Second Part of NAB Show: Emphasis on Reinforcing ATSC 3.0 Adoption
In the ever-evolving world of broadcasting, the latest advancements in ATSC 3.0 distribution systems are causing a stir. SuperFrank Copsidas, a well-known figure in the industry, recently received a construction permit to move his LPTV station in San Diego to a UHF channel, potentially paving the way for a request for approval for 5G Broadcast after the move.
However, the shift towards ATSC 3.0 and the integration of IP-based delivery pose several challenges. One of the main issues is the complexity of monitoring and delivering content in this converged ecosystem. With problems that can arise at various stages—from production to broadcast or IP distribution—end-to-end monitoring solutions are essential to track issues across all stages, including transcoding and encryption.
Another challenge lies in the use of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) over the internet for ATSC 3.0 distribution. UDP's connectionless nature can lead to packet loss and jitter, impacting video quality. To overcome these issues, advanced protocols such as SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) and RIST (Reliable Internet Stream Transport) are increasingly being used. These protocols provide error correction, packet retransmission, and encryption over IP networks, improving the robustness of ATSC 3.0 distribution systems.
The implementation of Digital Rights Management (DRM) in ATSC 3.0 also presents complications, with consumer devices potentially facing compatibility issues and limited content accessibility due to DRM standards.
Despite these challenges, there are improvements on the horizon. Broadcasters are progressing towards integrated monitoring strategies that cover the entire content chain, from production to final delivery, including IP-based contributions and distribution. This holistic monitoring helps quickly identify and resolve issues affecting quality of experience, regardless of whether the content is delivered over traditional broadcast or IP.
Moreover, the industry is pushing for the transition and standardization of ATSC 3.0, with organisations such as the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) petitioning the FCC to accelerate the ATSC 3.0 transition. This push is likely to drive further improvements in distribution infrastructure and protocols, supporting widespread NextGen TV deployment across major markets.
The NAB Show this year showcased improvements in existing products and software to better support ATSC 3.0, with 5G Broadcast equipment on display from OMB and Televes. The GTMedia HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 USB tuner, a new device for ATSC 3.0 reception, was also featured, with prices ranging from $40-$70 on various online platforms.
In a future column, we will delve into the intricacies of TV receive antennas, focusing on using physics to evaluate antennas based on their appearance rather than miles of coverage.
As the ATSC 3.0 ecosystem continues to evolve, it's clear that the industry is addressing the challenges head-on, ensuring a smooth transition to the next generation of broadcasting.
- The broadcaster SuperFrank Copsidas is venturing into the UHF channel, at the LPTV station in San Diego, aiming to facilitate a potential request for approval for 5G Broadcast after the move.
- The convergence of ATSC 3.0 and IP-based delivery has unveiled complexities in monitoring and delivering content across various stages, necessitating end-to-end monitoring solutions.
- To combat packet loss and jitter issues when using User Datagram Protocol (UDP) for ATSC 3.0 distribution, advanced protocols like SRT and RIST are being adopted, providing error correction, packet retransmission, and encryption over IP networks.
- Digital Rights Management (DRM) in ATSC 3.0 presents challenges, with consumer devices potentially encountering compatibility issues and limited content accessibility due to DRM standards.
- Broadcasters are moving towards integrated monitoring strategies that encompass the entire content chain, ensuring quick identification and resolution of issues impacting the quality of experience.
- Organisations like the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) are urging the FCC to expedite the ATSC 3.0 transition, aiming to drive improvements in distribution infrastructure and protocols for NextGen TV deployment in major markets.
- This year's NAB Show featured advancements in products and software supporting ATSC 3.0, with 5G Broadcast equipment and the GTMedia HDTV Mate ATSC 3.0 USB tuner on display.
- TV receive antennas will be the focus of a future column, with an emphasis on using physics to evaluate antennas based on their appearance rather than miles of coverage.
- As the ATSC 3.0 ecosystem progresses, it is evident that the industry is tackling the challenges head-on, ensuring a smooth transition to the future of broadcasting.
- The advancements in data-and-cloud-computing technology and finance sectors will continue to play crucial roles in the manufacturing industry's growth and finds its applications in ATSC 3.0 and IP transmission.
