ATSC 3.0 is now live. South Korean broadcasters have launched the advanced TV broadcasting transmission format, and TV stations across the United States are putting deployment plans in place. ATSC 3.0, now referred to as "NextGen TV," is prominently featured at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. Professional equipment vendors are demonstrating market-ready 3.0 gear. The consumer electronics industry is stepping up with compatible receivers. The technology standard itself is nearing completion and federal regulators are seeking the path of least resistance.
The ATSC 3.0 standard itself is actually a portfolio of around 20 separate standards addressing audio, video, captioning, transport, signal characteristics and so forth. The FCC is considering approval of just the foundation of the standard, so broadcasters can consider 3.0-capable equipment in the repack, then ultimately leverage the technology in whatever way best suits their operation—whether it's Ultra HD, immersive sound, multiple-language programming, data downloads or gaming apps. In "25 More Things to Know About ATSC 3.0," we'll answer the following questions:
Where does ATSC 3.0 stand with the FCC? What is the status of 3.0 on the world stage? What happened at NAB 2017? What comprises the ATSC 3.0 standard? Are receivers ready for the market? What are some options for transitioning to 3.0? What does 3.0 do for the emergency alert process?
