As mentioned in our latest article, U.S. TV broadcasting is in the midst of a digital OTA broadcasting system transition from ATSC 1.0 (carried out in 2009) to ATSC 3.0 (aka NEXTGEN TV).
Here’s a fast rundown on NEXGEN TV options:
- Assist for over-the-air digital broadcasting in 4K UHD decision in addition to the flexibility to simulcast HD and SD sub-channels throughout the similar bandwidth.
- Accommodates HDR and Vast Shade Gamut.
- As much as 120 fps video transmission.
- Immersive audio (together with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X), a number of language tracks, and different audio codecs as designated.
- 3D video transmission (max 1080p).
- Over-the-air and broadband transmission of programming and supplementary content material for cellular and internet-enabled gadgets.
- Improved Emergency Alert System for the climate, pure disasters, or different key occasions.
- Safe digital copy-protection (watermarking) for content material homeowners and suppliers (just like what HDCP gives for HDMI).
To dig deeper confer with our reference article linked to on the high of this web page.
To assist NEXTGEN entry for customers, choose LG, Samsung, Sony, and Hisense TVs embrace ATSC 3.0 tuners and there are additionally exterior set-top add-on tuners out there as an choice as nicely. Extra TV and set-top manufacturers are anticipated to hitch in as issues progress.
Sluggish Implementation
Up to now, the adoption of NEXTGEN TV has been gradual. Since it’s voluntary, many TV broadcast stations haven’t been in a rush to make the monetary funding into new tools, and, likewise, TV makers haven’t been in a rush to include the brand new tuners that will permit TV viewers to obtain the brand new indicators.
Additionally, set-top field makers have likewise not made sufficient add-on tuner packing containers out there that will permit present TV homeowners to benefit from what NEXTGEN TV has to supply.
LG Simply Made Issues Worse
LG has positioned one other impediment in assist of NEXTGEN TV adoption as they’ve introduced that ATSC 3.0 tuners won’t be included in its high-end LCD-based and OLED TVs for 2024 after having included them for the previous few years.
Nevertheless, LG has submitted a letter to the FCC indicating that the price of particular patents wanted for compliance has prompted it to desert its assist of ATSC 3.0 presently.
Patents Controversy
The patents in query are held by Constellation Designs, LLC. which reportedly cowl a number of the compliance facets for the ATSC 3.0 customary. Nevertheless, reportedly these patents weren’t included with the remainder of the ATSC 3.0 licensing bundle. In consequence, LG and another producer that desires to incorporate ATSC 3.0 in its merchandise have to barter a separate licensing take care of Constellation Designs exterior of the royalty charges which are already being paid to the ATSC 3.0 patent group.
LG efficiently negotiated this deal beforehand so they may embrace ATSC 3.0 tuners in choose TVs. Nevertheless, LG is now claiming that Constellation Designs has elevated its royalty charge from $3 to $6.75 per TV.
LG claims that this violates the preliminary licensing coverage for the usage of ATSC expertise because the plan was to holders set charges on a “cheap and non-discriminatory” (RAND) foundation.
When LG took Constellation Designs to Courtroom, the case was determined in Constellation Designs’ favor.
In consequence, LG has introduced that on account of what it sees as unjust elevated price, it should drop ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV tuners from its high-end LCD-based and OLED TVs for 2024.
Implications of LG’s Determination
Though this might have long-term implications concerning customers having the ability to entry NEXTGEN TV broadcasts, with out having to spend more cash and put up with extra cable muddle to entry NEXTGEN TV broadcasts as they turn into out there, there’s a risk that this might get resolved earlier than CES in January when new TVs are introduced, together with these from LG.
Two elements in play which will ease the state of affairs within the brief time period:
- LG has appealed the courtroom’s determination.
- The FCC might alter the time that the present ATSC 1.0 broadcasting will stay out there.
Tip: ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV Market Map
LG, The FCC, and Pearl TV
LG has despatched a letter to the FCC that features the next feedback:
“LG strongly urges the Fee to acknowledge the function of patents and the rights of each patent licensors and licensees and particularly their influence on the rollout of NextGen TV merchandise in america. We urge the Fee to proceed its inquiry on this space and to acknowledge the advantages of RAND conduct. The Fee might want to study the results of patents held by patent holders that haven’t dedicated to providing their patents underneath RAND phrases.” Learn all the letter (pdf).
This may positively be a subject of debate on the subsequent CES to be held in January 2024.
From Anne Schelle, Pearl TV’s Managing Director: LG’s determination to droop assist for NEXTGEN TV merchandise in 2024 due to an ongoing patent dispute is unlucky, however we’re hopeful that the matter might be resolved. We’re anticipating that extra TV producers will probably be including NEXTGEN TV as a brand new function within the coming months. As with all expertise transition, success is a transferring goal. We’re happy to see that the biggest media market within the nation – New York Metropolis – is about to launch NEXTGEN TV service from two totally different transmission towers. Customers are shopping for hundreds of NEXTGEN TV receivers – each tv units and improve accent receivers – and the trade is on monitor to cumulatively promote 10 million receivers by the top of this 12 months.“
Tip: Pearl TV is a enterprise group of U.S. broadcast corporations closely invested in selling the adoption of ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV broadcasting and associated applied sciences.
From Wells Fargo Media Market Analyst Steven Cahall: “LG has been ATSC 3.0-forward in its designs… whereas some retailers have reported that Samsung and Sony may drop ATSC 3.0 tech, there’s no proof of that and we expect TV OEMs like the longer term promoting optionality of the brand new broadcast customary“.
That is positively a seamless story – will probably be fascinating to see how different TV makers within the ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV tuner adoption camp (Samsung, Sony, Hisense) react.
