ATSC 3.0 vs ATSC 1.0

ATSC 3.0 is on its way. This will replace the ATSC 1.0 standard we have had since 2009. There never was, nor ever will be an ATSC 2.0 due to the excitement from the developers about 3.0. So what’s the difference between ATSC 3.0 vs ATSC 1.0? Basically, ATSC 3.0 standard will allow you to interact with your TV in ways you could not before. I personally find it to be moreso appealing to advertisers than end-users. For example, you will be able to “Learn More” about a commercial product from the click of your remote. However, I don’t share the enthusiasm with the ATSC developers, and here’s why:

ATSC 3.0 Interactivity

TV has always been used as a pass time. The majority of people like to turn the TV on, find something within seconds, put the remote down, and relax. The more TVs become interactive, the less people want to watch them. At least in my observation. We have phones, tablets, iPads, and computers for interactive media. And many of us are already annoyed by ads. So to be able to interact with commercials on a TV seems retroactive to me. I see it as being another useless feature of Smart TVs. But that’s just me, perhaps. So, one of the biggest differences between ATSC 3.0 vs ATSC 1.0 is that we will be able to interact with commercials just like on our phones.

ATSC 3.0 needs the Internet

Furthermore, ATSC 3.0 vs ATSC 1.0 is that ATSC 3.0 will require an internet connection for use of some of the features. It is unclear at this time if ATSC 3.0 will work at all WITHOUT internet. So I highly dislike the lack of transparency of this new technology announcement. Not all antenna program viewers have or want the Internet outside of their phones. Some people are still unable to get Internet Access in rural and remote areas. And most elder clientele does not like complicated technology. Ironically, over 25% of antenna viewers are over 65 years old. The majority are families with young children living in the home.

What’s more? It’s already being tested in many broadcast regions. And to date, you need the newest HDHomeRun DVR box or a newer Sony TV in order to get the ATSC 3.0 Stations. As a technician, I was able to tune them in on a Sony TV for a customer in the summer of 2021. However, to great disappointment, all of the ATSC 3.0 stations came in blank.

Furthermore, the Sony TV I was tuning, preferred the ATSC 3.0 stations over the regular ATSC 1.0 stations. The TV also automatically deleted the ATSC 1.0 networks and left ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox networks on the blank ATSC 3.0 channels. It took me a few minutes to figure out what was going on, but I eventually figured out that you have to go into the Channel Manager of the Sony menu and select the ATSC 1.0 channels and deselect the ATSC 3.0 channels. What’s more, there is no way to know the difference between the channels. One just has to assume the blank channels selected were all ATSC 3.0 and deselect them.

Do I have to use ATSC 3.0?

And as you may have figured out by now, you will need to eventually upgrade your TV to a new ATSC 3.0 standard or get an external compatible tuner box. This will be much like the 2009 transition from analog to digital. Except, we will be transitioning from ATSC 1.0 digital to ATSC 3.0 digital. But don’t worry, it will be a few years before they get the bugs worked out. Plus, TV stations still have to broadcast in ATSC 1.0 for a minimum of 5 years after the tech is ready. However, judging by how long many of them kept analog broadcasts even after the 2009 digital switch, the Transition will likely be between a 10-15 year full transition. So as you can tell, I am not impressed with ATSC 3.0 at all.

Anyways, ATSC 3.0 is something to consider when buying a new TV in the future. As of to date, Sony is the only one with built-in ATSC 3.0. And I do not have Sony TVs at the top of my list for cord-cutters for various reasons. Regardless, don’t let any of this scare you away from cutting the cord or from buying any new TV you want. It’s all part of the process of a society moving forward. Growing pains are a part of our advancing technological age. Furthermore, the Cable and Satellite providers will likely incorporate their own versions of interactive TV as well. So you are still ahead of the game by at least not having to pay a monthly bill with an antenna. At least you won’t have a high recurring bill to be annoyed by commercials in a whole new way.