The coalition of US broadcasters that are transitioning their transmission system to ATSC 3.0 has welcomed CES 2022 announcements by Hisense and MediaTek and results achieved by Sony Electronics at the “Motown 3.0 Open Test Track” in Detroit.
The tests by Sony’s HES-A engineering team has been exploring the options for using the ATSC NEXT GEN TV protocol in cars and stationary devices simultaneously.
Sony Electronics has successfully demonstrated robust automotive services using its CXD2885 chip named “CLOVER” on the Test Track in the summer of 2021. The latest achievements include Audio/visual media files transmitted and delivered to devices while travelling at highway speeds; transmitters in separate markets working in tandem provided a seamless transition of audio/visual content and successful file reception completed with multiple antennas.
“Sony’s results prove that transformative advances in core TV broadcast technologies made possible by ATSC 3.0 give terrestrial broadcasters new ways to deliver infotainment and IP data services to an infinite number of vehicles – and the displays and devices in them – simultaneously, whether on-the-go or in the garage,” said Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, a broadcaster coalition managing the NEXTGEN TV rollout.
Currently broadcasting in more than 40 markets covering 45% of the US population, NEXTGEN TV is expected to reach 75% of US households by the summer. According to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), overall 2021 sales of NEXTGEN TVs more than tripled last year’s original forecast, with 3 million units shipped by manufacturers. CTA is projecting 2022 NEXTGEN TV sales of 4.5 million units, as the number of TV makers endorsing the hybrid over-the-air and over-the-top ATSC 3.0 technology continues to grow.
“NEXTGEN TV has garnered remarkable traction in a relatively short time since the first commercial launch in early 2020, proving that watching TV is more than just one of America’s favorite pastimes. Television is our source for news, entertainment and access to our communities and the broader world,” said Schelle. “NEXTGEN TV enhances broadcast TV and is a critical technology to the preservation of free, over-the-air local news. We’re very happy to be back at CES, showcasing NEXTGEN TV’s role at the forefront of the evolution of broadcast television and the changes in consumer perception of it.”
Hisense has announced it is integrating NEXTGEN TV technology into select new Smart TV models. Hisense will introduce the U9H, U8H and U7 models in Q3, starting at $799.99. Hisense joins other manufacturers—Sony, Samsung and LG Electronics—which already, combined, have more than 70 models available at retail.
Meanwhile, MediaTek has signed a test agreement with Pearl TV to speed the implementation of the ATSC 3.0 standard among leading television brands through a total solution that includes ATSC 3.0 demodulator (MT9100), a comprehensive Smart TV system on chip (SoC) family that ranges from entry 4K to premium 8K, and a ready-to-go software stack for both Android and Linux.
