Computer Help and Support

MR. ELECTABLE

(218 posts)

5. It's incompatible because ATSC is 20 years old

Sat Oct 14, 2017, 10:01 PM

Oct 2017

ATSC (the broadcast spec for HDTV) was adopted in 1996, even though a lot of people didn't get high def TVs until the late 2000's. Compare the state of viewing video over the internet in 1996 to today to give an idea of how much compression technology has improved over the last 20 years. Right now everything on HDTV is broadcast in mpeg 2, which is basically the same format found on a DVD. This is not a very good compression which is why ATSC is currently limited to 720p or 1080i.

Just like with the previous transition, I would assume the adoption of more up to date modulation schemes and mpeg-5 compression will take a lot of time once it is kicked off, at least 10 years. This is because it will require another round of television equipment upgrades to support the new standards. So either way this will not affect us for a long time.

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FCC Commissioner blasts new TV standard as a 'household tax' [View all] steve2470 Oct 2017 OP

Is this right?? More info for tech dummies bobbieinok Oct 2017 #1

I would recommend reading the entire article at the link steve2470 Oct 2017 #2

Brings broadcast up to current high end tv standards HAB911 Oct 2017 #3

A lot of us don't need or want higher TV standards. eppur_se_muova Oct 2017 #4

It's incompatible because ATSC is 20 years old MR. ELECTABLE Oct 2017 #5

My wife and I abandoned broadcast-cable-satellite television years ago. hunter Oct 2017 #6