I don't know how many of you know "Antenna Man", but he has a large following. I've been watching his youtube channel for years - sporadically anyway. The topic always revolves around free OTA (over the air):TV (television). Anyway, he's a smart dude in his field and in this episode he addresses again the possibility of free OTA TV going away... soon, and advises on how to file comments to the FCC against this proposal..
"The FCC has opened public comment on the NAB's proposal to shut down the current over the air TV standard, ATSC 1.0, in favor of ATSC 3.0 with DRM encryption. In this video, I advise how to properly form and submit a comment with the FCC so that your voice is properly heard..."
Its a similiar to the how auto manufacturers prefer to eliminate over the air radio stations reception in lue of a internet connected service.
So basically same situation except its TV.
@richpowers So does this mean the end of free over the air TV? Or is over the air just changing the system and you will need another converter box or something like that?
I can't say on this forum what I think of this! They can all go bleep bleep bleep....
Many put up a roof antenna to receive over the air TV and "cut the cord." They are really going to take this away?
Isn't it enshrined in law that there has to be over the air TV? There has to be public backlash about this.
Continuing what Rich posted here's something I came across even though new TVs have to have this. I never knew anything about this till now.
Again I can't say here what I think of this.
https://brokensignal.tv/pages/NAB_to_FCC_Shut_Down_ATSC_1_by_2028.html
And of course Canada will follow.
This about ATSC 3.0
"Unlike the current ATSC 1.0 standard, which guarantees free access to broadcast content, ATSC 3.0 incorporates sophisticated encryption capabilities. This technical feature would enable broadcasters to require subscription fees or one-time payments for content that has historically been available at no cost beyond the purchase of a television and antenna."
There are still free satellite channels (I think), although you need better gear to receive them.
Part 15 TV anyone?
There are still free satellite channels (I think), although you need better gear to receive them.
Part 15 TV anyone?
From AntiqueRadio:
Creating a Home TV Transmitter https://antiqueradio.org/HomeTVTransmitter.htm
":.. I prefer to watch television the "old fashioned way," with a rabbit ear antenna. I also like to use my vintage TVs anywhere in the house, free of wired connections. My solution is a home TV station... ..
Agile Modulator as Transmitter
Setting up this home station was easier than connecting a typical DVD player. The heart is a device called an "agile modulator," specifically a Blonder-Tongue model AM60-550A. I paid $26 for a surplus AM60-550A on eBay. It has ample power to antenna. Blonder-Tongue made a couple of different versions of this agile modulator..."
":.. I prefer to watch television the "old fashioned way," with a rabbit ear antenna. I also like to use my vintage TVs anywhere in the house, free of wired connections. My solution is a home TV station... ..
I agree with Rich. There has to be regular over the air terrestrial TV just like radio. I should be able to have a TV, LCD/LED whatever and get an antenna and get free over the air stations. I should not have to be forced to pay via subscription to a company. Same with radio. And the law should protect that right.
Rich, I don't know quite what you mean by a home TV station? What is an agile modulator?
Is this a receiver that gets a TV signal and transmits it to your TV?
":.. I prefer to watch television the "old fashioned way," with a rabbit ear antenna. I also like to use my vintage TVs anywhere in the house, free of wired connections. My solution is a home TV station... ..
I agree with Rich. There has to be regular over the air terrestrial TV just like radio. I should be able to have a TV, LCD/LED whatever and get an antenna and get free over the air stations. I should not have to be forced to pay via subscription to a company. Same with radio. And the law should protect that right.
Rich, I don't know quite what you mean by a home TV station? What is an agile modulator?
Is this a receiver that gets a TV signal and transmits it to your TV?
Mark, I didn't say that, that was an excerpt from the linked AntiqueRadios article/tutorial. "...that's why the qoutes.."
Rich, I don't know quite what you mean by a home TV station? What is an agile modulator?
Is this a receiver that gets a TV signal and transmits it to your TV?
This might be a little different than what Rich was linking to above, but it reminded me of this homelab youtuber who set up his own home cable setup with some of those Blonder Tongue modulators:
IIRC, in his case the signal is distributed via coax like regular cable, but maybe those units can attach to an antenna for OTA?
@richpowers Well, I agree that the law should protect the right to have over the air terrestrial TV broadcasting where you can always get a TV, buy an antenna and get stations same as radio. It's bad enough that the car makers want to eliminate free over the air radio to make you pay for apps and that should be stopped also. This is the trouble with digital broadcasting, the system is owned by a corporation and analog isn't. What has been forever historically should be preserved.
Rich, I don't know quite what you mean by a home TV station? What is an agile modulator?
Is this a receiver that gets a TV signal and transmits it to your TV?
I really don't know much about it, I only mentioned it because Artisian mentioned Part 15 TV. If you go to the linked article he explains everything in detail. The particular unit he preffered was one of the Blonder Tongue Laboratories AM Series Agile Modulators, he used the 550A but he explains the differences about the models, pro and con, so read the article for answers. I dont know much on it.
There are several on ebay https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Blonder+Tongue+Laboratories+AM+Series+Agile+Modulator+AM40-550A+&_trksid=m5467.l1311
@richpowers So does this mean the end of free over the air TV? Or is over the air just changing the system and you will need another converter box or something like that?...
The video explains everything better than I can, but yes, a converter box will be available so you can receive the signal OTA on incompatible TVs - however, that converter box must to be connected to the internet to enable that conversion, I think the OTA signal will still be free but it will be dependent on 5g internet if I'm correct.. Check out the video, he spells everything out.
Unfortunately, there is no Part15 TV per say.
You might be able to get away with the general Part 15 field strength regulations outside of the broadcast bands, but there are restricted freqencies.
The best you might be able to do is to 1) use one of these modulators and keep the power restricted to cover your home & yard only or 2) use the general license free bands, such as 900 Mhz and/or 2.4 Ghz, which are used by wireless video and audio senders.
I personally don't care about this issue, as I don't watch TV, but I can see why others are upset. When I did watch it, I was a cord cutter and used OTA.
It looks like free tv is on it's way out... The following is a heavily truncated version of todays REC Networks newsletter:
NAB's timetable is ambitious, but not in any way consumer friendly, especially for smaller markets that have not even started simulcasting.
REC has reviewed the recent proposal by the National Association of Broadcasters...in respect to the transition of broadcast television from the current ..(ATSC) version 1 to ATSC version 3 (ATSC3), also known under the registered trademark NEXTGEN TV.
ATSC3 is awesome technology…
ATSC3 is a vast improvement over the current ATSC1 standard which has been in place since the original transition to digital television. ATSC3 is designed to better harness the 6 MHz television channel bandwidth to provide better picture quality, better sound, more multicast services
but….
However, ATSC3 does have one major drawback. ATSC3 uses a multi-carrier technology within the 6 MHz channel where today’s ATSC1 uses a single carrier. This means that ATSC3 is not backwards compatible with ATSC1. In order to receive ATSC3 broadcasts, each consumer will have to either purchase a new television receiver that can pick up ATSC3 broadcasts or purchase a converter box that can be connected to an existing monitor or ATSC1 television receiver to receive ATSC3 broadcasts.
Because of the equipment change requirement, it will mean that consumers will have to pay for a new device. Unlike the digital television transition that took place many years ago, there is no government appropriation, no coupons. Those who do not purchase a NextGen (ATSC3) certified device will lose their ability to watch over the air television when ATSC1 broadcasts are discontinued..
NAB’s proposed timetable for an ATSC1 shutdown
The NAB and the consumer electronics industry are now pushing for the FCC to mandate a “drop dead” date for the end of the ATSC1 simulcasting and for each station to operate their own ATSC3 facilities. Once this “drop dead” data passes, current ATSC1 TV receivers will not be able to receive those channels over the air.
Under the NAB’s petition to the FCC, they are asking that this “drop dead” date be February, 2028...
Bottom Line
This is an unfunded mandate. The Commission needs to look at a transition plan that is pro-consumer and takes smaller broadcasters into consideration. Consumers need as much time as they can need to make this transition, but the transition must still happen.. just not as soon as the NAB wants. TV receivers must continue to have ATSC1 capabilities in addition to ATSC3 until all ATSC1 television facilities (primary, secondary and foreign) have transitioned....
The average person doesn't know anything about the technicalities of ATSC1 or 3 whatever.
All it means to them is forcing obsolescence with your current TV and forcing you to buy another for no reason other than everything has to keep changing for the sake of change.
I don't think from the article it means the end of over the air TV just change for the sake of change when there was nothing wrong with it before.
It's my understanding the converter boxes require an internet connection to convert the signal. Without the converter you will be unable to decode the signal, and the converter requires internet.
Now I realize everyone's on the net all the time anyway, so what difference does it make if your tv requires it too?
Well in my own case my internet has been my cellphone for at least the last 3 years.. I don't want to be using my limited high speed data up because I'm watching tv. I get a reliable 40 channels of free tv in my area. It's not going to be free anymore if I have to start using my phonrs internet..
I guess I sound silly. I'm not even entirely clear on the matter but from the previous cited sources that is the impression I get.