ATSC 3.0 Q & A - Part 2
Q. Do I need a new antenna for ATSC 3.0 signal?
A. No, all existing Digital HDTV OTA antennas are already capable of receiving ATSC 3.0 broadcasts. The number of stations you can receive will depend on various conditions like weather, your distance to the broadcast tower, and local geography. A more capable antenna might improve your reception.
Q. Is an internet connection necessary for ATSC 3.0?
A. Nope. Although ATSC 3.0 over-the-air (OTA) broadcasts are designed to complement content delivered via the Internet, you don't actually need an Internet connection. By simply using your antenna along with an ATSC 3.0 tuner, you can enjoy all the local stations broadcasting in this new format. However, to access some of the more exciting features of ATSC 3.0, like personalized ads, on-demand content, interactive options, and premium content, you'll need to connect to the internet.
It's important to note that ATSC 3.0 isn't set in stone and is still being actively developed. As a result, new features might be introduced at any moment. In such cases, your ATSC 3.0 tuner will need a software update, which will most likely necessitate an internet connection.
Q. Do I need to buy a new TV?
A. The simple answer is "nope." As mentioned earlier, if your TV doesn't support ATSC 3.0, you can still use an external converter box. However, these boxes might be difficult to find, especially in the beginning.
If you're looking to buy a new TV and want to ensure it's future-proof, several TV manufacturers, such as LG, Sony, Samsung, and now Hisense, offer ATSC 3.0-compatible TVs for the U.S. market.
LG, a company actively involved in ATSC 3.0's development, will provide ATSC 3.0 compatibility on both its G2 and Z2 OLED TV models. Hisense plans to include ATSC 3.0 on all its 2022 TVs, excluding the U6 series.
Q. Is there a guide to prepare for ATSC 3.0?
A. We found this info to be helpful - ATSC 3.0 Prep Guide