Snark alert. I’m having a hard time getting excited about shiny new broadcast tech.
Sadly, Seattle have many homeless at nearly every highway underpass and it becomes one of the first cities to adopt ATSC 3.0 brining over the air 4K programming.
ATSC 3.0 is now live in Seattle, with seven stations broadcasting with the NextGen TV transmission standard. The local stations that are now transmitting with ATSC 3.0 include KOMO-TV (ABC), KIRO-TV (CBS), KCPQ (Fox), KING-TV (NBC), KONG (Ind.), KZJO (MyNet) and KUNS-TV (Univision). The list includes all of Seattle’s major broadcasters.
ATSC 3.0 is Live in Seattle | Cord Cutters News
If you’re wondering what ATSC 3.0 is, it’s basically the newest version of cabling specs, allowing higher speeds and increased quality for all these new 4K and soon 8K televisions.
It’s great to know Seattle — the hotbed of COVID-19 in our state — wants to focus on improving technology, keeping our flagship city on the cutting edge of tech, but, seriously, who is pushing for this ATSC 3.0 standard right now?
Priorities, priorities. Maybe I’ve got this wrong, feel free to vent in the comments if you’re ecstatic that TV stations are upgrading to ATSC 3.0.
I’ve sat on this for a couple weeks, mulling over if this even was worth posting, but it does give me a chance to point out that if you’re visiting Seattle any time soon, you’ll see homeless people everywhere in addition to enjoying ATSC 3.0, if you even want to watch our local TV channels.
Movies, Movies, Movies 
If I may comment, calling ATSC 3.0 “cabling specs” implies to me that it is for CableTV, when in fact it is the new specification for television OTA (Over The Air, i.e. from the broadcaster to your home antenna). Thus, it is the local stations to whom this is applicable, as you point out, and free for life after the cost of the antenna plus probably a “set-top box” to sort out the signal.
I have only read bits and pieces about ATSC 3.0, or the design coming from something called the Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC). 4K and 8K content are probably the first highlight to mention, just as you did. Longer range to reach more homes (from what I read) is the next.
Another upside, I believe, is that it will apparently integrate with the Wi-Fi in your home to put the signal into any room. The downside is that it is “built” to customize the “experience” for each home/viewer. Translated, that means it will operate like much (all?) of the internet, delivering targeted advertising derived from tracking your viewing behavior and other profile data. Boo!
I think ATSC 3.0 is a milestone for Seattle to celebrate. In the vein of movie disclaimers, it likely can be said, “No people were rendered homeless by the implementation of ATSC 3.0” (by private companies). Please do not take offense, but I don’t see why the two issues would be connected. Thanks for posting the news.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cabling specs might be a misnomer, but they are running cable to make this spec happen. At least to the dishes 😉
The reason the two are connected — and no offense taken — is that Seattle the city prioritizes being a technical hub over taking care of the many social ills surrounding and infesting the city. Not saying you have to live here to see this, but you kind of do.
It’s like Hollywood and Los Angeles. Lots and lots and LOTS of homeless there … and mansions of the rich and famous.
The city governments are often mismanaged and misguided.
As for the tech itself, I agree that it’s cool — for the future. But how many people even have 8K TVs right now? Very, very tiny, hence my title emphasizing “right now” as the very first words.
Sure, bring on this tech, but is it the most pressing thing the city needs done right now? No way. We’ve lived in this area for almost 40 years now, can tell you that it’s very sad what’s happened to the city.
Hope that makes the connection a little clearer 🙂 As always, thank you for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a thoughtful reply to my comment, which is much appreciated. Carry on! As you were (saying)!!
LikeLike