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Here in the United States we use a technology standard called ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) for digital, over-the-air (free-to-air) television broadcasts. Sometime this year, hopefully, we'll migrate all TV signals off of the legacy analog system and on to ATSC. Once that happens, we'll certainly need to be planning for the "next big thing." From what we can tell the ATSC is already moving on defining what will come next in high definition.

What's Next in High Definition?

As much as we'd like it to, it doesn't appear that the next few ideas out of the ATSC will add new video resolutions. Unfortunately we won't see the definition of EHDTV (Even Higher Definition Television) or HSDTV (Holy Smokes Definition Television) in the near future. What we will see are three new proposed standards:
  • ATSC-H/M : delivery of programming to handheld and mobile devices
  • ATSC-NRT : "Non Real Time" delivery of programming and other content
  • ATSC-2.0 : A suite of new services for conventional fixed DTV receivers
ATSC-H (Handheld) and ATSC-M (Mobile) appear to be very similar to us casual observers from the outside. There could be some distinct technical differences, but we'll group them together for our purposes. The goal is to provide content specifically formatted for smaller screens on the same RF channels the broadcasters are already using. Now there's a sub-channel we can go for: a really low bandwidth stream so we can watch TV anywhere. It wouldn't need to steal much from the HDTV signal, so it's a win-win all around.

In addition to traditional broadcast video, the ATSC is hoping to add support for stuff like non-real-time content download for later playback, mobile and handheld subscription based TV, video on demand (VOD), pay per view (PPV), and even real time navigation. Because of these added features, they're already talking about concepts like DRM, conditional access and content protection. Hopefully they don't talk too long on that subject.

Another cool idea is the ability to "hand off" a signal. We presume it means you wouldn't get any service interruptions transitioning from one broadcast tower to another, but that seems very tricky. Both towers would need to be broadcasting the same content at the same time. Odds are that will be hit or miss. Of course the "hand off" could also be for the non-real-time content where your devices gets handed off to a WiFi or cellular network.

ATSC-NRT (Non-Real-Time) is the traditional broadcast equivalent of what they're hoping to also include in the mobile and handheld standards. The NRT technology would allow traditional broadcaster to enter the VOD market, and potentially even allow for DVR like access to programming without the need for a physical DVR. They've seen the consumer shift away from linear viewing habits and are trying to respond to the on demand world. Potential applications could be full show requests, specialized news/weather/sports videos, geo-targeted advertising, supplemental information and even downloading games or music.

ATSC-2.0 is where things get even fuzzier, but potentially even more exciting. Officially "ATSC 2.0 will be a complete suite of next generation services for the conventional fixed DTV receiver viewing environment." It is still in the planning phases, so who knows how long it may take. The ATSC first met in 1983 and here we are 26 years later, still delaying the implementation. Who knows how long it will take for ATSC-2.0 to make it to our homes. Some potentials for inclusion in the standard are: ACAP (Advanced Common Application Platform) and NRT (Non Real Time), enhancements for fixed indoor reception, new video codecs (AVC).

ACAP will be the platform that all broadcast based interactive applications will run on. It looks very similar to OCAP (Open Cable Application Platform) or even the Yahoo! Widget Engine. In fact, it is supposed to be fully compatible and interoperable with OCAP. Which begs the question: do we really need two standards? Beyond ACAP and NRT, ATSC is also looking at advanced video options. Some rumors are that AVC will be added to the mix, others suggest 1080p/60 will make it. There's even talk of 3-D being included in the new spec. We'll have to just wait and see.

At least we know the ATSC isn't content to sit back and hope for another 40 years of the same broadcast standard. Of course, it could be that all the pressure from Cable, Satellite and Internet based video delivery are putting some real pressure on the broadcast industry. They need to work hard to make sure over the air terrestrial broadcasts remain relevant. Of course it might be worth while to work with some of the other groups to create common standards instead of inventing new ones, but we're just saying...