LAS VEGAS—Advanced HDR by Technicolor has announced the integration of its technology into NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) receivers from BitRouter and Zinwell.

Manufactured by BitRouter, ZapperBox is a NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) and ATSC 1.0 receiver that delivers an optimized viewing experience in high dynamic range (HDR) while enabling the seamless transition from standard dynamic range (SDR) to HDR over free NextGen TV broadcasts.

“Features such as 4K and HDR have driven consumers to expect excellent image quality from their received video content. At the same time, video consumption has never been higher,” said Gopal Miglani, the founder and president of BitRouter. “The partnership between BitRouter and Advanced HDR by Technicolor along with others in the ecosystem is a strategic step that supports the growing availability of NextGen TV content in HDR and consumers’ ability to access that content through HDR-enabled, ATSC 3.0-ready TV receivers.”

The new capability is expected to be available in new quad tuners by the end of March; dual tuner devices will be updated for free at the same time, according to a Bitrouter spokesperson.

The Zinwell team is already working with Philips, one of the developers of Advanced HDR by Technicolor, to integrate the Advanced HDR by Technicolor solution to Zinwell’s conversion box powered by Amlogic system-on-chip. System optimization is also underway as well as testing to ensure compatibility with broadcaster workflows and various display devices. The company said its boxes will soon become available for purchase in the U.S.

“Consumers increasingly expect higher picture quality across platforms, while broadcasters are moving toward advanced video formats with the rollout of ATSC 3.0,” said Paul Wu, vice president of sales division III at Zinwell. “HDR has become a vital feature for delivering a premium viewing experience. The incorporation of the Advanced HDR by Technicolor solution enables Zinwell to meet evolving consumer demands.”

“Zinwell’s integration of Advanced HDR plays a significant role in these early days of ATSC 3.0 adoption,” said Rick Dumont, head of business development for Advanced HDR by Technicolor. “HDR-enabled conversion boxes, such as Zinwell’s product line, allow consumers with non ATSC 3.0 TVs to enjoy premium viewing experiences in HDR from an ATSC 3.0 broadcast. As the ecosystem makes the shift to ATSC 3.0, HDR capabilities continue to grow.”

“Device manufacturers across the industry are recognizing the impact that HDR has on consumer perception of video content,” Dumont added.

“ATSC 3.0 services continue to expand across America, generating the need for HDR-enabled conversion boxes and displays,” said Matthew Goldman, vice president of strategic and technical initiatives for Sinclair, Inc, which implements Advanced HDR by Technicolor in over 100 ATSC 3.0 channels across the US, as well as on Sinclair’s digital channels. “HDR offers an exciting picture improvement to television services, and Sinclair has deployed more HDR channels than every other broadcaster combined. This partnership between Zinwell and Advanced HDR by Technicolor is an important step for building an ecosystem where consumers can enjoy NEXTGEN TV content in HDR.”

Red Bee Media, in conjunction with TitanTV, Inc., has signed a multiyear agreement with BitRouter, a leading provider of software for NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0 receivers. TitanTV will provide Red Bee’s data to BitRouter for integration into its ZapperBox products  and services to end users, including BitRouter’s provision of DVR listings information derived program schedules while streamlining their content discovery process. 

"We are excited to embark on this transformative journey with BitRouter and TitanTV," said  Jason Marchese, Head of Sales, Market Area Americas, at Red Bee Media. "Our dedication to  delivering top-tier data solutions aligns perfectly with the goals of this agreement as we will  offer viewers an enriched and seamless experience." 

TitanTV's listings service will span all 210 DMAs, providing program listings metadata for over the-air channel lineups. These lineups will encompass TitanTV’s Signal Prediction  Services with predicted channels to be received within a specific DMA, ensuring  comprehensive coverage for nationwide viewers. Furthermore, 14 days of scheduled  program data will be made available for the OTA lineups, enhancing the viewing experience  for users. 

“This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to enhancing the television  experience,” said Gopal Miglani, President of BitRouter. “By integrating Red Bee's data and  TitanTV's comprehensive listings service into our ZapperBox products, we enable viewers to  access daily schedules while ensuring a smoother content discovery experience for audiences  across the nation.” 

TitanTV, a valued partner of Red Bee since 2002, provides online  software and information broadcasters including  real-time tools for signal prediction,  MediaStar Scheduler, PSIP Data Services, ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV ESG Data and rich media  services, online guides and more. 

LAS VEGAS—China-based chipmaker Geniatech and Bitrouter, a Des Moines, Iowa-based software developer, have announced the availability of TennaTV, a turnkey ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 1.0 tuner solution based on combined technology from the two companies. The solution, introduced at CES 2023, (Jan 5-8), includes hardware, software and back-end support that enable fast deployment of rich viewing experiences for ATSC tuner devices.

The ATSC tuner is certified for Dolby MS12v2 and Dolby AC-4. It uses Geniatech's ATV698 MAX set-top box platform running Android 11 and BitRouter's ATSC 3.0/1.0 TennaTV system. The TennaTV system includes a full-featured app with back-end cloud support for software updates, device management and subscription management, according to the companies.

The ATV698 MAX can be seen at Geniatech booth 52729 at the Venetian Expo Hall at CES. The ATV698 MAX platform with TennaTV is expected to be available with support for DVR and ATSC copy protection during the second quarter of 2023.

BitRouter's founder and president, Gopal Miglani, said, "The ATV698 MAX with TennaTV offers a path to NextGen TV logo-certified accessories for the existing installed base of over 300 million TV receivers within the United States. It offers unparalleled picture quality for 4K and upconverted 4K outputs."

Geniatech's founder and president, Jijun Fang, said, "The ATV698 MAX offers a flexible platform with single-, dual- and quad-tuner options, Dolby AC-4 audio and DVR with USB 3.0, USB 2.0, micro-SD card, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interfaces. This hardware, combined with BitRouter's TennaTV system is a powerful solution that enables broadcasters and product manufacturers to bring the ATSC 3.0 viewing experience to their customers."

NEW YORK—BitRouter has concluded successful beta trials of its ZapperBox M1 ATSC 1.0/3.0 receiver in nearly all NextGen TV markets in the United States as well as in Jamaica.

The company and Hitachi-Comark are both showing the ZapperBox M1 in their respective booths at the 2022 NAB Show New York, which concludes today.

Each new ZapperBox ships with the latest version of the ATSC3pak software, which implements both the ATSC 3.0 and 1.0 standards and is currently available for Android and Linux. All existing ZapperBox units also are being updated with the latest software, it said.

"We are excited to move towards upgrading existing ZapperBox devices with Pause TV and 14-day guide data subscriptions by the end of 2022. Support for full DVR, MPEG Media Transport (MMT) and copy-protected content will follow in the first quarter of 2023," said company president and founder Gopal Miglani.

The company also has launched a new e-commerce platform for direct-to-consumer sales of its product suite. It will for a limited time offer free shipping for orders placed on the ZapperBox website, the company said.

See BitRouter at 2022 NAB Show New York booth 1933.

See Hitachi-Comark at 2022 NAB Show New York booth 831.

More information is available on the BitRouter website. 

LAS VEGAS—BitRouter today announced the availability of the Android app version of its ATSC 3.0 software at CES 2022.

The ATV app can be ported to any Android device supporting ATSC tuners and a Dolby AC-4 certified system on a chip (SoC), the company said.

The company’s ATSC3pak Linus-based ATSC 3.0 solution is currently deployed in 15 NextGen TV markets, it said.

"The simultaneous availability of ATV for Android and Linux along with our prototype datacasting receiver shows the versatility of our ATSC3pak software," said Gopal Miglani, President and founder of BitRouter. "Our solution empowers manufacturers to target the NextGen TV opportunity with minimum upfront investment."

With ATV, BitRouter now offers an ATSC 3.0 solution for both Linux and Android, with the same user interface and features on both platforms. These include support for:

• ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 1.0
• ROUTE/DASH
• Multiple tuners
• Grid guide
• Software updates
• Signed tables
• Multi-PLP broadcasts
• Channel scan
• Captions
• HDMI output with Dolby AC-4 audio

During CES, BitRouter will be conducting virtual demonstrations of the ATV app over Zoom, from Jan. 5-7, from 9 a.m. to 5. PST. Appointments are available online.

More information is available on the company's website. 

WASHINGTON—CES 2021 has wrapped up, but not before a number of new technologies and TV sets designed for the ATSC 3.0-powered NextGen TV standard were highlighted.

Prior to CES 2021, there were more than 20 TV models that were ATSC 3.0 compatible and available on the market, primarily from LG, Samsung and Sony. During the virtual conference, LG and Sony announced new TVs to add to those that are NextGen TV ready.

All of the TV models that Sony introduced as part of its Bravia XR line are ATSC 3.0 compatible. This includes the MASTER Series Z9J 8K LED TV models; MASTER Series A90J OLED TVs; A80J OLED TVs; X95J 4K LED TVs; and X92 and X90J 4K LED TVs. In total, between the different sizes available, Sony has 16 new models available that support NextGen TV.

LG, meanwhile, did not provide specific details on what, or how many, models now feature NextGen TV support, but it says that all of its new 2021 4K and 8K UHD TVs—which come in 55-, 65-, 77- and 88-inch sizes—are ATSC 3.0 compatible. In addition, LG says it has integrated the HD HomeRun app into its new webOS 6.0 smart TV platform, interfacing with the ATSC 3.0 receiver in the HD HomeRun Connect gateway device. The new OS is included in LG’s 2021 OLED, QNED and Nanocell 4K and 8K TV models.

Samsung, meanwhile, provided no new TVs that support ATSC 3.0, but continues to sell their previously announced models.

“The stars are aligning to make 2021 the tipping point for NextGen TV powered by ATSC 3.0,” said Dr. Jong Kim, senior vice president, LG Electronics and president of LG’s Zenith R&D Lab.

In addition, BitRouter announced during CES that its ZapperBox platform is now available to be licensed by other brands and that ZapperBox itself will be coming out in the second quarter of 2021. ZapperBox is an ATSC 3.0 set-top box. BitRouter also announced a new ATSC 3.0 receiver, 3pi.

Pearl TV, a business group comprised of owners of more than 750 broadcast stations, are pleased with the advancements of this initial rollout of NextGenTV-equipped receivers from LG, Samsung, Sony, BitRouter and HD HomeRun-maker Silicon Dust. The availability of these technologies will only help as Pearl TV and broadcasters across the country push for the rollout of NextGen TV.

“As the consumer technology industry begins to diversify its choices with more models and more affordable products for viewers, broadcasters will continue to push ahead with plans to initiate NextGen TV service in key markets throughout the country,” said Anne Schelle, Pearl TV managing director.

Pearl TV is also attempting to educate consumers on the benefits of NextGen TV, as well as what products are currently available to them, through its consumer website, www.WatchNextGenTV.com.  

LAS VEGAS—BitRouter has made available the new 3pi, a Linux-based ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 1.0 headless receiver that is designed to be used for automotive and distance learning applications. The company is previewing 3pi as part of CES 2021, currently underway virtually.

The 3pi receiver, which is meant to be used when HDMI video output is not required, is based on the Raspberry Pi platform and utilizes non-real-time features of ATSC 3.0 to download content into a device. The system then uses an embedded web server to serve this content within homes or automobiles over IP. It uses the same software that’s in BitRouter’s ATSC3pro set-top box platform.

BitRouter also uses its ATSC3pak software stack with 3pi to implement NRT file download and serve the content to client devices.

"The current environment has made remote access to content a necessity, and it creates an opportunity for broadcasters to serve the academic and automotive communities by providing innovative, low-cost, reliable technology," said Gopal Miglani, president of BitRouter. "By incorporating the affordability of the Raspberry Pi platform and the advanced content serving attributes of ATSC 3.0, our 3pi solution is ideally suited for these use cases."

BitRouter is offering 3pi for $1,495. For more information, visit www.bitrouter.com.  

NEW YORK—Software provider for cable, terrestrial, IP, satellite and mobile receivers BitRouter has released Dihedral Software functionality for its ATSC3pro receiver.

The Dihedral Software provides the ATSC3pro receiver with auto software updates, the ability to hide unwanted channels and additive channel scan. The grid guard user interface has also been updated with ATSC 3.0 channel visualization and signal strength visualization in the program info bar.

The ATSC3pro is a Linux-based ATSC 3.0 set-top box and gateway based on BitRouter’s ATSC3pak middleware package, which is meant to implement ATSC 3.0 standards for better picture and sound quality, interactivity and mobility with the TV watching experience.

BitRouter is showcasing the ATSC3pro receiver during the virtual NAB Show New York currently underway.

For more information, visit www.bitrouter.com. 

SOUTHWICK, Mass.—Hitachi Kokusai Electric Comark and BitRouter have entered into a partnership agreement that appoints Comark as the authorized reseller and service provider for BitRouter’s ATSC3pro Linux-based ATSC 3.0 professional receiver product line.

The ATSC3pro product line is a reception device that can be used for over-the-air technology trials, lab testing and by early adopters of the Next Gen TV standard. It runs BitRouter’s ATSC3pak middleware, which can integrate the functionality of multiple ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 tuners, OTT, interactivity and mobility. It also is a video and data distribution system that uses HDMI and Wi-Fi connectivity for both legacy DTV sets, smartphones and tablets.

Comark Digital Services, which is tasked with helping its customers making the transition to ATSC 3.0, tested BitRouter’s ATSC3pro and, according to CDS Director Tim Hosmer, feel that it will “provide end users with a platform that can be used today while making it possible to add more ATSC 3.0 features in the future.”

For a comprehensive source of TV Technology’s ATSC 3.0 coverage, see ourATSC3 silo.