Introduction

NextGen TV is a new concept in over-the-air TV. As a result, many individuals are confused as to what NextGen TV is and what it means to the average person. This page explains everything you need to know about NextGen TV.

NextGen TV Explained

There are four terms, or keywords, that associated with "NextGen TV".

NextGen TV - Is a new broadcast TV standard. The "NextGen TV" signal, sent over-the-air to your TV, is a different signal format than that of the current TV signal. The technical term for "NextGen TV" is called "ATSC3.0". NextGen TV and ATSC3.0 are the same thing. The current TV signal format is commonly known as "digital TV " and it is often referred as "digital broadcast TV". The technical term for "digital tv" is called ATSC1.0. The present broadcast TV signal technical term is called ATSC1.0. The ATSC1.0 signal format is often referred as "digital tv" or "digital broadcast TV". The NextGen TV signal format has a much greater capability than the present ATSC1.0 signal format. The NextGen TV signal has the capability for 4K video. It also allows Dolby 7.1.4 surround sound and Dolby Atmos. See the table below for a side-by-side comparison.

ATSC3.0 - Is the technical term for "NextGen TV". The "ATSC" is an acronym for Advanced Television Systems Committee. This committee develops the broadcast TV standards. The ATSC3.0 signal format was first placed into service during the year 2017.

ATSC1.0 - Is the technical term for "Digital TV" or "Digital Broadcast TV". The ATSC1.0 signal format is the current format for over-the-air television. It was mandated to be used by all U.S. broadcast TV station during the year of 2009. The ATSC1.0 format superseded the NTSC signal format.

NTSC - Is the technical term for the broadcast TV signal that was used prior to the year 2009. The NTSC signal format was used, in the U.S., between the years 1927 thru 2009. This signal format only allowed for analog video and analog sound. The maximum video resolution was 640x480 (480i). This video resolution is often referred as "standard resolution (SD)". The NTSC signal only allowed a maximum of two separate sound channels (Stereo). However, Dolby Prologic surround sound was available on any stereo broadcast. Dolby Prologic was an analog version of 5.1 surround sound. Although the NTSC signal format was able to carry Dolby Prologic, most over-the-air TV programs were not encoded with the Prologic. As a result, most over-the-air TV programs were either two channel stereo or mono (one channel).