Television Types

Televisions manufactured since March 2007 have a built-in digital ATSC 1.0 tuner for receiving over-the-air High Definition (HD) broadcast. In 2020 televisions became available with an ATSC 3.0 tuner to additionally receive ultra high definition (UHD) broadcast. A Next Gen 4k UHD television is required to get a UHD broadcast signal. Many Digital TV's can also receive analog signals (NTSC System) for old video recordings, it's also still used in some countries.

The FCC wants broadcasters to switch to a UHD 4k Next Gen signal. However, broadcasters have the option to determine when they switch, there is no deadline. A few special interest groups (content providers, advertisers) are encouraging the FCC to mandate a switch by a set date. The UHD standard allows broadcasters to Content Protect (see below) a TV channel. Broadcasters can also track users to varying degrees. Currently the number of UHD broadcast is small, and not growing very fast.

TV AMPLIFIERS
Some digital television tuners do not use a low noise preamp and may not get weaker signals. One reason not to use a preamp is to cut cost. Another reason is Internet streaming and satellite / cable TV boxes do not need a preamp.

OVER AIR SETTINGSs
The television "Input Source" needs to be set on "TV" for over the air reception.

TV MONITORS
A few televisions are TV monitors and cannot get over the air TV. The television monitor gets video from a cable or satellite box, the internet, or a home device. Set top TV tuners are available for using an antenna.

REMOTE CONTROLS
Televisions come with either a Full Remote or an On Screen Remote. On Screen remotes have fewer buttons and are used to navigate to all selections using the screen. There are no numbers to go directly to a channel. Some remotes have a built-in microphone for Voice Control.

HD TELEVISION

High Definition (HD) televisions use the ATSC 1.0 standard and have a picture maximum resolution of 720 or 1080 pixels per inch (ppi). They also display standard definition (SD) broadcast. See Display Specifications below. Most HD televisions are Smart TV's.

SMART TELEVISIONS

All Next Gen (UHD) and many HD televisions are Smart TV's that have additional features.

Receive Internet Streaming Video Services.
The main reason to use a smart TV is to get Internet steaming video. The TV is usually connected to the Internet with a Wi-Fi connection, some TV's can use an ethernet cable.

Automatic Content Recognition (ACR).
Some TV's have Automatic Content Recognition. You may or may not have the option to disable this feature in the Menu Settings.

• Collects and stores what is being watched and when, and all user command inputs.
• The data is used to suggest other programs for you to watch, and targets ads.
• The data can be used and shared by outside parties.
• A television may use this data in conjunction with facial recognition if the TV has a camera.

Camera and Microphone
Some smart televisions have a built-in microphone, some also have a video camera. The camera and microphone can be used for;

• Remote Control
  • Voice (microphone)
  • Gesture (camera).
• Video calling -- FaceTime, Skype
  (microphone & camera).
• Facial recognition (camera and/or microphone)
  • Identify user and load personal preferences.
  • Some track the viewer and tilts the TV for the best viewing angle.
  • Monitor and collect data on who is watching what and when.

CAMERA / MICROPHONE LOCATION
If the television has a microphone or camera, the manual should, but not always, indicate the camera and microphone location. The camera is usually a built-in small lens in a bezel, or a just a small hole. The camera is typically embedded near the top center of the screen, but can be almost anywhere that faces viewers. The microphone may be built in the TV front frame or side, or the remote control. The microphone will be a small hole or a pattern of small holes.

Next Gen 4k UHD Televisions

UHD Televisions use the ATSC 3.0 standard also receive ultra high definition (4k) broadcast (2160 ppi). They also have enhanced audio and better reception characteristics.

ENCRYTPION ()
UHD signals can be encrypted. The ATSC 3.0 Security Authority (A3SA) sets standards and certifies Next Gen TV tuners that decode encrypted signals.

• Digital Rights Management (DRM)
  Also referred to as Content Protection.
  • Broadcasters can prevent recording, or set an expiration date on a recording.
  • Programs that can be recorded can only be replayed from the DVR / Tuner that recorded it.
  • Broadcasters can block viewers from using Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, Ad-Skip.
  • Prevents Rebroadcasting.
• Subscription Service
  Not currently used.
  This is pay TV, by the month or by the program(s). An Internet connection is required to download a decryption key as often as needed. The legality is in question. Spectrum allocated for TV broadcast is mandated by the Federal government to be Free for anyone to receive.
  
  Evoca TV network tried selling a monthly subscription service for $25 per month from January to December of 2022. They had stations in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Michigan. The service had local channels, some cable channels, and RSN's (Regional Sports Network). They didn't generate enough revenue to sustain operations and shut down after 1 year on December 31st, 2022.

UHD Televisions manufactured after 2022 should have an authorized tuner with a built-in decryption key. Televisions without a key might be able to get a key by downloading (from the Internet) and installing a software update. The update could be downloaded directly to the television, or installed from a USB flash drive with the downloaded update.

DISPLAY SPECIFICATIONS

Picture Display
A TV channel resolution is set by the broadcaster and can be in SD, HD, or UHD. Picture definition is described by the height resolution in pixels per inch (ppi). The picture scan will be either Interlaced (i) or Progressive (p).

Picture Definition
and Scan Type

UHD (4k)	HD	SD
2160p	1080p 1080i 720p	480p 480i

p	=	Progressive	-	picture lines displayed one after the other.
i	=	Interlaced	-	odd picture lines displayed then even lines.

Display Aspect Ratios (Width x Height)

Analog TV used a 4:3 aspect ratio.

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TV Resolution and Frame Rate

Definition		Resolution W x H (PPI)	Aspect Ratio	Frame Rate
Ultra High Definition (UHD 4k)	2160p	3840 x 2160	16:9	24 fps 30 fps 60 fps 120 fps
High Definition (HD)	1080p	1920 x 1080	16:9 1:1	24 fps 30 fps
	1080i			30 fps
	720p	1280 x 720		24 fps 30 fps 60 fps
Standard Definition (SD)	480p	704 x 480	16:9 4:3	24 fps 30 fps 60 fps
		640 x 480	4:3 1:1
	480i	704 x 480	16:9 4:3	30 fps
		640 x 480	4:3 1:1

W H

= width = height

PPI fps

= pixels per inch = frames per second

The 4k Digital Cinema Standard has slightly higher resolution than UHD (4k) TV.

Most Hollywood movies run at 24 fps. The old analog TV system had a 525 line Interlaced (i) picture at 30 frames per second and an aspect ratio of 4:3.

OTA DTv Digital Televisions