Multiple Companies to Demo ATSC 3.0 Hardware, Software at NAB Show, ATSC Says

As the suite of ATSC 3.0 standards “nears completion,” the next-generation broadcast system will take center stage on the NAB Show exhibit floor, where “multiple companies will demonstrate breakthrough ATSC 3.0 hardware and software,” ATSC said in a Thursday announcement. Highlights will include a BBC R&D demonstration of the hybrid log-gamma high dynamic range format developed with NHK of Japan. On the show floor, BBC will showcase HLG’s picture quality “in the context” of its inclusion in the ATSC A/341 video document and the ITU’s BT.2100 recommendation, ATSC said. BBC also will highlight the benefits of wide color gamut and how HDR and wide color can be interoperable with standard dynamic range BT.709 color, it said. In another NAB Show highlight, Dolby Labs “will offer a hands-on demonstration of live AC-4 encoding and decoding,” as specified in the A/342 ATSC 3.0 audio document, ATSC said. “Visitors will be able to adjust encoding and decoding parameters, watch the system automatically adapt, and hear the results in real time,” it said. “Dolby experts will be on hand to answer questions regarding Dolby Atmos, legacy and new workflows, and deployment of AC-4 and ATSC 3.0.” The NAB Show exhibit floor opens April 24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center for a four-day run.