Will Roku TV Be Compatible with ATSC 3.0 in the Future?

Key Points:

NextGen TV presents the new ATSC 3.0 standard that dramatically improves the experience of watching live TV.
It can support 4K, and HDR content on multiple devices simultaneously.

Major brands are making compatible devices, and users are wondering whether Roku TV will also be on the team.

Being ATSC’s new version the talk of the town is one question lots of Roku users are asking. Will Roku TV be compatible with ATSC 3.0?

The answer is not straightforward as there is no official announcement yet. But we can expect that the company will make compatible TVs because of their growing popularity and convenience.

However, there is more to know about the new upgrade. Read my article to get familiar with the new ATSC standard, and whether it is necessary for you.

What Is ATSC 3.0?

Advanced Television Systems Committee or ATSC in short sets the standard for sending and receiving over-the-air. ATSC 3.0 is a hybrid broadcast and IP-based standard for broadcasting 4K and HDR content over the air (OTA).

In 1996, the group first introduced ATSC version 1.0. After a long time, ATSC 3.0 has been launched skipping version 2.0.

However, lots of ATSC 2.0’s upgrades are in the latest version. There are even plans to support 8K contents in the near future in ATSC v3.0.

There are several benefits of ATSC 3.0. Let me tell you those pros.

You will see improved signal quality along with less interference.

It can deliver higher resolution (4k and 8k) compared to the previous version.
ATSC 3.0 is designed in a way to combine both TV broadcasting signals and broadband internet connection signals.
This new version is available on lots of devices making it easily accessible to consumers.

Do I Need an ATSC 3.0 Tuner?

Yes, you will need an ATSC 3.0 tuner for seeing the latest ATSC 3.0 broadcasts on your old TV.

It is because the new version is not backward compatible.

If you own a new TV with a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner, you won’t have to worry about buying an additional tuner.

Will Roku TV Be Compatible with ATSC 3.0?

From online discussions, I have come to know that future Roku TVs will have ATSC 3.0 tuners.

But you will have to buy premium ones. you will be able to see the best 4K TVs with ATSC 3.0 tuner.

Does that mean that you can’t enjoy the benefits of ATSC 3.0 right now with your existing Roku TV setup?

No, it does not mean that. One can buy an ATSC 3.0 tuner and enjoy high-quality live videos and enjoy on an old TV.

There are lots of options out there. Right now, I can think of two that are worth recommending.

ZapperBox

SiliconDust HDHomeRun HDHR5-4K

The best thing about them is that you can send live broadcasts from this single device to multiple smartphones and smart TVs in your home that are compatible with ATSC 3.0.

I have already written the good things that come with this new upgrade.

So, spending extra money on buying an ATSC 3.0 tuner or compatible TV will be worth every penny.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What 2021 TVs have an ATSC 3.0 tuner?

Samsung, Sony, LG, Hisense, and lots of other brands are making ATSC 3.0 compatible TVs in recent years.

Will ATSC 3.0 improve reception?

According to the technical details and demos, ATSC 3.0 has a better reception along with the support for higher resolution than simple 1080p. So, yes, it will have improved reception compared to the current setup.