Channels & viewing

[atc98092]

 I added the HDHomeRun Flex to my network a couple of days ago. My primary use is for OTA recording using JRiver Media Center, but it's also nice to be able to see what the broadcasting companies are doing with the new ATSC 3.0 rollout. Here in the Seattle area I have 7 available ATSC 3.0 stations, and have no issue receiving any of them. I put the Flex in the garage, where the coax from my distribution amp only needs to be a few feet long. I can get a station 100 miles away under some conditions, but it does vary.

Apparently Silicon Dust hasn't put much effort into their Roku channel, so there are some issues with watching one of the ATSC 3.0 channels. First, in case you weren't aware, the ATSC 3.0 standard requires using Dolby AC-4 as the audio codec. There's only one Roku that supports that codec, which is the Ultra 4800. Any other 4K Roku will display the video but no audio is available. On other devices, Silicon Dust offers an online transcoding function, and as such will output Dolby AC-3 from devices like the Shield. For some unknown reason, this function does not work on Roku devices, and SD doesn't seem to be very interested in making it work on Roku devices.

Since there's little to no support yet for AC-4 on TVs and AVRs, there is little choice for watching ATSC 3.0 as of yet. The Ultra 4800 transcodes the audio into 5.1 PCM, so the audio content is intact. When in the future the broadcasters use new features like 7.1 audio (or more), it's unknown how the Roku will perform. 

So far, my local broadcasters don't seem to be putting any actual 4K content out. I realize there likely isn't much available to them yet, but hopefully there's more coming. I expect sports to be the first to embrace 4K OTA, but who knows? Do we really need the news broadcasts in 4K? 😛

[mstan2022]

I too have a SD HD Homerun Quatro that I am using for OTA. Just recently about 4 channels changed to ATSC 3.0. On my TCL 4k set, it has Atmos and supports the AC4, so I have sound. My other system upstairs cannot. I'm reluctant to purchase a new 4K Tv because I would also have to buy a new surround system as well. I have heard that the Roku Ultra 4800R supports AC4 and will decode it to AC3, potentially allowing me to get sound for the ATSC 3.0 stations. There is a new 2022 model 4802R out that may work as well. Both can be gotten for the same price. My question is does the new unit still support the decoding to AC3 as did the 4800R and or does it fix some of the sound issues? Or maybe I should just buy the 4800. It seems to work for you. Your Thoughts?

[atc98092]

Yes, the 4800/4802 supports AC-4 decoding to AC-3. I have no issues using my 4800 for ATSC 3.0 broadcasts. That said, Silicon Dust isn't putting much effort into the user interface for the Roku channel. It's far better on my Shield, but that device doesn't support AC-4 so they perform some sort of Internet magic to decode the audio online. It works fine, but I'd prefer the decoding performed locally, like the Ultra does. 

I'm not sure what sound issues you are referring to. I haven't noticed any audio issues using either the Ultra or the Shield when viewing ATSC 3.0 content.

[mstan2022]

Thank you for your input on the 4800 & 4802. I ordered the 4800. The sound issues I encountered with the 3.0 stations were no sound on my Visio 1080P TV, and on my 4k set, I got two soundtracks, one in Spanish and one in English during a football game, which I assume was growing pains on the part of the station. It's been fine since. The main thing is the decoding from AC4 to AC3 so I can watch with sound on the 3.0 stations, which I notice are being set up in my area. Right now, only the designations are there, but I sure they will be going online soon.  I agree though.... SD could pay a little more attention to The HD Homerun app on Roku. Hopefully that will happen in the future. Till then, Thank You.

[atc98092]

On ATSC 1.0 stations, the first audio track is required to be English (for US stations). But with 3.0 stations, it appears that isn't required, or at least they aren't adhering to it while in test mode. That's why you might get Spanish rather than English on some stations.

[mstan2022]

As two of my three sets are Roku sets, is there a way to get around that in the TV settings? Even to temporarily change it for a particular show, then change it back. Just curious. Thanks.

[atc98092]

@mstan2022 what are you trying to "get around"? No existing Roku TV supports ATSC 3.0, so your question doesn't appear on topic for this thread. 

[Paulembree]

Do you know about “auto captions”? Generated from speaking in real time by a computer?

[atc98092]

@Paulembree off topic for this thread. Please start a new thread with your questions. Also, we don't really know what you're asking about. Yes, I've seen auto-generated captions before, mostly on YouTube. Frankly, they aren't worth the bother. Simply isn't accurate enough to be worthwhile.

[Paulembree]

Sorry, what thread should I use? Also as hearing impaired and with the poor quality of some YouTube videos, I find auto captioning very helpful. Thanks.