HDFX-4K - ATSC 3.0 - Channels Functionality

Channels DVR Server
#1

I know there are many topics on the HD Homerun 4k and ATSC 3.0. However, after reading through most of the topics, I am still at somewhat of a loss on the current state of functionality with Channels DVR. My market (Grand Rapids, MI) just recently came online and I plan on installing the new HD 4k tuner. Before I do, can anyone answer the following questions....

  1. Does Channels work well with the current ATSC signals? I know most of them aren't in 4k, but I believe they are all using HEVC instead of MPEG-4. Does channels function normally with this? More specifically, does commercial skipping work, is the guide data accurate, etc.?

  2. Does the sound work on all ATSC channels? I've read many comments on sound issues related with the ATSC 3.0 stations. Have those issues mainly been resolved?

  3. Since the Silicon Dust can only tune in 2 ATSC 3.0 (separate channels) at once, what happens if there is a 3rd program set to record at the same time. Will it auto fail to a normal HD turner and record the program as planned on an ATSC 1.0 station?

  4. Even if the new ATSC 3.0 is only 1080p, can you notice a difference in picture qualify with the NextGen recordings?

I would like to take advantage of the NextGen service, but only if it doesn't introduce a lot of issues (i.e. missed recordings, no sound, lack of commercial skip, etc.). I'd love to hear some feedback for those of you that have been using it for a while now.

#2

I am using the HDFX-4K and have had no problems with any OTA signal. I don't have access to any 3.0 but the 3.0 will fallback for quite a while to 1.0. The FCC requires broadcasters to simulcast their channels in both ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0 until at least February 2023, but in fact probably longer than that. Currently, I don't believe any OTA signals are being broadcast in Mpeg4 (1080P) but only in Mpeg2 (1080i). And it will be a very long time before we ifever see 4K OTA. As to signal quality, a lot depends on your TV. My TV automatically upscales to 1080P. The only place I get 4K is Amazon Prime. The HDFX-4K Flex Quattro is a solid unit and works great with channels. The only problems seem to be with some Samsung TVs as they have their own App store and the Channels App is no on it. I added a Firestick to get the Channels App and it works absolutely great. The Auto Skipping Commercials feature is a wonder with only a few minor flaws.

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#3

Thank you for the reply weberman. I have no issues with my current OTA setup and all the stations come through clear. My main concern is when I add the HDFX / ATSC 3.0 to my setup, it might not be as reliable. It sounds like you haven't been able to test that out yet either since it isn't available in your area yet.

What I'm mainly curious to know is if people are using ATSC 3.0, what has their experience been? Do the programs still record, get processed for commercial skip, and generally work as one would expect? I don't want to add issues to something that is working well already. On the other hand, if the NextGen service is available, I'd like to take advantage of it (I already have the 4k tuner).

#4

I don't know if you will be able to test the ATSC 3.0 without being able to get 3.0 broadcasts. Where are you located? Here is the link to the current 3.0 broadcast status.

https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=atsc3

However, seeing what the Channels developers have done so far, I have no doubt 3.0 will work as well as 1.0.

#5

I have a 4k HDHR and live in an ATSC 3.0 market. The picture quality is a little better mainly becuase it is not interlaced. The only devices that I have found that will work for playback is the shield and Apple TV. My firestick and Sony android TV choke when decoding ATSC 3 content. Comskip works about half of the time, according to @tmm1 there is still some work to do there. Sound is perfect (again only on shield or ATV).

There isn't a concept of autofailover. Your HDHR will put a 1 in front of the channel that is ATSC 3. (see my pic)

Screenshot_20210528-181017_Chrome
Screenshot_20210528-181017_Chrome1080×2316 561 KB
This way you can tune either signal. So if you create a season pass for a show and designate the ATSC 3 channel it will not fall back to 1.0 if there is a conflict.

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#6

Also the web player is not compatible with ATSC 3 so you have to use something else to play them as well.

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#7

Thank you slapman, that answers my questions. I have a shield, so it sounds like it should work ok.

#8

I've been the HDFX-4K for a while now and live in an area that has ATSC 3.0 stations. For recording to skip commercials right I have to specify the ATSC 1.0 channel in my passes. I have one channel that pixelates on ATSC 1.0 and the picture is better on ATSC 3.0. I'm anxious for them to come up with a surefire way for commercial skip to work with HEVC. For now, I try to watch the problem channel live on the ATSC 3.0 channel and record the programs on ATSC 1.0 for the most part. Still an awesome system! For the web player there is a Microsoft codec that, once installed, will allow the web player to work fine. I think it was $.99

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