Broadcast 4K TV is on the Way

The new FCC chairman, Ajit Pai, presented a proposal to the FCC commissioners that would allow for broadcasters to be able to start using the new ATSC 3.0 standard by the end of the year if they so choose. ATSC 1.0 (digital) is the current standard that broadcasters use and was the foundation that allowed the transition from analog to digital broadcasting. While 1.0 offers 1080i and 720p broadcasting resolution, the new 3.0 standard would allow for 4k broadcasting along with other fundamental changes to the TV systems we currently know. Check the full rundown here.

On the consumer side of devices, there's not much to do or worry about yet. LG announced that it would be selling TVs this year with both ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 1.0 tuners in preparation of South Korea rolling out ATSC 3.0 broadcasts this year (the country began testing the system in December of last year, something Pai calls out as a sign that the US could be "in danger of falling behind" when it comes to broadcasting).

Source: TheVerge