HVS Hosts Third Annual ATSC 3.0 Interoperability Event

Heartland Video Systems (HVS) has hosted its third annual ATSC 3.0 interoperability event on 29-31 October at its headquarters in Plymouth, Wisconsin.

In collaboration with Pearl TV and the Advanced Television Systems Committee (A3SA), the event brought together over 50 organisations from around the globe to advance NextGen TV standards, focusing on groundbreaking developments in signal signing, high dynamic range (HDR) video, Dolby Atmos audio, enhanced accessibility features, and more.

"As the broadcasting industry embraces the future with NextGen TV, interoperability and innovation are more critical than ever," said Dennis Klas, president of HVS. "Hosting this event at our state-of-the-art ATSC 3.0 lab underscores HVS’ commitment to driving technological advancements that will redefine broadcast. The progress made in testing signal signing across platforms using both ROUTE and MMT protocols is another significant step forward to ensure secure and authentic broadcast signals."

This year’s 'plugfest' served as a platform for broadcasters, consumer electronics manufacturers, and broadcast equipment providers to test, validate, and refine the latest features of the ATSC 3.0 standard. The event facilitated thousands of tests across various equipment combinations, verifying compatibility and performance in real-world scenarios.

Key Achievements at the Event
• Signal Signing and Verification: There was significant progress in cross-platform signal signing tests using both ROUTE and MMT protocols. ROUTE signing was successfully verified, while MMT signing tests revealed areas for improvement — offering valuable insights to ensure secure and authentic broadcast signals.
• Advanced HDR and Dolby Atmos Integration: Participants performed extensive testing on various HDR formats (HLG, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and combinations) and 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos audio, paving the way for immersive, cinema-quality home entertainment.
• Enhanced Accessibility Features: Testers verified consumer device support for AC-4 dialogue enhancement, descriptive audio, and multiple caption tracks. Industry experts Jim Starzynski (NBCUniversal) and Charles Bronson (Dolby Laboratories) ensured compatibility, enhancing accessibility for all users.
• Seamless Broadcast IP and Virtual Channels: Participants assessed integration of broadcast equipment and consumer electronics for tuning and downloading content via content delivery networks, merging internet-based delivery with traditional broadcasting for seamless viewer experiences and new interactive services.
• Resilience in Modulation and Coding (ModCod): Attendees tested devices’ ability to remain tuned when modulation parameters and service placements change, which is critical for uninterrupted service and supporting ATSC 3.0’s flexibility.
Bridging Technologies With ATSC 1.0 Verance Watermarking: Participants explored Verance watermarking in ATSC 1.0 to render broadcast applications on existing channels, bridging current and next-gen technologies and extending advanced services.
• Precision in Timing and Synchronisation: Mike Dolan, a founding authority on ATSC standards and digital television engineering, presented on ATSC 3.0 timing using an API to verify synchronization on devices, ensuring perfectly aligned audio and video for seamless viewing.
• Expansion of Technical Capabilities: Attendees tested new datacasting services, compressed service layer signaling, and basic DASH Event Streams, expanding ATSC 3.0’s capabilities and applications.

"The interoperability event at HVS has been pivotal in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with NextGen TV," commented Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV. "By focusing on critical advancements such as signal signing, HDR, and accessibility, we’ve made significant strides in ensuring that broadcasters can securely and efficiently deliver enhanced services to consumers. HVS' expertise and cutting-edge facilities were instrumental in the success of this event, fostering collaboration that will shape the future of broadcasting."

"HVS played an instrumental role in launching over 70 lighthouse stations across the United States, and we're happy to share that expertise in ATSC 3.0 deployment with our colleagues. It was an honour for HVS to host this event for the third consecutive year,” added Mike Schmidt, HVS’ senior broadcast engineer and an ATSC 3.0 authority. "Our continued involvement reflects our dedication to delivering on the promise of NextGen TV — providing viewers with a richer, more interactive, and immersive experience. By uniting industry leaders, we're helping to ensure that new features and technologies will seamlessly integrate across diverse devices and platforms."

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