ADTH ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV Box with DVR Review

[@AntennaMan]

📺 Affiliate links to the ADTH Tuner: amzn.to/3Lgz3VZ bit.ly/3YVXHTm 🤔 Not sure if your current antenna is best for your location? Sign up for my antenna recommendation service below: www.antennamanpa.com/antenna-recommendations.html

[@pearlrival3124]

i thought you were done with 3.0? bit surprised you have yet to cover tablo tv.

[@_bob_8170]

Since you mentioned it’s Android base, is there a apk for the software that is download able? Android has plenty of tv tuner dongle but software sucks.

[@ChuckBronson100]

Thank you Tyler for your reply

[@ChuckBronson100]

Hi Tyler, I already have subscribed

[@AntennaMan]

@@pearlrival3124 When did I say I was done with 3.0??? I also reviewed several Tablo models on my channel. I didn't get to the recent one yet because they seemed to pull out of a sponsorship on my channel possibly due to me speaking out against DRM encryption. Tablo is now owned by Scripps which has turned on DRM encryption on their channels.

[@Iabeerbrewer]

Tyler... My go to guy for anything antenna related...

[@markharding8480]

Excellent review of the ADTH tuner/DVR box! I really appreciate your passion for investigating and evaluating OA technology and sharing your knowledge with subscribers in layman’s language. Keep up the good work!

[@valueelectronics9390]

Thank you again for another in-depth review with your very nice professional presentation!

[@AntennaMan]

I appreciate the kind words. As far as the "professional presentation," I try my best but I'm not Lester Holt. I'm working on a new studio where I can sit down and present in a more relaxed manner as opposed to my basement studio where I feel a bit tense considering it's less than 50 degrees down there in the winter.

[@glynnetolar4423]

Thank God you're now Lester!

[@davi75668]

An updated video for this box would be nice.

[@chrisbosley7095]

Thanks for a great review! I can see that I can just hold off on an ATSC 3.0 box - I get all my locals great here in the Detroit area. No 'trash' Lo-VHF channels except one I don't watch anyway.

[@cattigereyes1]

Need free Air channels forever in USA!

[@riceexe]

Hopefully this trend of ATSC 3.0 tuners using android will result in some form of community maintenance, rather than neglect resulting in security risks

[@jrs9264]

fyi: the fruit phone system is just as hackable .....💯😤🤔

[@glynnetolar4423]

Yeah right, try repairing one.

[@kensmith5694]

Better yet would be to just remove the need for internet so there are no security risks.

[@AntennaMan]

@riceexe The current implementation of DRM via Google Widevine only works in Android-based systems. Lon Seidman covered it his video below. ATSC 3.0 seems to be a whole "pay to play" system full of conflicts of interest. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2LZhaOJf62Jr9Esi=_STEVqJ58x43d1rn

[@JohnDemetre]

This seems like progress, but I still need a box that allows for network connectivity based on where my antenna is in relation to my tv. I was very excited about ATSC 3.0 and was thrilled to be able to finally get all my locals - until the DRM started. My expectation is that the local broadcasters will require an internet connection to de-crypt and eventually start charging for access. Very disappointing.

[@hilaryweiner893]

Thanks for this review. I was looking at the Reddit reviews of this device when it first came out, and it sounds like ADTH has made an effort to improve the user experience since that time. In the Washington DC market, Howard University is hosting the ATSC 3.0 channels and their ATSC 1.0 channel moved to a VHF frequency shared with the ABC affiliate that is hard to get. This box is at a price point where it is worth trying just to get back that PBS station which often has different programming from WETA. It might also help with the multipath interference problem once the leaves are back on the trees.

[@MatteBlackEverything]

This is PERFECT. I have a senior dad who WILL NOT SWITCH TO STREAMING yet. He complained that his new 65" 4k screen is looking worse than his broken 1080p screen for OTA channels and thought this might be the answer. He lives not too far away from the broadcasting stations, and if this device doesn't give us 4k, maybe a better antenna will be better. Thanks for your video!

[@bricknboxer]

Thanks for the review. The good news here is that ATSC 1.0 will be with us for a good while longer. I'm not anxious to give up my OTA Tivo.

[@Nylgk]

I also use the TiVo Edge OTA but I’m worried about its long term prospects as the OTA TiVo Edge is no longer appearing on TiVo’s site.

[@TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

Going to go ATSC 3.0 after I can save the recording. Still concerned that it's not going to make it.

[@AntennaMan]

Unfortunately this might never happen. I think the goal of broadcasters is to tie a recording to a device so it can expire.

[@markanderson350]

I agree, stick with 1.0 as long as you can. I know few people who even knows about broadcast tv and most just watch on a roku or fire stick. To me, its a best kept secret that i use daily. I soent quite a bit if time finding the right antenna to receive from two directions at the same time and a good booster and splitter setup to get over 80 channels to 3 tvs and 2 stereos. I will just keep it to myself and hope it does not get outdated.

[@RebrandSoon0000]

Tyler, you the man. I appreciate the reviews and topics you discuss.

[@perpetualcollapse]

The current experience is leaps and bounds better than even a couple months ago. My bad antenna in my bedroom can’t pickup the new ATSC 3 channels that dropped in Chicago this month, but it was fine with the channel master antenna in the living room. Watched the Super Bowl in ATSC 3, but it cut out around every 15 minutes and rebooted every hour or so, probably from over heating as the box doesn’t have any active cooling to decode x265 and AC4. Some channels appear to broadcast in HDR even though the source material isn’t in HDR like the local FOX 32. The channels appear to broadcast in 1080i and have way less compression artifacts than ATSC 1. These basic devices will only get cheaper and better as time goes on, so it probably isn’t a good idea to buy one today.

[@kerrismith1266]

Seeing that you can get WPVI 6abc is all I need to know. Thanks so much, from another Philadelphian!

[@AlanElBee]

1:46 I see Tay Tay snuck into the scene there LOL! Nice job Tyler, just ordered one using your affiliate link. Thanks

[@davidvelazquez9473]

I actually have two of these boxes. And the signal held up well for the Super Bowl. And that update to rescan and keep my current channels was a godsend for me. Because I had better luck tuning into NextGen TV out of Miami, as my local lighthouse in West Palm Beach is low-powered. A distant full-powered signal is better than a non-existent local signal, I guess...

[@wesmckean1443]

That's my experience with this box. Pretty buggy to start. Now, it's working pretty darn good. Another excellent review.

[@avagd6293]

I receive 94 channels over the air with the Televes antenna in the upstate of South Carolina using the Tablo HDMI unit with two tuners. It's OK but the tuner needs improvement. Some of the channels drop off but the same channels on my 2009 Magnavox OA DVR hold steady. Love your info video on the Nextgen TV DVR.

[@ronstout6013]

Tyler, Thank You. I live about 90 miles south of Tulsa OK and get good results with my Channel Master antenna. This tells me I'm good for a while!

[@whitewolf8214]

@AntennaMan Excellent Review as always!! Out of all these boxes ADTH , Zapperbox etc which on you think is the best so far? Thank you very much appreciate it!!

[@AntennaMan]

Zapperbox is probably the best right not but there aren't may options to say the least.

[@vkristof1]

Thanks for your response to the "what's the best box?" question and the review of this ADTH box. My only current "need" for an ATSC 3 tuner is due to the intro of ATSC 3 into the NYC area a few months ago. The resulting frequency shifts caused the loss of the main WLIW channel, but it is also broadcast as ATSC 3. Anyway, this box is only a little more expensive than the GTMedia HDTV Mate + $20 Walmart ONN Google TV hockey puck. Do you think SW updates for this box are more likely than the GT Media HDTV Mate? Thanks!

[@fredsinternetisland137]

Thank you@@AntennaMan

[@joeblow8593]

Thanks for the review. But I have no interest in getting anything ATSC 3.0 until the broadcasters drop the DRM.

[@AntennaMan]

I don't blame you one bit!

[@AAa-qd8hb]

ATSC 1.0 real TV freedom forever. Your old ATSC 1.0 TV video recordings will still play 100 years from now on something.

[@marcosvillagran7656]

Thank you for keeping us informed on new dvr's.

[@stevejohnson1321]

Finally a model "worth buying," yet there's so little worth watching or recording.

[@vkristof1]

Yeah...The only reason I have in any of these ATSC 3 tuners is because when ATSC 3 came to NYC the resulting frequency shuffles resulted in the PBS station being rendered unreceivable. BUT the ATSC 3 simulcast of the PBS channel (WLIW/) should be receivable. So I'm in a very slice of the population that has to watch an un-encrypted 3.0 channel ( or stream WLIW through the internet). The DRM on the commercial ATSC 3 channels seems a nightmare.

[@stevejohnson1321]

Should be that encryption is illegal and/or unethical on public frequencies. That will probably have to get tested to formulate case law. The citizens lose in the meantime.

[@kensmith5694]

DRM and encryption have made such a pig's breakfast of the whole thing that I am not going to bother getting a new set top box. The need for a internet connection means that I may as well replace my TV with a computer an just watch stuff over the internet rather than bother with any over the air encryption nonsense. For now the ATSC-1.0 is still working well enough for me. When that quits, the TV goes out to the curb.

[@suplexpizza]

let me know if thats a crt!!🤣

[@kensmith5694]

@@suplexpizza Yes, it is not just a CRT it is a coal fired one. Somewhere I still have straps for strapping it onto a dinosaur. Why do you ask?

[@waleyefish9026]

You have a good point.👍

[@AndrewMackoul]

Could you plug in the thumb drive into a computer and see if you're able to access the recordings? Even the DRM encrypted ones?

[@AntennaMan]

You can with recordings from ATSC 1.0 channels but recordings on DRM encrypted channels will not play on any device outside of the ADTH box.

[@AAa-qd8hb]

No Play Back of recordings on other devices have ("No sound issues") because of Dolby AC4 audio codec used in ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN-TV does not have a legal open source license to decode legally on many devices.

[@johnpinckney4979]

When WPVI-TV (formerly WFIL-TV) was analog on channel 6, they ran ERP of 74.1 KW Visual and 7.41 KW Aural. Or, 48.7 dBm. With a decent antenna, they were often received in the D.C. area after WTTG had signed-off. And, sometimes with WTTG on. Not a "trash" signal, by any means! Today, they run 45 KW ERP. Or, 46.5 dBm. Since a -3 dB power reduction is a 50% power attenuation, that -2.2 dB cut is a 1/3 power loss. Remember that power change is measured via logarithmic calculation as it's not linear. It's that low-power signal that's the problem. Low-Band VHF is not "trash". At any given power level, the signal propagates better than High-Band VHF, and definitely UHF.. That's why in the analog era, the FCC set max visual ERP at 100 KW for VHF-low, 316 KW for VHF-hi, and 5,000 KW for UHF, to give stations "an equal playing field" in coverage. Yes, Low-Band VHF creates problems with ATSC 1.0 that didn't exist, or went unnoticed at analog. The "ghosts" of multipath in analog creates packet collisions and/or delayed packets in ATSC 1.0. This is due to the ancient FEC (Forward Error Correction) protocol in VSB-8/ATSC 1.0. This should not be a problem with ATSC 3.0 as it uses COFDM (Coded Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) for error correction. However, here in the D.C. area at least, the CP's for ATSC 3.0 operation use power levels even lower than those for ATSC 1.0. While coverage can be dependent upon the emission type used, RF is not unlike a pipe. It doesn't care what you shove down it. These lower power levels do not bode well for the future of ATSC 3.0 via antenna. Also, I have to disagree with you just a bit on what video resolution ATSC 3.0 provides. While you are correct that what you'll find today are either direct or upscaled 720p or 1080i signals, ATSC 3.0 is fully capable of 3840p HEVC video. However, as was the case in the original digital conversion, it'll take time for the broadcasters to purchase or adapt equipment to the higher resolutions. A very serious investment. Especially coming so soon after the digital transmission conversion (Which cost most broadcasters an average of $6 million per station), not to mention costs incurred in the repack, where channels 38-51 were re-allocated from Broadcast. Also, please keep in mind that the higher the resolution of your primary stream, the less bandwidth you have for either secondary streams (The so-called "sub-channels"), or in this post repack era, a "host" station being able to accommodate a "guest" station. For these reasons, I would expect "4K" to actually be sent at a lower resolution. Probably the 2160p commonly seen online.. DRM is another kettle of fish. Rotten fish that should be thrown back in the sewage treatment plant. Existing copyright law is sufficient to stop another "Lo-Cast" or similar "provider". However, it needs to be remembered that in addition to intellectual property rights of content providers, everything transmitted by a broadcaster is legally protected from copying and/or retransmission under copyright law via "compilation copyright". The demise of what used to be called a "sign-on/sign-off" does not invalidate or even weaken that copyright. (Remember "Programs intended for home reception, without charge for admission", etc.?) Tyler, sorry this ran so long. But, as a retired broadcast engineer of 45 years, I hate seeing VHF-Lo getting dissed after it served us so well for so long. You are not the first with those feelings. Not far from you is WGAL-TV. I suggest you look and read why it went from channel 4 to channel 8. The FCC has been having "problems" with that part of the spectrum since the 1940's. I do like your channel overall.

[@Swoliosis1]

As someone who has recurring issues with WPVI reception... can you confirm or deny the fact that low VHF reception can be affected by many more factors than a high VHF or UHF signal? Most notably, FM radio, LED bulbs, weather, etc?

[@jeffreykoerber6595]

I’m in Northern MD and can get the trash signal of WPVI (ATSC 1.0) on many summer nights; many times better than the other Philly stations. It’s cool that they still use their old news theme from the 70s. Also, K03IM-D is the only ATSC 3.0 station that I know of that is in 4K. They have three 4K, two 1080p and one 480p.

[@johnpinckney4979]

@@jeffreykoerber6595 I'm trying to think why your name is ringing bells with me! I just looked at the tech specs on K03IM-D. What a joke! I run more RF power on six meters (50-54 MHz) than they do! 56 watts! That's supposed to impress? I do like their video specs at 4K for the most part. But, that bit rate of 4-5 Mbps per stream shows the limitations of working with a 6 MHz wide channel. It would be interesting to see what their 1080p streams look like at 600 Kbps and 750 Kbps.

[@johnpinckney4979]

@@Swoliosis1 Definitely confirm! That's why they need to run more power than 45KW ERP. Channel 6 can have problems with FM stations at the bottom of the dial. There's also electrical interference from poorly maintained aerial plant (Think arcing at insulators on poles.) not to mention Sporadic E-Skip bringing-in co-channel stations from about 1,000 miles away. A weak signal opens up those gremlins. But, as a broadcaster, on a daily basis, I'll take the lower transmitter electric bill of a low-band VHF over the cost of a VHF-Hi or UHF. Remember that Digital has the transmitter running at a 100% duty cycle. In the analog days, the video transmitter power consumption varied with how "dark" the modulation depth of the video was.

[@Swoliosis1]

@@johnpinckney4979 My experience with WPVI has been very frustrating... I am relatively new to OTA. I am about 45 miles from WPVI.. I thought I had NO HOPE of receiving it... especially after installing a High-VHF / UHF antenna in my attic. Low and behold, night 1... WPVI came in clear as a bell! I was flabbergasted... Then on day 2.. it didn't... I did tons of research... and decided that I'd modify the high-VHF dipole for RF6... there were no other VHF channels I was interested in. Eureka!! It came in perfectly for months... until it did not.... You can see similar results from a live scanner near my location... see the huge recent light green gap? It is not just me... rabbitears.info/tvdx/render_graph/108123BC/tuner0/WPVI-TV/-180days/now Though it seems to be improving a bit here recently... I gather it is something to do with the season? Either that, or a problem at the station?? I'm now battling with the idea of further modifications.... or maybe buying an ATSC 3.0 tuner as they do broadcast on UHF now... but you need the 3.0 tuner..... Quite a battle!

[@MacSociety]

Thanks for the review. I now own a ZapperBox M1 but wanted a 2nd device for our master bedroom and just don't have the $200 to $275 to do that so this cheaper ADTH may be a perfect addition for upstairs. I like the ZapperBox M1 and will be our main box but having a 2nd device for a 2nd room will be nice. I used your affiliate link so hopefully you see a few $$ from when I buy one.

[@somapersona]

A DVR that works off of the ota guide information is still needed (that searches by show name and not broadcast time). It seems like this still lacks that. Because it's software based maybe they might add that later though. I'll consider it when one major network shows SOMETHING in 4k

[@AntennaMan]

I don't think the major networks will ever provide something in 4K for free. They will likely charge for it. See video below: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGemlpV4fL9rjsU

[@somapersona]

@@AntennaMan That might be a short sighted strategy for them. I bet one of the free video on demand services produces something must see in 4k at some point.

[@matthewcrowley9204]

Very informative, as usual. I get most ATSC 1.0 channels pretty good but occasionally a few of them will get choppy. I will probably eventually get this (or some other ATSC 3.0) tuner; definitely will wait until the dvr functionality has more features and is out of early beta stage.

[@luis01albertor]

¡Gracias!

[@AntennaMan]

Thanks so much ❤️

[@BetaEngineer]

I like how ADTH brings major improvements to every update. I got Kodi and VLC (32 bit) each installed, but can't get the select button on the remote to work in Kodi. Also tried an HEVC 4:2:2 file and seems to be no-go.

[@dennisgarber]

You got vlc installed. Great to hear.! I installed some iptv app, I think. Kinda worked but not perfectly. A pita to get to, so I abandoned the box 3 months ago. It is just sitting there disconnected. It was a little more iffy on certain stations, and tuned slower than my built in Sony. The DVR sucked because no compression, no ability to fast forward or find your precious place. Without compression all of my external USB powered hard could barely keep up, and too many failures. No 1980 vrc schedule available. I was thinking of giving it to a relative. Might be useful for an antenna pointing in the opposite direction. They should add iptv and improve the DVR, then it would be nice. I like the hdmi seamless interface, no special remote needed, which the tablo lacks.

[@kalijasin]

ADTH box hasn’t worked well for me. I get pixelation, freezing, and signals drop off. I had to go back to my old IVIEW-3500STBA III ATSC 1.0 box

[@johnpinckney4979]

Tyler, to answer answer your question about finding the frequency for a given digital channel, use this formula: F=6N+389, with N being the channel number.

[@be236]

Or Google will tell you the frequency for the RF channel number.

[@johnpinckney4979]

@@be236 And if you don't have an Internet connection? That's part of the concern here when it comes to DRM, isn't it? Not requiring an Internet connection...

[@be236]

@@johnpinckney4979 Yeah, requiring Internet to get DRM channels really sucks! Not sure how they can ever resolve that, other than FCC stepping in somehow.

[@AntennaMan]

Thanks for sharing! I didn't know there was a formula. I still don't understand why ADTH thought the average non technical consumer (who think HD antennas are a thing) would know the specific frequencies TV channels.

[@netnhamradio]

only for uhf channels tho

[@jamesm568]

I have this exact same box as I ordered it when it was a pre-order and it was janky AF when it first came out. It has gotten better over time, but a lot of it I blame on Android. The tuner is kind of iffy and I honestly don't know how to find TV channels by frequency as I prefer using channel numbers. I also didn't know this thing was a DVR unless that was something new they added?

[@AntennaMan]

You have to turn on beta mode in the settings in order to gain access to the DVR feature. I provided instructions in the video.

[@jamesm568]

@@AntennaMan I seen it was a beta only thing. The box is still a little janky to be testing out any beta features with it so far as I'm trying to keep it as stable as possible for now. I do have to reboot it sometimes as it magically loses reception.

[@samanthadrennan]

Thanks Tyler! I may get this to take care of that ABC Philly issue. I would definitely get it through the link.

[@ebullientnucleus9448]

The review did not mention ATSC 3.0 audio or radio services. How well does the tuner work with those?

[@raymondmartin6737]

Like you said ATSC 1.0 is well received here about 30 miles NW of Boston in Southern NH, on the top 4th floor of our apt, plus being on a hill at about 300 feet above sea level, with indoor antennas. With moving them around and now with the $60.00 ATSC 3,0 Dongle, I have managed to scan up to 85 channels and subchannels. The hardest to receive here is WENH Channel 11 PBS about 35 miles NE from here and ABC, WMUR, only 20 miles slightly NW of here on Channel 9, near Manchester, NH. Both are using the actual HI VHF channels, which really are more difficult to receive than the others on UHF, probably a lot to do with antenna size.😊

[@n1kkri]

Will these new ATSC 3.0 converters always require a internet connection for DRM channels?

[@AntennaMan]

That's to be determined.

[@rgarza7264]

I ended up returning the ADTH tuner i ordered last month. I’m in Austin, TX and there are two lighthouse stations. One lighthouse station came in just fine, but then would start stuttering. The other would just spin and spin and not play the channels on that lighthouse. Their UI is horrible, as well. It’s not ready for prime time.

[@AntennaMan]

The spinning issue on the 3.0 channels might've been related to a weak signal from your antenna ais it's what ATSC 3.0 does when the signal is low. It doesn't pixelate like ATSC 1.0.

[@kalijasin]

The UI is clunky and hard to navigate.

[@joe10117]

2024 April it was a hard choice what ATSC 3.0 box to purchase previously had zapperbox earlier time amount of channels didnt match my LG tuner.. so I decided to buy ADTH tuner for what little I record I didn t want to over pay and be disapointed

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Another great video and not a bad product for the price !

[@joe10117]

Question how sensitive is this ADTH 3.0 tuner compared to zapperbox can we see a side by side compared sensitivity matters too me...

[@AntennaMan]

No way for me to tell exactly but both tuners seemed to pick up all of the channels fine in my area.

[@joe10117]

thank you question maybe you can cannot find out WNYE TV PBS steadily holding on is it my tv filter televees antenna you reccomended allowing this to happen or did WNYE PBS 25 NYC switch RF signal hard to tell no contact at website they have

[@missyandbrianh.8578]

I got a message in my news feed the other day about a Channel Master ATSC 3.0 tuner box that they were releasing. Have you seen anything about this?

[@hadenoughok]

thank you for the updates

[@monkeymanstones1]

I am goinv to have to dig to discover which ATSC standard my most recent TV with a built in tuner has. Vizio PX65-G1 because the manual and android remote don't seem to show it. Because it's a few years old there's zero chance it's ATSC 3, but hopefully it's not locked to ATSC 1... I suppose I should check to see if Vizio offers an ATSC 3 component to plug into the antenna input for the PX65-G1. Seems doubtful though.

[@joe10117]

will you ever do a video on the Zinwell NextGen TV Box

[@joe10117]

great video can you do a two room set up using same antenna I d be interested how well that workd

[@TheProjectHelpDesk]

Looks like this could be a good future option. But since my Tablo was on sale for $79 I think it still has an edge. Although Tablo missing an HDMI option does give this one a little bump. Tablo 4th gen is still buggy as well. We are currently working multiple issues with support...... and not good support.

[@AntennaMan]

All new tech products will have bugs for weeks or months after they're first released. It's one of the reasons I waited to review this product along with the newest generation Tablo.

[@johnc2404]

Nice review. I wonder how this compares to the one from Geniatech and Vbox Communications? Would you do a review of those also and select a winner? Those seem to be the only three on the market for now.

[@cjcox]

While I think the answer is obvious, I think it would be helpful to know if the DVR files stored on user supplied media were playable outside of the unit (that is, are they unencrypted). Logic says "no", but still, this is of interest as that's the type of DVR flexibility we have today with ATSC 1.0. For example, the ability to take a DVR recorded show and move it to our Plex Media Server. AFAIK, this will never be possible with ATSC 3.0 DRM encrypted recordings.

[@AAa-qd8hb]

No Play Back of recordings on other devices have ("No sound issues") because of Dolby AC4 audio codec used in ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN-TV does not have a legal open source license to decode legally on many devices.

[@AntennaMan]

You can play recordings of ATSC 1.0 channels and ATSC 3.0 channels that don't have DRM on other devices. DRM encrypted channels won't play on anything but the ADTH tuner. Things seem to be going in this direction. Broadcasters don't want you to save a copy of a program forever. They want it to be tied to a device and expire so you keep watching their channe

[@CommodoreFan64]

ATSC 3.0 is just a complete mess, and so are these boxes using custom versions of Android that I have a feeling will only get a few updates at best, and then leave consumers with a giant security hole, or a box not able to decode the channels when they update the security keys. Stay ATSC 1.0 if you can get your channels fine, or just stream since you need internet for ATSC 3.0 to work anyways, as many local TV stations offer their newscast on an app, or via their website.

[@kensmith5694]

I really am not worried about updates. My toaster and my microwave haven't had an update. I expect a TV to be just like that. You buy it and it works basically forever with not even once connecting to the internet.

[@CommodoreFan64]

@@kensmith5694 You clearly don't get it, that's not how this works with ATSC 3.0 it needs a consistent internet connection for the ever changing DRM decryption keys, so it's always updating every time you tune into an ATSC 3.0 DRM encrypted channel, or it won't work, plus if the version of Android on the turner box stops getting updates, and thus becomes uncertified you can't watch those ATSC 3.0 channels period, and you are also left with a potential security hole in your home network. So again this is not ATSC 1.0 of buy it once, and forget about it!!! Know what you're speaking about before speaking!

[@kensmith5694]

@@CommodoreFan64 o, you are the one who doesn't get it. DRM and encryption is junk. It makes a nonsense of "the public airwaves". It is not needed and it is just making trouble for people who want to watch TV. It is technology that is making life worse. Anyone who is in favor of it should be flogged around the fleet, keelhauled and then kicked. The day my TV needs to be connected to the internet to work is the day it goes out to the curb. If I need the internet, I may as well just watch cat videos on a computer.

[@CommodoreFan64]

@@kensmith5694 No dude you clearly missed what I'm saying, as I'm not in favor of it based on my original comment, I'm just saying what it is, and how ATSC 3.0 works, so if, and when ATSC 1.0 get shut down we are shi*t out of luck for OTA TV if we don't fight the DRM instead of just being a luddite, and going whatever, and not worrying about it, as it's a public safety issue if the internet goes down, and there is an emergency/disaster with people needing to know what to do, and a small taste of it was shown what can happen yesterday with AT&T's wireless network being down, which means for many who only have a phone, and no other way to access the internet they were sh%t out of luck, and they would have been even more so if we only had DRM ATSC 3.0, so we need to fight it, and fight it hard.

[@poppy87]

Ultimately this will fail to gain any ground in the market place for several reasons: 1. Lack of awareness. I dont know a single person that is even aware atsc3.0 is available. 2. Manufacturers like LG are bailing because of patten trolls. 3. Drm is making each device pointless. 4. Streaming is clearly the preferred delivery method nowadays. While an antenna can supplement services ( I personally have an American flag and indoor antenna ) and antennas have the best pure signal to watch sports, people like the simplicity of using internet services, especially as it offers a clean look with wall mounted tvs. 4. Lack of government support/oversite. The conversion from analog to digital signals allowed a lot more spectrum to be reclaimed by the government and they provided financial support for purchasing converter boxes.

[@admirals818]

My first reaction: Why can't we just get a remote with channel numbers on a tuner like this? Otherwise, it has potential if it improves the DVR feature, and allows entering RF numbers. I'd rather not have to look up the frequency.

[@AntennaMan]

I'm also not a fan of the slow removal of channel numbers on remotes. The last two TVs I purchased don't have them (Fire TVs) and it seems that Roku smart TVs don't have them either. Thankfully, you can favorite channels on the ADTH tuner.

[@martytoo]

If an ATSC 3.0 channel is available do most or all of the broadcasters allow decoding the video? Thanks, Antennaman!

[@art1bazan]

Thank you so much..the only ch I cannot get is my local ch 12 here on San Antonio tx. So mad about it

[@robertr1096]

I watch my local over the air channels via desktop with internal Hauppauge tuner. I can schedule recordings up to two weeks in advance using Titan TV. No lack of storage on my hard drive and no monthly fees.

[@kensmith5694]

Yes, that will work until they screw it up for you. I have a USB tuner thing. It works fine and the software I have works well enough.

[@gamerroger1146]

I bought this tuner box and have a really good Outdoor Antenna setup. I receive all the ATSC 1.0 channels normally but none of the ATSC 3.0 channels. Don't exactly know why. The tv signals I'm getting is from New York City. I don't if that has anything to do with it

[@smithman19751]

Great video. How is the sensitivity on this tuner for weak or distant 3.0 broadcast; compared to the few other ATSC 3.0 boxes?

[@AntennaMan]

I can't say for sure other then this unit picked up all of the channels available in my area (strong and weak) fine after the most recently software update.

[@bccphotec]

Opposite for me. Live 47 mi. from Phoenix xmitters. No terrain or interferance barriers. My 6 existing ATSC 1 devices heavily out-performed this unit. It consistently pulled only 2 ATSC 3 channels, even after the last update that he mentioned. I have assisted testing it this past year, as a retired broadcast engineer. Very disappointing.

[@badluckbart3424]

We literally cut the cable to our satellite dish 5 years ago. Thank goodness for streaming because in my area of Florida only one lowball UHF station can be received with an antenna. Our 2nd home in North Georgia is the same deal, only one UHF station can be received with an antenna. We'd love to be able to DVR programs we like, but it appears that the available DVRs are all OTA. Any suggestions?

[@Chris-tf7gi]

Nice tuner. Won't buy that or any other as long as ATSC 3.0 has any encryption requiring an internet connection phoning home.

[@tomgeriak3757]

Can you please clarify the saved .TS files are accessible and can be manipulated (converted to a different file format). Yes I would assume a file recorded from a DRM encrypted 3.0 channel can't be moved or manipulated, but what about a program recorded from a 3.0 channel that was not encrypted with DRM? Can it be played in VLC player and have the fast forward functionality? If so you could render the video and play it through Jellyfin from a server. If not then it is best to stick with 1.0 broadcast recordings. Also HEVC codec uses AC4 Dolby that can't be decoded without a license (big issue with HDHomerun Flex 4k).

[@AntennaMan]

I was able to play the .TS files of ATSC 1.0 channels on my laptop. I didn't try recording ATSC 3.0 channels that are open but can tell you the .TS files of the DRM encrypted 3.0 channels did not play on any device that wasn't the ADTH box. Things seem to be going in this direction. Broadcasters don't want you to save a copy of a program forever. They want it to be tied to a device and expire so you keep watching their channel.

[@tomgeriak3757]

@@AntennaMan thank you for the reply. I have tested the HDHOMERUN 4K flex recording with Jellyfin. Both the 1.0 and 3.0 .TS files can be moved and manipulated with software to remove commercials, however the Dolby AC4 does not record on the 3.0 recording in Jellyfin because there is no codec for it at this time. I was told the ffcodec will soon figure this out. With DRM changes soon it looks like HDHomerun will be the only option for a gateway device.

[@richardwernst]

Thanks, timely. Do you happen to know if the current Tablo 4 channel supports ATSC 3.0? I just received mine ordered from their site.

[@AntennaMan]

The Tablo does not support ATSC 3.0 but it does not have to yet as we are still in the very early stages of ATSC 3.0. The current 1.0 standard will be around for a very long time. See video linked in the description.

[@richardwernst]

@@AntennaMan THANKS! (I hate that youtube stopped sending emails when folks I'm subscribed to post a new video, not sure how/if notifications go to anyone now).

[@VincentVader]

I bought the Homeworx DVR tuner you made a video on. It stopped working after about a year. I wonder of this one is any better?

[@kensmith5694]

I have had one fail too. The issue is a problem in the power supply circuit. It is a design fault. The capacitors they are using to smooth out the power don't last while passing that much ripple current.

[@AntennaMan]

This one is probably better since it's made by a US-based company rather than a generic company from China.

[@matthewcrowley9204]

I had a homeworx unit fail after 9 months. I bought a naxa unit instead because the power supply transformer is not inside the unit but outside where you plug it into the wall. I'm hoping it'll be more reliable, and should that fail, I hope I could simply buy another power supply to get the unit working again. Time, of course, will tell...

[@charlie_nolan]

What does it have on the back? I’m guessing just HDMI?

[@AntennaMan]

It has an HDMI output, ethernet port, and AV out jack to connect to an old TV with RCA cables.

[@vkristof1]

​@@AntennaMan Wow! Ethernet in a $90 (your Walmart link) ATSC 3/1 tuner Android box. That's sorta amazing...

[@charlie_nolan]

@@AntennaMan thanks!

[@robertmason7013]

this device is the only one on the market that records DRM encryption that should take care of that issue I find it odd that the 250$ zapper box can't record encrypted channels.

[@AntennaMan]

I believe the Zapperbox should be able to record DRM encrypted channels within the next month or two after a software update. The website lists it as something they're working on.

[@robertmason7013]

@@AntennaMan was there a update for the older models.if so than why all the fuss about DRM encryption.

[@MichaelKluger-y7m]

What format are the recorded files saved in? Would I be able to record to a USB hard drive and then plug the hard drive into a Windows PC to watch the recordings?

[@AntennaMan]

It records files in .TS files. You can access recordings of ATSC 1.0 channels on a PC with the USB hard drive but recordings on ATSC 3.0 channels are encrypted and won't play.

[@MichaelKluger-y7m]

@@AntennaMan Thanks for the reply. I wonder whether the manufacturer will release any software to allow the encrypted ATSC 3 files to be played on a PC. Since the device can decrypt and play the files, it should be possible for a PC to do so as well, with the correct software.

[@tomgeriak3757]

Can you please clarify the saved .TS files are accessible and can be manipulated (converted to a different file format). Yes I would assume a file recorded from a DRM encrypted 3.0 channel can't be moved or manipulated, but what about a program recorded from a 3.0 channel that was not encrypted with DRM? Can it be played in VLC player and have the fast forward functionality? If so you could render the video and play it through Jellyfin from a server. If not then it is best to stick with 1.0 broadcast recordings. Also HEVC codec uses AC4 Dolby that can't be decoded without a license (big issue with HDHomerun Flex 4k).

[@timbo303official9]

Surprised you had no issues with the adth box. Yes you can sideload apps on the box it has an app section which you likely used in the app and in the system settings itself. However one thing to note is the app is unusable on a pihole dns household as the app crashes everytime you load an atsc 3.0 channel. You have to exclude it from pihole. Edit: I think this wasnt the case might just be issues with the box being in sleep mode.

[@Swoliosis1]

Eh? Why not just allow the addresses it wants to resolve?

[@riceburner4747]

Thank u Tyler! Now, for an "Ole fart" on a fixed income, what do we do if u have no internet service & basically use antennas like when WE were kids on 3.0? What boxes do we need? Or what are our options? U have helped me immensely on antenna choices, or I would have definitely bought the wrong one 👍

[@AntennaMan]

No need to worry about any changes right now. We're still in the very early stages of ATSC 3.0. All of your current equipment will continue to work for at least another ten years. See video below: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnzNm2iui79opLs

[@mreburto239]

I bought this box when it first came out in December. I just installed the unit today on an older Vizio 4k tv. The colors are richer via this tuner than on the installed Vizio Atsc 1.0 tuner. I like the ad-free program guide, my tv does not have Vizio’s Watchfree+ program guide. I had to use SlingFree’s program guide which compresses the antenna signal. The big selling point with 3.0 is that it is 4k compatible but my local stations are broadcasting in 1080p and 720p. My local PBS and ABC stations have interactive menus embedded in their 3.0 channels with lots of content. Antenna Man did not cover the interactive channel menus. Wi-Fi capability is a big plus. It’s really not so different than using my Roku remote. 😐In the evening, haven't been able to tune to the ATSC 3.0 stations. It works during the day, but not at night. My ATSC 1.0 tuner works at night. I am using a splitter to connect to 2 different tuning devices.

[@AntennaMan]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I don't really notice things like richer colors. Any HD video signal looks fine to me. In fact, I'd have no issue if all channels were 720p.

[@butterbur4migraine]

​@AntennaMan can you review the The Zinwell "NextGen TV Box" (Model ZAT-600B)? World's first NextGen TV Device Certified by A3SA for Unconnected Operation. (No Internet Connection Required for DRM Encrypted Channels.)

[@AntennaMan]

I plan to review this in a few weeks. @LonSeidman just reviewed it so be sure to watch it on his channel in the meantime.

[@robbol848]

Will getting this device help me if my current antenna will no longer pickup the channel that converted to nextgen??? Was oblivious to the conversion entering my San Antonio market till just a couple days ago. It went into effect thus afternoon. I was forced to realize it because the change caused me to lose the ABC affiliate though not the sub channels underneath. Found the affiliate's web page describing this change but it unhelpfully suggested I get a new "outdoor" antenna than the channel master flat indoor antenna I've been using if a rescan didn't bring it back.

[@Swoliosis1]

This is actually a decent unit... The box seems to pick up the weaker ATSC 1.0 channels better than my TV Tuner (assuming it finds them via scanning)... and the ATSC 3.0 channels all come in, with clarity... The guide although finicky, is a nice touch... One annoyance is the delay between selecting the channel and the picture coming in perfectly.. So if you are a "channel surfer", this may be a deal breaker. Also, having to use a second remote... is annoying, though it can perform some of the TV functions via its remote (power on / volume). I'm a little let down by the "tweakability" of the unit. Example: The volume control simply hijacks my TV's volume control... the device does not have a "built in" volume control... at least not one that I have found.

[@be236]

Cool unit, one that actually can decode DRM channels. Seems some minor drawbacks are: slow when changing to ASTC 3.0 channel and the recording feature is too basic. I'm in a market where it's hard for me to get my major broadcast stations on ATSC 1.0 (I live blocked by large hills).. hopefully I can get them on ATSC 3.0.. well, maybe I can get this unit on Amazon and try it out and return it if it doesnt work out...

[@AntennaMan]

For now it's only available for purchase on Walmart.com and the ADTH website.

[@capndavey1]

I was going to get one when they came out had issues with the site ordered one from Walmart about 4 weeks ago tuner seems to work better then the one in the TCL rouku TV

[@AntennaMan]

It's a decent tuner for sure!

[@leetingler619]

Have you checked out the new Channel Master tuner?

[@AntennaMan]

Not yet. Hopefully soon!

[@tomgeriak3757]

Kind of sucks to only get 12-24 hours of EPG data. This makes setting up dvr recordings a major hassle. Too bad i could not use my Schedules Direct subscription with it.

[@kensmith5694]

The EPG issue is less of a problem than what he said about how buggy the recording feature is. In the small hours of the morning tomorrow there is an old movie I haven't seen. The DVR feature of this this is so broken that you can't set it up to record it while I sleep.

[@tomgeriak3757]

@@kensmith5694 I would assume not ready for prime time yet for the market. It would be great to get more feedback after April if ADTH updates the firmware. I tested the HDHomerun Flex 4k a while back and it worked great as a DVR using Jellyfin and Schedules Direct however when you recorded a 3.0 Non encrypted channels it did not playback any sound because the open source decoder in Jellyfin could not decode AC4 sound because Dolby needs to have a license. I am told this may get fixed this year by the open source ffcodec. I just don't want to pay $35 more a year for a DVR subscription from Channels DVR.

[@Jim.D]

After many beta updates, this tuner box has improved. You can now choose the uhf/vhf channel you want to scan manually and not just the frequency, also the dvr is now functioning. Maybe time for an updated video?

[@AntennaMan]

It's not worth remaking a whole video based on a very minor change that lets you chose the UHF/VHF channel and not the frequency.

[@dgblac0]

Great video I learned a lot.

[@ChuckBronson100]

Hi Tyler, Have you looked into the new version of the TabloTv device? I have mostly Samsung TVS and that won’t work on them. When I go to there site they say Samsung is coming soon. Do you have any updated inside info? Thanks Tyler

[@AntennaMan]

I don't have anymore info than Tablo has. They are working on an app for Samsung TV.

[@Swoliosis1]

Device only uses 2-3 watts at idle... 4-5 watts while displaying channel.

[@ricktaylor26]

Does it have a monthly subscription. Fee ?Thanks Tyler For all that you do

[@kensmith5694]

It doesn't yet. That is all we can say. With DRM, they can change that.

[@AntennaMan]

As mentioned in the video, there is no monthly fee.

[@kensmith5694]

@@AntennaMan You forgot to add "yet". It used to be that heated seats in a car was an installed feature. Now it gets a monthly fee. If they can do it for that they can do it for decoding OTA TV.

[@LM-wq4fe]

I’m waiting for the adth usb tuner

[@MikeRupertus2112]

Tyler says "in plain English there is no 4k tv" ??? Well, really curious about the Paris 2024 olympics. I read that the whole thing is being produced in 4k. Where does that leave us? Will the summer olympics this year be available OTA in 4k and hopefully HDR? I believe I've seen 1080p HDR10 from a streaming service I use and I have to say it looked amazing. Hopefully we get HDR10 soon on broadcast TV.

[@davidriley1702]

6:33 move closer to your world @antenna man

[@japi74pierce84]

I looked at my antenna results in my area now I have a low VHF CHANNEL 4

[@bradbortner2601]

I’m kind of meh on atscj 3.0 until the dust settles, but I would like a solution to record OTA broadcasts occasionally. Would this be a good solution for that ? Is there something less expensive?

[@abstraconcept]

Is there an option to update firmware without internet? Such as via a flash drive? A large part of the draw for over the air broadcasts to people like me is independence from the internet and lack of bidirectional communication which concretely prevents any creepy user surveillance, analysis, analytics. Additionally, I am curious if there are any non-DRM receivers available for purchase? I for one could not stand even a cent going to A3SA or similarly corrupting organisations.

[@AntennaMan]

I believe the file of the firmware update can be installed on a flash drive and loaded on the device but I'm not 100% sure. See video below for a 3.0 device that is non-DRM. The HDHomerun is another option. I agree with your thought process of not giving a cent to the A3SA to continue to gate keep devices. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWLPo62br7qqsM0

[@Swoliosis1]

Hey Tyler.... What kind of options (if any) does this device have related to audio?? I have an issue w/ my current setup (TV Tuner)... where the sound level is much lower on my OTA channels than they are on my streaming services.. probably because of how the TV downmixes the 5.1 audio to my rather primitive stereo setup... Not sure if you can comment on this specific situation or not..

[@AntennaMan]

You can control the volume output on the ADTH tuner to match the volume of other streaming services on your TV.

[@bertraminc9412]

The Zapperbox freezes up every day because it uses Google software. What is this using?

[@AntennaMan]

This ADTH tuner uses the same Android-based software but a different app developed by ADTH rather than Zapperbox.

[@kalijasin]

These boxes don’t have the processing and tuning power for ATSC 3.0.

[@jpvoodoo5522]

Other than buying an atsc 3.0 tuner, is there a way to find out whether the atsc 3.0 stations near me are even drm encrypted? Can we assume all fox, nbc, abc, and CBS nextgen stations are encrypting?

[@kensmith5694]

I think there are on line sites that give it I just tried one and it didn't work

[@johnmoyer2849]

When do we start paying for ota channels?It's coming.

[@polarvortex6601]

yes its coming that's why they are encrypted, cable model over the air. as you said, its coming, people that buy the boxes are giving away their freedom to watch free over the air tv without any incumbence whatsoever

[@kensmith5694]

It has already started. When you buy the box, you are buying from a company that had to pay a silly nonsense "certification" fee. The cost of this is passed along to you.

[@AntennaMan]

Probably in 15-20 years. The broadcasters are hoping to push ATSC 3.0 to the FCC and shut down ATSC 1.0 within the next ten years. After that, it's the wild west.

[@warsaw28]

I have this box and I love it. 😜

[@JustinTire]

Does this DVR require Wi-Fi to use? I can never trust DVRs that do that.

[@cmgutmann9556]

Can i connect it to my Labtop as long as it has a place for HDMI which it does. Alsp is there a subscription or is it a one time cost?

[@AntennaMan]

Yes you can connect it to your laptop if the laptop has an HDMI input or if you order an HDMI card. There is no subscription with this unit.

[@common_c3nts]

The FCC really needs to enforce no DRM on OTA broadcasts. DRM is going to kill ATSC 3.0. What is the point of OTA when it requires an internet connection??? The FCC needs to give all the OTA spectrum away to companies that dont have DRM.

[@AntennaMan]

Part of me thinks the FCC isn't doing anything because they're waiting for the broadcasters to fall flat on their face with DRM on ATSC 3.0. There have been nothing but problems with it so far. It's so bad that it likely hurt consumer adoption of ATSC 3.0.

[@common_c3nts]

@@AntennaMan I hope no TV manufactures install ATSC 3.0 tuners, only 2.0. That will ensure it and drm dies. You cant have OTA that relies on internet. I was not alive then, but this seems like a repeat of ON TV. My dad called it Sears TV. We were in the chicago area. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ON_TV_(TV_network) When I was a kid, I saw him remove a small arm antenna attachment off the main roof antenna. He said it was from when Sears had a TV service and is not used anymore.

[@common_c3nts]

@@AntennaMan You should make a video about those 70s/80s pay OTA services like ON TV and Selectv.

[@AntennaMan]

@@common_c3nts I already made a video on them. Look up "Paid OTA TV service expands"

[@rkmklz7562]

Here we go again?.... another Cable TV box....it is weird we end up going backwards...I recently connected an Antenna...I found all network stations...but..the TV keeps going back to smart cast .. keeps saying I am not connected to a network....how do i get rid of it... keep it from that.... thanks for the videos 😊

[@bluegrassman3458]

Are there any ATSC 3.0 TV’s on the market and this time?

[@XY-fx9yl]

Set it up yesterday and was disappointed. The built in tuner on my TV picks up almost double the channels. I had to run the ADTH scan 3 times to get most of the channels my TV does. Then when I go to those channels, it says no signal. Also, the box picked up more channels before I updated it to the latest firmware...

[@AntennaMan]

Check the coax connection. Make sure that it's tight and that no wires intersect it.