At the show, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Comark and TeamCast are showing what they call “the world’s first terrestrial broadcast of full ATSC3.0 technology.” The demonstration features a live transmission of MPEG-H HEVC Ultra HD video and MPEG-H 3D audio content.

“Comark believes that ATSC 3.0 provides an important step forward for U.S. broadcasters to bring additional capabilities and services to U.S. consumers.” says Richard E. Fiore, Jr., President & CEO for Comark Communications LLC. “Our participation in this live over-the-air demonstration at the CES show demonstrates our long standing commitment to DTV broadcasters in the U.S.”

A UHDTV “4K” transmission signal is being sent to the Las Vegas Convention Center and displayed on new Samsung 4K televisions as well as smaller mobile devices. The Comark LPTV-8000 low-power transmitter, located in the Black Mountain, Las Vegas area, was specifically installed for the event. The solid-state transmitter (which is in use both domestically, ATSC, as well as for international markets, DVB-T2) includes the company’s proprietary VORTEX exciter, the latest generation of high-end modulator/exciters designed by TeamCast (based in Rennes, France).

“We are proud to contribute to this over-the-air demo, which constitutes a clear recognition of the openness of our exciter family towards new digital transmission standards, such as the future ATSC 3.0”, says Eric Pinson, Business Unit Manager at TeamCast. “It’s a great opportunity for us to illustrate in real operation our new VORTEX product range, designed to support both ATSC 1.0 and proposed ATSC 3.0 on the same platform, providing the maximum flexibility for broadcasters for transition and simulcast,” adds Pinson.

John Godfrey, Vice President, Public Policy at Samsung Electronics North America, said the new 3.0 technology not only delivers live broadcasts of Ultra HD content to the home, but also enables new user interactions, such as two-way capability for mobile service.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, one of the main developers of technology that might become part of the 3.0 standard when it is expected to be ratified sometime in 2017, first tested the technology at one of its stations in Baltimore in 2013, using the OFDM DVB-T2 modulation scheme. The new standard is not backwards compatible with current TV broadcast technology, requiring broadcasters to buy new exciters for their transmitters (and maybe new, smaller but more powerful RF transmitters) and consumers to buy new tuner/reception devices or TV sets.

Both ABC and CBS have come out publically to state that they are still considering whether to move to the new broadcast system or not. Proponents of the next-generation standard say the industry has to move to a new infrastructure that facilitates not only traditional broadcast TV but also mobile video delivery. Single frequency networks, made up of smaller towers circling a market coverage area, are being considered, but zoning regulations would have to be overcome in many markets.

Several transmitter vendors, including Comark and GatesAir, began showing prototype ATSC 3.0 exciter demonstrations throughout 2014 and will clearly continue going forward.