V-Nova, a developer of video compression and processing IP, and Ateme, a global leader in video compression and delivery solutions, demonstrated a live, over-the-air broadcast delivery of a 4K Ultra-HD service using an MPEG-5 LCEVC (Low Complexity Enhancement Video Coding) enhanced VVC (Versatile Video Coding) signal for ATSC 3.0.

The demonstration featured a live UHD broadcast signal transmitted over the air and received on a set top box compatible with ATSC 3.0 requirements. This milestone demonstrated the viability and readiness of LCEVC as a crucial technology for the next generation of television, enabling broadcasters to deliver superior viewing experiences while maximizing the efficiency of their existing spectrum and infrastructure.

The broadcast leveraged Ateme’s TITAN Live encoder, a platform already deployed in over 40 US markets for ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV transmission. By integrating V-Nova’s LCEVC SDK, the joint solution allows broadcasters to significantly reduce the bitrate required for 4K HDR content by up to 40%, while simultaneously lowering encoding complexity and cost. This breakthrough addresses a critical physical and economic barrier for broadcasters competing with major streaming platforms, making high-quality UHD television a feasible reality within current operational budgets.

The TITAN Live encoder is one of the main elements of the ATSC 3.0 & TV 3.0 airchain, which can be deployed in a single unit thanks to Ateme’s Broadcast Appliance, which also features the Enensys Mediacast & Smartgate for signaling, packaging and broadcast gateway.

MPEG-5 LCEVC is an enhancement standard that works with any base video codec, including VVC, HEVC, and AVC, to improve compression efficiency and reduce processing power requirements. Its inclusion in the ATSC 3.0 A/345 standard provides a future-proofed path for broadcasters to upgrade their services. The technology’s adoption is gaining global momentum, with Brazil already having incorporated LCEVC into its TV 3.0 standard and launched by Globo as DTV+, signaling a growing alignment of broadcast ecosystems across the Americas.