Podcast #1121: 5G Broadcast can Challenge ATSC 3.0

On this week’s show discuss the new Pro-Ject Dark Side of the Moon Turntable and talk about five mistakes to avoid with your earbuds. We finish up with a discussion about 5G Broadcast. Can it do what ATSC 3.0 can. We also read your emails and discuss the week’s news.

News:

• Comcast Plans World’s First DOCSIS 4.0 Service Launch Next Week
• Netflix is planning to launch retail destinations in 2025 - The Verge
• Best Buy is axing physical DVD and Blu-ray business in this depressing digital world
• Netflix Usage Slips Behind YouTube Among U.S. Teens

Other:

• Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4

The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable

The Dark Side of the Moon album is recognized for its artwork almost as much as the music. It shows an enigmatic prism that reflects beams of light into space. It’s a magical and mystical theme that illustrates the band‘s complex sound pallet. For us, it was a no-brainer to create a turntable based on this concept & image.

The result is an extraordinary turntable unlike any the audio market has seen. With high-quality materials were able to implement the core aspects of the artwork. The plinth is made of MDF- a dense, sturdy, resonance-absorbent material. The stainless steel axle of the heavy aluminum sub platter rotates in a bronze bushing. An AC motor drives the sub-platter & platter with a silicon drive belt.

The low-resonance tonearm is a completely new design. It’s definitely one of the highlights of this turntable. The combination of black aluminum & acrylic parts is an eye-catcher to say the least. The supplied Pick it PRO Special Edition MM phono cartridge delivers the rich sonics you would expect from Dark Side of the Moon turntable. With the addition of the LED-backlit rainbow, the turntable looks even more impressive in low light.

As with all Pro-Ject turntables, The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable is handmade with care in Europe! Pre-order with November Delivery $1999.00

5 wireless earbuds mistakes you're probably making

Get the best performance and user experience from your wireless earbuds by avoiding these common mistakes. Full article here…

1. Don't skip the ear fit test - using the correct ear tip size for your ear canal is paramount to achieving optimal audio performance and the best noise-canceling experience. 
2. Don’t leave Active Noise Canceling on - The processing power required to analyze ambient noise levels and cancel them out has a big impact on energy consumption of your wireless earbuds, and can shorten battery life significantly. 
3. Check Audio Settings - make sure you're connected via the highest wireless audio codec over Bluetooth that your earbuds can support from a similarly codec compatible playback device.
4. Take better care of the charging case -  Keeping your earbuds on charge overnight might feel convenient but it could be detrimental to the lifespan of the charging case's internal battery. Longer than necessary recharges can put a strain on the battery, degrading the battery cells and significantly shortening capacity.
5. Download the app and use it periodically - companion apps provide numerous ways to enhance the listening experience through features like adaptive audio, noise canceling modes, and adjustable EQ settings. You will also need the app to upgrade firmware.

What is 5G Broadcast?

5G Broadcast is a one-to-many technology where all mobile device viewers receive the live event through the 5G network. As the devices are effectively passive, adding more devices doesn’t affect the network at all. Therefore, all users have the same high-level quality of experience and service.

Although live video distribution is very important, 5G broadcast/multicast does not necessarily mean mobile TV. In fact, 5G is bringing new broadcast and multicast capabilities to the whole ecosystem. These can include software updates over the network to cars, phones, and other wireless devices

What are some applications:

1. Live events (sporting, festivals, and breaking news) are suitable for the one-to-many distribution model over 5G.
2. Public safety messages are one of the basic 5G broadcast tasks. Think Weather, Flood, Fire etc
3. Automobile manufacturers can update software and firmware as well as media and entertainment systems. 5G Broadcast can help with OTA real-time traffic and V2X delivery. V2X is a system under development that allows vehicles to communicate with each other.
4. 5G multicast can enhance the fan experience in new ways and also bring benefits for MNOs. Venue casting can bring the live experience to the home.
5. 5G can help improve the VoD experience by helping offload 35% of the traffic on mobile networks.

Do we need this?