Televes H30Evolution / Sencore SLM-1530 OTA TV Handheld Multifunction Meter

[videobruce]

Televes (Spain) and Sencore (S. Dakota US) have both introduced a small handheld signal level, spectrum monitor communications tester which includes OTA television with options for ATSC3. But, BOTH of these are manufactured by Televes (according to Televes).

This is the 1st device (that I know of and have seen) to adopt what the broadcast industry here in the US is calling "NextGen TV" (typical marketing 'new & improved' glisty marketing term to contuse things even more). Note; ATSC3 uses OFDM, whereas ATSC1 uses 8VSB.  Also note there are very few markets that have any stations that have ATSC3 up and running.

Televes US site is here;
https://h30evolution.televes.com/us

It has 4 what appears to be 'firmware' upgrade options which immediately caught my attention (and hopefully will catch others here also );
Ref 593250  WiFi Analyzer 2.4/5GHz
Ref 593251  IPTV Analyzer
Ref 593252  HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) Display
Ref 593280  ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV

The two base models are the 593581 and the 593582 (which includes the ATSC3 option). At the very bottom of the post is a .pdf of the full specs of the device

Sencore's version & site is here;
https://www.sencore.com/product/slm-1530-atsc3-handheld-signal-level-meter/

Sencore SLM-1530 data sheet;
https://www.sencore.com/app/uploads/2020/06/Datasheet_SEN_SLM1530_EN_v3_2020.06.02.pdf

Sencore's manual;
https://www.sencore.com/app/uploads/2020/06/SLM-1530-User-Manual-V1.0.pdf

The difference is, Sencore apparently only has one version (with all options).

[videobruce]

Being the 1st ATSC3 SLM on the market Sencore was first to announced this the summer of 2020.

 For the not so good news. I inquired about the price of this. Televes without the 4 options is US$1200 and from both with all options is  $2,000. 
The ATSC3 option requires the other three. If that isn't necessary, I believe those can be added separately.

Here are most of the functions shown in their website;

[videobruce]

What I'm not sure about is the compatibility or lack of between 8VSB and OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) as far as using a ATSC1 (8VSB) device to 'read' ATSC3 (OFDM) signals other than just signal strength and looking at the RF haystack which I assume wouldn't be a problem.

Their specs list this for ATSC & ATSC3 (see the attachment in Open Office document format); Note these three in ATSC3 that are different than ATSC; Echoes, BCHBER & LDPCBER

It's not the differences between the two modulation schemes (which is a subject in itself), but how that affects related test equipment.

[ocw]

Two Kansas City TV stations began transmitting ATSC3/NextGen recently on August 24th.  I have been using a Sencore SLM-1530 to receive and analyze their signals from over 100 miles/161 km away.  The attachments shows some of the SLM-1530 screens.  You cannot expect perfect constellation diagrams or parameters due to the distance involved.

[videobruce]

Is there the ability to have the signal level in dBmV instead of dBm?? dBmV has traditionally been the standard for SLM's for decades!

[ocw]

dBmV is the default option.  Often using a signal from a RF sample from a transmitter, dBm is more common for those measurements.  Both are somewhat meaningless when antenna gain and a preamplifier are involved.  dBuV/m would be better, but that requires using a calibrated antenna.