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Cut the Cord: New Amazon Fire Smart TVs Boost Over-the-Air Options

Cut the Cord: New Amazon Fire Smart TVs Boost Over-the-Air Options

Panasonic’s latest models of Fire TVs will include ATSC 3.0 tuners, which will unlock some brand-new capabilities for viewers.

David Satin
David covers the biggest news stories, live events, premieres, and informational pieces for The Streamable. Before joining TS, he wrote extensively for Screen Rant and has years of experience writing about the entertainment and streaming industries. He's a Broncos fan, streams on his Toshiba Fire TV, and his favorites include "Andor," "Rings of Power," and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."
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David Satin
Amazon is equipping a new line of smart TVs with an upgraded tuner packed with possibilities.

Most audiences may not even realize it, but smart TVs made in recent years almost always have an over-the-air (OTA) tuner built in to help owners receive local channels. Often these tuners are so underpowered that an extra connected antenna is needed to watch local networks, but Amazon is looking to improve on that problem in its latest line of Fire TV devices manufactured by Panasonic. Those TVs will ship later this month and will include tuner technology that could unlock some amazing new features for buyers.

Key Details:

  • Amazon’s new Panasonic-made Fire TVs will have ATSC 3.0 tuners built in.
  • These tuners offer advanced interactive features.
  • The new tech will be available with a firmware update sometime after the TVs ship.
The Z95 is one of the new lines of Panasonic smart TVs with the upgraded tuner.

As reported by AFTV News, the new TVs from Amazon and Panasonic that ship starting on Sept. 18 will come equipped with ATSC 3.0 tuners, a big upgrade from the ATSC 1.0 tuners that currently are included with Amazon Fire TV sets from other manufacturers.

These new tuners will include the ability to radically change the way viewers watch over-the-air channels. Not only do such tuners support Ultra-High-Definition 4K viewing and High Dynamic Range (HDR) and improve audio quality, but they also come with interactive features, such as the ability to access on-demand video and two-way interactivity. They can even allow viewers to change camera angles while watching TV if their chosen channel offers such an option.

These tuners will be included in three new lines of Panasonic Fire TVs: the W95 Series, the Z85A Series and the Z95 Series. These are higher-end sets that will retail for $1,299.99 and up and will offer 4K displays, HDR 10, Dolby Atmos sound, and more features in addition to the ATSC 3.0 tuners.

The new TVs will also ship with ATSC 1.0 technology, and indeed viewers will have to use these tuners for a period of time after receiving their new sets. AFTV News reports the upgraded tuners will need a firmware update before they can be used by customers, which will be handed down sometime after the sets ship on Sept. 18.

The new, more interactive tuners could be a big upgrade, especially for fans who use OTA channels to watch sports. The NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans were the latest team to announce that they would move off a cable channel in favor of OTA networks for their locally-broadcast games. The ability to watch these games in 4K and switch camera angles at will would be a huge upgrade to the viewing experience of fans who play their games on broadcast channels going forward.

Amazon Fire TV

Amazon Fire TV is a streaming device that can be used to watch Live TV Streaming Services and On Demand Streaming Services.

Limited Warranty

Your Amazon Fire TV probably isn’t covered against mishaps and malfunctions. We’ve partnered with 5Devices to give The Streamable readers a protection plan for any internet-connected device, including your Amazon Fire TV, iPhone, etc starting at $2.67 per device per month. And the good news is that it covers devices you already use (ie. no need for proof of new purchase).

David Satin
David covers the biggest news stories, live events, premieres, and informational pieces for The Streamable. Before joining TS, he wrote extensively for Screen Rant and has years of experience writing about the entertainment and streaming industries. He's a Broncos fan, streams on his Toshiba Fire TV, and his favorites include "Andor," "Rings of Power," and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."
Read full bio ›
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