What is HDTV?

High Definition Television (HDTV) is a type of Digital Television (DTV) that combines extremely high resolution with Dolby Surround Sound capabilities. HDTV provides a crisp, detailed image. HDTV screens are wider than they are tall, providing a panoramic view, similar to a movie screen. This allows you to see movies as they were filmed without reformatting. There are also HDTV-capable sets that look like regular televisions, but provide HDTV formatting in a letterbox presentation (with black bars on the top and bottom of the TV image).

What do I need to get HDTV?

You will need an HDTV set and a HDTV Digital Box. ATMC offers a HDTV digital box with a built in decoder. You will also need component video (RGB) cables and audio cables to connect this equipment.

What is the difference between analog cable, digital cable and HDTV?

Analog cable is the same signal that has been around for years. It is a relatively low bandwidth (as it is off-air), composite signal (all video and audio information in one). Digital cable is digitally encoded, standard definition video. Digital provides superior color resolution, particularly when used with component connections, and it is not susceptible to things like Radio Frequency and Electromagnetic interference that can affect analog signals. HDTV, like standard digital, is digitally encoded video, but at roughly 6 times the resolution of standard definition television. This provides you with clearer and crisper images plus wide screen viewing.

What is the difference between the digital box and the HDTV digital box?

They look and function the same, but the high-definition digital converter is designed to pass the high-definition signals needed to view HDTV signals on your HDTV set.

I already have a High Definition television. Do I still need ATMC's HDTV digital box?

Yes. You will need the HDTV digital converter to receive the HDTV programming.

What type of audio quality does the HDTV terminal support?

The audio is primarily Dolby AC3 surround.

When is ATMC going to have more HDTV programming?

We will be adding high-definition programming as it becomes available to us. ATMC needs to work out carriage agreements with the programmers as the new channels become available for distribution. This HDTV web page will be updated when any new HDTV programming is added.

Why do my regular digital and analog channels not have the same clarity as the HDTV channels on my HDTV?

Because HD Channels are broadcast at a much higher resolution than standard definition channels. Your analog and standard digital channels are still able to be viewed on your HDTV, but they will not be in high definition.