ATSC Standards
ADVANCED TELEVISION SYSTEMS COMMITTEE STANDARDS DOCUMENTS
How to get the ATSC Standards:
ATSC Standards are available for free by downloading from the ATSC Home Page on the Internet at "http://www.atsc.org".
Most of the ATSC Standards are published in: "A Compilation of Advanced Television Systems Committee Standards." (latest edition).
ATSC members may order books directly from the ATSC at +1 202-828-3130 for the cost of $45.
Non-ATSC members may order from either the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) at +1 914-761-1100, or the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) at +1 202-429-5373.
ATSC Document Descriptions:
Descriptions in bold type are a recommended minimum to specify and understand the ATSC system.
[1]
The Digital Television Standard describes the system characteristics of the advanced television (ATV) system. The document and its normative annexes provide detailed specification of the parameters of the system including the video encoder input scanning formats and the pre-processing and compression parameters of the video encoder, the audio encoder input signal format and the pre-processing and compression parameters of the audio encoder, the service multiplex and transport layer characteristics and normative specifications, and the VSB RF/Transmission subsystem. The system is modular in concept and the specifications for each of the modules are provided in the appropriate annex.
[2]
This guide provides an overview and tutorial of the system characteristics of the advanced television (ATV) system defined by ATSC Standard A/53, ATSC Digital Television.
[3]
This document specifies coded representation of audio information and the decoding process, as well as information on the encoding process. The coded representation specified is suitable for use in digital audio transmission and storage applications, and may convey from 1 to 5 full bandwidth audio channels, along with a low frequency enhancement channel. A wide range of encoded bit-rates is supported by this specification. Typical applications of digital audio compression are in satellite or terrestrial audio broadcasting, delivery of audio over metallic or optical cables, or storage of audio on magnetic, optical, semiconductor, or other storage media. [Document A/53 contains certain parameter constraints for use in terrestrial broadcasting.]
[4]
This document specifies a compact, easily acquired, and easily updated program guide data base. It provides a standardized format for transmitting data about current and future programs using private data sections in a transport stream as defined in ISO/IEC 13818-1 (MPEG-2). This data can be acquired and processed by suitably equipped receivers to provide the user with an interactive electronic program guide. This document can address varying needs of service providers: those controlling one single terrestrial channel and those controlling closed networks (e.g., cable-telco TV systems, direct broadcast satellites). [This document has been superseded by document A/65 for broadcast applications, and is valid in certain grandfathered cable or MMDS systems.]
[5]
This document defines a Standard for System Information (SI) compatible with digital multiplex bit streams constructed in accordance with ISO/IEC 13818-1 (MPEG-2). It defines the standard protocol that carries relevant System Information tables contained within packets carried in the transport multiplex. All tables and messages defined in this document are carried in the Network Packet Identifier (PID). The tables are applicable to terrestrial, cable, SMATV, MMDS, and satellite broadcast signals. Messages for all domains are given in order to set a context for interoperability among the domains. [This document has been superseded by document A/65 for broadcast applications, and is valid in certain grandfathered cable or MMDS systems.]
[6]
This document provides a means of uniquely defining a program, episode, version, and source within the MPEG-2 syntax. The standard provides for a program identifier data packet that may be inserted into the Transport Stream at random intervals. This document provides a detailed specification of the syntax required. A unique Program Identifier may be useful for program verification. [This standard is mainly of interest to broadcasters rather than receiver manufacturers. The data is intended primarily for verification of commercial airing and program rights.]
[7]
This document specifies a recommended practice for use of the ATSC Digital Television Standard to ensure interoperability internationally at the transport level with the European Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) project as standardized by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
[8]
This document describes the characteristics for the video subsystem of a digital television system operating at 25 Hz and 50 Hz frame rates.
[9]
This document describes methods for testing, monitoring, and measurement of the transmission sub-system intended for use in the digital television (DTV) system, including specifications for maximum out-of-band emissions, parameters affecting the quality of the inband signal, symbol error tolerance, phase noise and jitter, power, power measure, frequency offset and stability. In addition, it describes the condition of the RF symbol stream upon loss of MPEG packets.
[10]
This document defines a Standard for System Information (SI) and Program Guide (PG) data compatible with digital multiplex bit streams constructed in accordance with ISO/IEC 13818-1 (MPEG-2). The document defines the standard protocol for transmission of the relevant data tables contained within packets carried in the Transport Stream multiplex. This Standard protocol for transmission is applicable to terrestrial (over-the-air) and cable signals.