Abstract: This paper summarizes some recent effects and research activities in the field of the introduction of Advanced Digital High Definition Television AD-HDTV over Asynchronous Transfer Mode ATM-based networks. Some types of layered video coding schemes are identified. Taking into account that cell losses seem to be the major drawback for Variable Bit Rate VBR coding in ATM network, cell losses protection is analyzed and some solutions concerning this problem are presented. From the point of view of digital HDTV, hierarchical coding as well as Moving Pictures Experts Group MPEG compression are recommended.
Key words: HDTV, ATM-based networks, MPEG, BISDN, packet transmission.