SOURCE SELECT ▲ AND ▼ (UP AND DOWN)

With these buttons you can browse up or down through the inputs to select the source (audio or audio-video) that is fed to the main outputs. The signal you have selected will also be fed to the TAPE REC output sockets for recording. The display shows the input you have selected. The SOURCE ▲ and ▼ buttons browse through all the sources except TAPE. You can select the 7.1 CHANNEL and TAPE inputs by the TAPE MONITOR and 7.1 CHANNEL input buttons. When you select an input, the ATP 8500 will automatically switch to the operating MODE last used with that input, or to the correct digital decoding if an active digital source is assigned to the input.

DISPLAY

To operate the display, use the “Preview” button on the front panel, or press “Guide” on the remote control. This function toggles on/off. The front panel video display has a number of modes:

(1)When switching to a new input source, the display will show all major information about the selected input.

For example, if you select DVD, the assigned video input will be listed in addition to the audio input, and surround sound mode.

(2)When setting up the ATP 8500, use the display and the buttons on each side of the display to assign inputs and adjust the system parameters.

(3)When adjusting the volume, the display will show the volume level for a short time, then automatically disappear.

(4)The video display can be set to “off,” or only show the input video signal, or the display can be set to superimpose the parameters over the video source.

(5)The style and color of the information on the display can be changed in the set-up menu. We suggest using modes 1, 2, or 3 for general purposes.

(6)The brightness of the display can be changed using the remote control. Each time you press the display button marked “Bright,” the brightness level changes.

EXIT

This key exits the setup mode without saving the new settings. Use it if you have adjusted the setup menu by accident.

ENTER

This is the enter key in setup mode. You can us it to access sub-menus or to activate special menu items.

MENU

When you press this key, the ATP 8500 goes to setup mode. Use the up/down/left/right keys to navigate the menus. The ATP 8500 escapes from setup mode when you either select EXIT from the OSD or press the MENU key again.

VOLUME CONTROL

With the volume control (the large, round knob in the upper right quadrant of the front panel), you can adjust the sound level of the signals that are fed to the LINE inputs. Note: The volume control does not affect the signals that are fed to the TAPE REC sockets, so you can adjust the listening volume level at the same time as recording takes place. The volume setting indication is situated in the bottom right of the LCD display, for example “vol: -15”. The display shows the preamplifier gain in dB (decibels). If you set the volume below –20, the ATP 8500 will remember this level when you switch it into STANDBY mode and will re-instate this same level when you switch the ATP 8500 on again. Note: If you switch the ATP 8500 into STANDBY mode with a volume setting higher than –20 dB, for example –10 dB, the ATP 8500 will automatically reset it to –20 dB when you switch it on again. This is to protect your ears and the loudspeakers from sudden excessive sound levels.

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ATI Technologies ATP 8500 manual Source Select and UP and Down, Display, Exit, Enter, Menu, Volume Control
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ATP 8500 specifications

The ATI Technologies ATP 8500 is a significant graphics card that made its mark in the early 2000s, particularly among gamers and graphic designers looking for advanced performance at an affordable price point. Released as part of ATI's Radeon series, the ATP 8500 was lauded for its innovative technologies that set it apart from its competitors.

One of the primary features of the ATP 8500 is its support for DirectX 8, allowing it to render stunning graphics with realistic textures and effects. This capability was especially important during the early days of 3D gaming, where the demand for improved visuals was rising. The card utilized a 0.15-micron manufacturing process, which enabled better power efficiency and performance compared to its predecessors.

The ATP 8500 comes with 64MB or 128MB of DDR memory, offering respectable memory bandwidth speeds that were well-suited for most games at the time. This memory design facilitated quicker data access and improved overall rendering speeds, which enhanced the gaming experience without causing significant frame rate drops.

Another notable feature of the ATP 8500 is its implementation of the HyperZ technology. This was a revolutionary technology that improved memory bandwidth efficiency through techniques like occlusion culling and fast Z-buffering. As a result, the graphics card was capable of efficiently rendering complex scenes without overloading its memory resources, which was crucial for maintaining performance in graphically intense situations.

The card also introduced Adaptive Anti-Aliasing, which helped to smooth out jagged edges in graphics, creating a more visually appealing experience. This feature made it easier for gamers to immerse themselves in their virtual worlds, as the overall graphical fidelity was significantly enhanced.

In addition to its gaming capabilities, the ATI Technologies ATP 8500 also catered to multimedia applications. It supported video playback and included features for high-quality rendering of movies and animation, further broadening its appeal beyond just the gaming community.

In conclusion, the ATI Technologies ATP 8500 was a remarkable graphics card that combined cutting-edge technology with impressive performance characteristics. Its support for advanced graphics rendering, efficient memory handling, and multimedia capabilities made it a popular choice for users looking for a balance of performance and value during its time. The legacy of the ATP 8500 paved the way for future innovations in graphics technology, and it remains a memorable part of ATI's history in the competitive graphics card market.
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