February 23, 2006

Briefs: 24 new markets to get DIRECTV high def

DIRECTV has announced the next two dozen television markets in the United States that will receive local high-definition programming.

Beginning in April, DIRECTV will offer HD programming from the four major networks in 24 markets, including Miami, Baltimore, San Diego, Phoenix and Minneapolis.

HD programming is currently available in a dozen major U.S. cities. Customers are required to buy an H20 HD receiver along with a dish capable of receiving programming from five orbital locations as well as Ka-band signals.

All DIRECTV local HD programming is transmitted on MPEG-4 AVC, the new standard in digital video compression and advanced modulation that more than doubles the efficiency of DIRECTV's capacity.

Briefs: 24 new markets to get DIRECTV high def

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