Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

DirecTV, LG Team for HDTV Cable Boxes

By

Satellite television provider DirecTV and LG Electronics today announced a deal under which the latter will supply the former’s customers with digital HDTV set-top boxes based on new video compression technology.

These new HDTV set-top boxes, the two companies said in statement, are set for use in DirecTV’s MPEG-4 HD satellite broadcasts. These broadcasts are set to begin this fall when DirecTV begins offering local broadcast channels in HD in major markets throughout the United States. By 2007, DIRECTV plans to offer more than 1,500 local broadcast channels and more than 150 national channels in HD.

Recommended Videos

The new HDTV satellite MPEG-4 broadcast services, said DirecTV, for the first time in the world “employ advanced digital compression technology to deliver more channels in the same frequency bandwidth as existing ones.”

Related

The boxes, to be sold under the DirecTV brand name, feature digital outputs (HDMI/HDCP) with simultaneous component/composite output, as well as a general-purpose LINUX-operating-system and USB port. They are built around Broadcom’s MPEG chipset and LG’s fifth-generation “VSB” chipset. They will “allow viewers to watch not only MPEG-4 HD satellite broadcasts, but also existing MPEG-2 standard- definition programming and terrestrial ATSC (Advanced Television System Committee) digital HDTV and SDTV broadcasts.”

“Consumer demand for HD is exploding, and DIRECTV is ushering in a new era in satellite delivery of HD content using a powerful new broadcasting technology, MPEG-4,” said Romulo Pontual, executive vice president and chief technology officer, DIRECTV, Inc. “This will enable us to greatly enhance our customers’ viewing experience by offering the widest array of HD programming available. The technical and manufacturing capabilities of LG Electronics, coupled with their strong commitment to this specific program, make LG a terrific partner for DIRECTV.”

“Our agreement with DIRECTV builds on LG’s role as a long-time HDTV technology leader and as a key supplier of DIRECTV MPEG-2 HD set-top boxes for five years,” said B.B. Hwang, president and CEO, Digital Media Company. “LG Electronics DIRECTV deserves as lot of credit for bringing the MPEG-4 digital video compression platform to high-definition transmission, and LG is proud to play a major role in the deployment of this important technology.”

Editors’ Recommendations

Digital Trends Staff
Digital Trends Staff
Digital Trends has a simple mission: to help readers easily understand how tech affects the way they live. We are your…
HDMI ARC and eARC: the one-cable solution for TV audio, fully explained
Rear of Apple TV 4K.

If you're unboxing a brand new 4K TV, AV receiver, or soundbar, you've likely noticed a little symbol on at least one of the HDMI inputs that says "ARC," "HDMI ARC," or "ARC/eARC." Some of your current components may have these labels, too. If you're not sure what they mean, you aren't alone -- but it could be good news for simpler or higher-quality audio connections. ARC stands for "audio return channel," an HDMI protocol introduced in 2009.

While ARC capabilities are common on at least one HDMI port on devices like TVs and soundbars, not everyone is using this advanced standard to improve their entertainment setup. So we're taking a closer look at what ARC is, how it works, and what the upgraded version, known as "eARC," offers. Let's start with some important HDMI basics.
The HDMI superhighway

Read more
Save $375 or more with this incredible LG OLED TV and sound bar deal
LG S95QR soundbar seen in front of a TV.

This content was produced in partnership with LG Electronics.
You need two things to set up an awesome home theater, or rather, there are two facets to the experience: video and audio. With the right TV, you'll be watching gorgeous visuals at fluid framerates, even with lots of action on screen. But to truly make it immersive, and take it to the next level, you'll need to pair that TV with a suitable audio or surround system. Well, thanks to LG's current deal, you can hit two birds with one stone, and save an incredible $375 in the process. That's because LG is currently offering a discount, on top of existing deals, when you bundle a qualifying TV, like an LG OLED, with the .

We'll explore some of the eligible TVs below, but for now, just know that this offer allows you to save a ton on a bundle that includes both an OLED TV, and an exceptional surround system complete with a sound bar, rear speakers, and a subwoofer. If you're planning to spend more time indoors this summer because of the heat, this bundle can really make your entertainment worthwhile.

Read more
The best TV brands of 2023: from LG to TCL, which should you buy?
Samsung S95C OLED.

Buying a TV is one of life's big purchases. Kind of like buying a car, you want to make sure the one you get is perfect for your needs and budget and has a reputable brand name behind it -- you don't want to buy yourself a lemon. You've probably already figured out some of the basics like size, resolution, and maybe whether you like smart TV operating systems like Roku TV or Google TV.

But what are the best TV brands out there? Are the big players like Samsung, Sony, and LG worth the premium prices, or are value brands like TCL and Hisense just as good? And what about trying your luck with Roku's new TVs, as the popular platform starts making its own hardware? And lastly, what features and technologies do all these brands foster? We're here to help answer these questions.

Read more