MUMBAI: US pay TV service provider DirecTV has announced that it has begun offering local
high-definition (HD) channels via satellite to New York.
This is being done through new compression technology known as Motion Picture Expert Group -- Advanced Video Compression (MPEG 4 AVC). New York is one of dozens of American cities that will receive HD local programming from DirecTV using MPEG-4 AVC, the new standard in digital video compression, and advanced modulation that more than doubles the efficiency of DirecTV's capacity.
DirecTV will carry each of the four primary broadcast networks that offer an HD feed in the market. Customers who subscribe to a programming package that includes local channels will receive both the standard and HD signals at no extra monthly charge.
Customers can receive New York local HD channels by purchasing a new H20 HD receiver and a satellite dish that has the ability to receive programming from five different orbital locations.