HDTV DIRECT TV - FAQ

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What is HDTV DIRECT TV?

High definition television (HDTV) is a new kind of television system that involves improvements in both the production and reception of television broadcast system. The most distinguishing features of HDTV are the aspect ratio and increased lines of resolution. HDTV's aspect ratio is 16:9 (Width:Height) as opposed to 4:3 of the current NTSC system.

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This will make the home theater atmosphere exactly as it was meant to be. Films will retain their original size and resolution, and the sound can be delivered in "digital-quality" 5 channel digital audio. How is DIRECT TV's HDTV offering different from other companies' HDTV service? Ours is the first satellite TV service whose receiving system is built into HDTV sets, so viewers who purchase this HDTV equipment will have easy access.

What equipment do I need to receive high definition programming on HDTV DIRECT TV?

You can receive our high definition programming by using an HDTV set with a built-in DIRECT TV System OR by using an HDTV-enabled multi-sat DIRECT TV Receiver with any high-definition television set. You can also use the HDTV-enabled set-top box with your analog TV set to receive standard definition programming. An oval DIRECT TV Multi-Satellite dish is also needed to capture HDTV and other programming we broadcast at 119 degrees West Longitude (WL) and the programming we broadcast from 101 degrees WL.

Can I keep using the DIRECT TV equipment I have now?

As high definition increasingly becomes the TV standard, customers will need to invest in new TV monitors to receive it. We feel the best approach will be to look for a HDTV set with an integrated DIRECT TV Receiver. Or, if you choose a HDTV set without DIRECT TV built in, to upgrade to a HDTV compatible set-top box when you purchase a new monitor. However, your current DIRECT TV equipment will provide you with quality digital programming for as long as you own the system, when used with either an analog or HDTV set.

Who makes DIRECT TV HDTV equipment?

We've formed partnerships with several consumer electronics manufacturers. HDTV sets with the DIRECT TV Receiver built in, as well as our HDTV-compatible set-top boxes, are available from Thomson Consumer Electronics (under the RCA and PROSCAN brands), Hitachi, Toshiba, Zenith, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Samsung and Hughes Network Systems. We're talking to leading consumer electronics manufacturers about integrating the multi-sat DIRECT TV System into forthcoming HDTV products.

Why is DIRECT TV using a different satellite to broadcast its high-definition programming?

Few of our customers have high-definition TV sets today. By delivering our high-definition programming from the 119 degrees WL orbital slot, we reserve capacity at our main orbital location for programming most customers can receive today and we allow room for expansion there. DIRECT TV customers who continue to use their analog TVs will still have the widest variety of programming available to them.

What high definition programming is DIRECT TV broadcasting?

We introduced HBO® HDTV in August 1999. The channel airs continuously and delivers blockbuster movies and original programming from Home Box Office on DIRECT TV® Channel 509. In November 1999 we introduced a second HDTV channel -- 199 -- featuring pay per view movies and events in high definition format. You can also experience HDTV programming from DIRECT TV by visiting select retail showrooms across the country that are displaying a demonstration of the service.

In what format is HDTV from DIRECT TV broadcast?

DIRECT TV will accept a wide variety of industry-standard formats and will broadcast in any or all of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and other industry-standard broadcasting formats, essentially remaining format-agnostic.

DIRECT TV Offers More Program Options

DIRECT TV has created a programming service specifically driven to offer customers more choice and value for their entertainment dollar. DIRECT TV combines America's favorite network channels, other popular networks not available from many cable services, a pay per view movie service with up to 55 choices of movies and special events a day, local channels in many markets, and an unprecedented sports subscription lineup. No other system offers as many quality program options.