DirecTV Announces DVR and MPEG-4 HD Satellite Transmission

LAS VEGAS – Amid the flurry of product and service launches at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, DirecTV – which is distribution partners with adult entertainment provider New Frontier Media – announced the launch of an interactive digital video recorder slated for a June 2005 release.

In an another announcement, DirecTV also unveiled the first live MPEG-4 high-definition transmission via satellite that the company says will support dozens of local and national HD channels by 2007.

DirecTV currently uses MPEG-2 for standard definition broadcasts and over time plans to convert all existing HD customers to MPEG-4.

Several months ago, DirecTV announced a strategy to carry 1,500 local and 150 national HD channels over the next two years via four new satellites, which are currently under construction.

DirecTV's new dual-tuner digital video recorder will complement the launch of its HD channels and will be in direct competition with TiVo, with the capability of recording hundreds of hours of programming with similar pause and rewind features that made TiVo a national consumer favorite.

The DVR will also house a search feature to locate types of programming, previously or unrecorded, by genre or other keywords.

The device launch is the result of a partnership between DirecTV and Ucentric Systems and includes security technology from NDS Group, also owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. DirecTV was taken over by News Corp. in 2003.

DirecTV's DVR also comes with a video window that allows users to browse the user interface while continuing to view content.

Until the release of its new DVR, DirecTV has had a longtime partnership with TiVo, which the company says it will now drop from its standard DVR when the new DVR is released.

TiVo subscribers are currently estimated at 6.5 million, nearly a third of all households that have DVRs.

Cable operators Cox Communications and Comcast are also said to be on the verge of unveiling their own DVRs.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Hookup Hotshot Adds TobyDick.com

Hookup Hotshot (HUHS) has added U.K. paysite TobyDick.com to its network.

Leana Lovings, Shay Sights Front 'Substance' Parody From Brazzers

Leana Lovings stars with Shay Sights in the latest release from Brazzers, a parody of "The Substance.”

Little Puck Stars in Latest Episode of 'The Bottom Floor' From Adult Time

Little Puck stars in the second episode of Adult Time series “The Bottom Floor,” titled “The Second Coming.”

Haley Spades Stars in Latest From Immoral

Haley Spades stars with Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and Dean Van Damme in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions, directed by "Porno Dan" Leal.

Octavia Red Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octavia Red has made her Vampired debut alongside Talia Mint and 2023 XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Tiffany Tatum in the new feature “Hunters.”

Lily Starfire Fronts Latest From Brazzers

Lily Starfire stars with Kyle Mason in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Eating Ass Is the Game."

Country Hotwife Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Content creator Country Hotwife has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY, alongside her husband StagHubby and former XMAs Male Performer of the Year Isiah Maxwell.

Vixen Media Group Celebrates 10 Years of 'Tushy'

Vixen Media Group (VMG) is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of studio imprint Tushy.

Cherry Kiss Stars in Latest 'Blind Dates' From Bellesa

Cherry Kiss headlines the 16th volume of "Blind Dates," from Bellesa.

Emma Rosie Toplines Pat Myne's 'Gape For Days 5'

Emma Rosie headlines director Pat Myne's "Gape For Days 5," from Evil Angel.

Show More