DIRECTV has selected the latest TANDBERG MPEG-4 AVC HD encoding solutions for its local HD channel expansion. The move builds on a pioneering HDTV relationship between DIRECTV and TANDBERG Television and further extends both companies’ HDTV market lead. In early 2005 DIRECTV chose TANDBERG Television’s first-to-market MPEG-4 AVC HD platform, and became the first North American satellite DTH provider to launch HD services.

The solution chosen by DIRECTV includes the newly released EN8095 encoders, part of the EN8090 MPEG-4 AVC SD/HD encoding family. New features within the EN8095 include IP statistical multiplexing, 8VSB input and control of up to three different outputs (MPEG-4 AVC HD/SD and MPEG-2 SD). The encoders provide more bandwidth efficiency, the ability to capture and rebroadcast terrestrial HD channels and allow DIRECTV the ability to leverage existing operational efficiencies as well as support future requirements.

EN8090 encoders enable operators to deliver HD and SD multi-channel and single channel MPEG-4 AVC services across cable, satellite, telco and terrestrial networks. The TANDBERG encoders use a comprehensive tool-set of advanced compression video processing features, combined with new pre-processing techniques. The EN8090 encoding family pushes encoding efficiency to the highest levels of excellence, providing the ultimate in best quality pictures at the lowest bit rates. Advanced audio coding options provide equally impressive low bit rate audio performance.

DIRECTV utilizes several other systems by TANDBERG Television including the WatchPoint Workflow System and Xport Producer content production solution.