DIRECTV Debuts Interactive Digital Video Recorder at CES Tradeshow

DIRECTV Debuts Interactive Digital Video Recorder at CES Tradeshow

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors

    LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2005--DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading and fastest-growing digital television service provider, debuted a dual tuner DIRECTV(R) digital video recorder (DVR) with rich interactive functionality, today at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
    The new DIRECTV DVR allows consumers to maximize their DIRECTV viewing experience. Users of the new DVR can record and store up to 100 hours of DIRECTV(R) programming and directly access interactive services(a). The Interactive DVR offers a wide variety of popular DVR features, such as one-touch recording, dual tuner functionality, instant replay and the most powerful search function available on the market. In addition, the new DVR's large cache will enable consumers to pause and rewind live TV for up to 90 minutes. The new DIRECTV interactive DVR will be commercially available in mid-2005.
    "DVRs have changed the way people watch television and our new Interactive DVR introduces additional features and ease-of-use to ensure the best viewing experience," said Eric Shanks, senior vice president, Advanced Services and Content, DIRECTV, Inc. "This product opens the door for an entirely new wave of programming on the DIRECTV platform."

    Interactive DIRECTV DVR Features:

--	One-Touch Recording -- Customers can record favorite shows by pressing one button on their remote control.
--	Record Now/Pay Later -- Provides users the flexibility to record all pay-per-view (PPV) movies they might be interested in and only pay for shows the user actually views.
--	Recording of Series -- Provides consumers with the power to seamlessly schedule a recording of an entire season of their favorite show. This feature automatically tracks changes to the programming schedule to ensure proper recording.
--	DVR Controls -- Users have full control of their viewing experience with pause, instant replay, rewind, fast-forward, slow motion, and frame-by-frame viewing capability.
--	Playlist -- Displays all recorded content in an organized list, including convenient groupings of series recordings and DIRECTV extras.
--	Viewmarks -- Customers can easily mark favorite places in their recordings and jump directly to them.
--	Advanced Search Capability -- Users can quickly search for shows, genres, actors, directors, channels or key words both in upcoming shows and shows they have previously recorded. Users can also return to previous searches to find matching programs.
--	AutoRecord -- Users can set the new DIRECTV DVR to record all programs matching a keyword or other search criteria.
--	Onscreen caller ID -- Logs phone calls and offers the on-display convenience of users browsing current or previous calls without interrupting the television viewing experience(b).
--	Enhanced viewing experience -- Supports Interactive programming, such as DIRECTV Mix channels, NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) interactive and DIRECTV Active.
--	Picture-in-guide -- Users can browse through the various features of DIRECTV's new user interface while connected to their program, which is always present in a video window.

    Other significant features that will enhance the viewer experience include Dolby Digital 5.1 optical outputs and USB ports to support future services.

    (a) Actual recording capacity depends on type of programming being recorded.

    (b) Customer must subscribe to a caller ID service through their phone company.

    DIRECTV is the nation's leading and fastest growing digital multichannel television service provider with more than 13.5 million customers and more than 225 digital channels. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of The DIRECTV Group Inc. (NYSE:DTV). The DIRECTV Group is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment and broadband satellite networks and services. The DIRECTV Group is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation. For more information visit www.directv.com.

--30--MTB/la*

CONTACT: DIRECTV, Inc. Robert Mercer, 310-726-4683

KEYWORD: NEVADA CALIFORNIA TRACK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS TELEVISION/RADIO CABLE TRADESHOW PRODUCT SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc.

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