Spaceway F2 is one of four satellites that DIRECTV is launching over a two-year span as part of a historic expansion of programming capacity that will enable DIRECTV to deliver more than 1,500 local and more than 150 national HD channels and other advanced programming services to consumers nationwide by 2007. Spaceway F1 launched in late April.

The Boeing-built satellite will be carried into space by an Ariane 5 launch vehicle and is expected to be ready for commercial service in early fall at 99.2 degrees West Longitude (WL), one of two Ka-band orbital slots that DIRECTV will use to transmit local digital and HD signals via spot beam to its customers.

"The upcoming launch of Spaceway F2 is the next major milestone in our digital/HD expansion plan and great news for those customers in many of the major markets around the country who are looking forward to receiving their local channels in digital or high-definition," said Jim Butterworth, senior vice president,Communications Systems, DIRECTV, Inc. "The satellite, and its twin, Spaceway F1, will provide the needed capacity to roll out local digital and HD in at least 24 markets this year, representing more than 45 percent of U.S. TV households."

A Boeing 702 model satellite, Spaceway F2 is identical to the Spaceway F1 satellite, which launched April 26 from the Sea Launch platform and will conduct commercial operations from the 102.8-degree WL orbital slot.

Spaceway F2 will be the fourth DIRECTV satellite carried into space by an Ariane launch vehicle. Ariane launched DIRECTV's first satellite in December 1993, followed by Direc TV 3 in June 1995, and DIRECTV 4S in November, 2001.

DIRECTV, Inc. is the nation's leading and fastest-growing digital multichannel television service provider with more than 14.4 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV (NYSE: DTV) is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment services. irect TV is approximately 34 percent owned by News Corporation.

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What is the TiVo Digital Satellite Recorder?
It's the latest advancement in Direct TV technology -- a satellite receiver that combines access to Direct TV programming with Direct TV Digital Video Recording (DVR) service with Tivo.

What is the Direct TV Digital Video Recording (DVR) service with Tivo?
Directv, the leader in digital satellite entertainment, has strengthened its partnership with Tivo, the leader in digital video recording, to give you better entertainment under a new name - Direct TV Digital Video
Recording service powered by Tivo. Now, Direct TV will be bringing Direct TV DVR service directly to you.

What features does the Directv Digital Satellite Recorder and Direct TV DVR service offer?
Direct TV DVR offers digital recording without videotape, allowing you to automatically record every episode of your favorite shows every time they're on! You can record two shows at once and even pause live TV, rewind, watch in slow motion, and create instant replays. Click DIRECTV Tivo for more information.

What equipment do I need?
The Direct TV Recorder System includes a Direc TV Digital Satellite Recorder, a mini satellite dish antenna with a dual-output LNB and a universal remote control.You'll find the recorder under the Hughes Network Systems manufacturer name.

Where can I buy theDirect TV Recorder System?
Currently, the Direct TV Digital Satellite Recorder is available right here in the Tivo & Direc TV DVR Section of our site.

Can the Direct TV Digital Satellite Recorder record two shows at once?
Yes, the Direct TV Digital Satellite Recorder can record two shows at once. In fact, it can even record two shows while you watch a third, previously recorded show.

How long are programs stored once they've been recorded?
The Direct TV DVR service will only delete programs when the recorder has reached its full recording capacity and needs to make room for other shows you've requested it to record. When this occurs, Direc TV DVR will first delete Tivo Suggestions followed by the oldest recorded programs not marked "Keep Until I Delete". You can easily control how long programs are stored using recording "Options". It's also easy to transfer any recorded program to tape using your VCR.

How much does the Direct TV Digital Satellite Recorder cost?
The Direct TV Digital Satellite Recorder is available in many configurations, for single or multi-room. You'll find the Direct TV Recorder under the Hughes Network Systems manufacturer name.
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