MUMBAI: American digital television platofrm DirecTV has selected LG Electronics as the first supplier of digital high-definition television (HDTV) set-top boxes based on new video compression technology.

LG Electronics has begun production of set-top boxes for use in DirecTV's MPEG-4 (moving picture experts group) HD satellite broadcasts, further expanding LG's leadership in the North American digital television market.

DirecTV will begin offering local broadcast channels in HD later this year.. By 2007, DIRECTV plans to offer more than 1,500 local broadcast channels and more than 150 national channels in HD.

DirecTV executive VP and CTO Romulo Pontual said, "Consumer demand for HD is exploding, and DirecTV is ushering in a new era in satellite delivery of HD content using a powerful new broadcasting technology, MPEG-4. This will enable us to greatly enhance our customers' viewing experience by offering the widest array of HD programming available. The technical and manufacturing capabilities of LG Electronics, coupled with their strong commitment to this specific programme, make LG a terrific partner for DirecTV."