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DirecTV is getting ready for the lighting of their D-11 satellite that we've all been patiently waiting for, which should be in August, or mid-September at the absolute latest.

Once this lights up, they've got room for another 50 HD nationals, and beams to cover several new HD Local markets, upwards of 1,500 total HD Local channels between their fleet.

Anyway, we've received a "blurp" from a trusted source at DirecTV that will make many of us happy. Note - there is no timeline information, just what they are working on:

HD Extra Stations still in MPEG2 (UHD & HDNet Movies) will move to MPEG4 targeting July 31. This may require equipment upgrades for a very small group of customers (sub to HD Extra and have only MPEG2 equip).

There is planning based on other MPEG2 services (ESPN 1/2, TNT, HDNet, HD Theater, etc) moving to MPEG4 as well (which results in a huge quality improvement versus what we see now). They did not say if the switch is going to be following equipment replacement waves (like the MLB, NFL, West DNS, and soon HD Extra packages have been) or if they may mirror the services for a while.

(My Commentary):
As DirecTV speeds up transitioning customers away from MPEG2 equipment we get closer to an entirely MPEG4 HD environment. The consesus is that their goal is to get all HD on the 99/103 location, and use the 110/119 for more locals (SD & HD) and interntionals, eliminating the need for the side dishes or special international dish.

The past couple months have indicated D* is really pushing to get away from MPEG2 HD. In past discussions on investor calls, they indicated wanting to push this back as far as possible, even 2009 or later. It now appears that they have jump started that strategy, and we could see all MPEG4 HD much sooner.

There is also a slimline 3 dish in development for a dish that does not receive the 110/119 location. With the launch of D12 next year, a new dish may be necessary, as existing setups are not expected to be able to receive anything off D12.

As for the HD Extra Pack transition - is just one more sign that D* is working to speed up the transition to all MPEG4 HD. Other areas they could work before a mass final sweep - NHL subs, NBA subs, East Coast DNS. After that, all that is left is the base HD customers that still just receive 8 HD channels and haven't called for an upgrade.

A Side Note - The HD Extra Pack is FREE for 3 months for some subscribers (those who didn't use the 3 month free the first time around). There will be lots of HD Olympics coverage on UHD if you want to signup.

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UPDATE 7/13:

As we get closer to the launch of D11, we're hearing more and more info.

Here is the latest rumors from the past couple days:

The simulcating of MPEG2 stations to MPEG4 is going to happen, and it will also include ESPN 1/2, TNT, HD Theater, and the HD Extra packs. This is a big improvement in picture quality for the old stations. They will be mirrored until the MPEG2 swaps are done. This is still expected to happen by July 31.

On a magical date in August, a group of new national HD channels will lauch, along with the conversion of many "game-only" RSNs to 24 hour RSNs, as well as a bunch of new HD locals markets.

As for the Locals additions, the words used were "a ton of local markets". This may not include all 4 of the big 4 for some markets, due to contracts they are still working on.

So, from what I'm hearing, it will all happen on ONE DAY, and it WILL BE BIG!

Again, please consider this information as rumors until you see them on your TV, but I am comfortablewith the reliability of the source of the information