The company responsible for building DirecTV-14, Space Systems/Loral (SSL), reports that the satellite is functioning well and successfully executing post-launch maneuvers to establish its final orbiting position of 99 degrees West longitude.
DirecTV-14 is a 20-kilowatt Ka- and reverse-band digital broadcast satellite (DBS) that will ultimately bring 4K UHD content to DirecTV’s US customers. The satellite reportedly uses an advanced beam forming network to provide service to the lower 48 states, Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. SSL states that, with this launch, 78 of its satellites are now in orbit around the planet, 12 of which are 7-ton, 20-kilowatt models like DirecTV-14. Once officially in operation, DirecTV-14 will be the company’s 7th functioning satellite.
Earlier this year, DirecTV managed to beat cable companies to the 4K UHD punch with a streaming VOD service exclusive to Samsung
This development should come as good news to 4K UHD TV owners, as ultra high definition content has been scarce since the new resolution standard began appearing in next-gen televisions just over two years ago. DirecTV is the first cable or satellite operator to offer
Netflix was first to offer streaming 4K content to a broad US audience equipped with
Considering the fierce rivalry that exists between DirecTV and its rival, Dish Network, it would come as a little surprise to learn the latter satellite service has its own 4K UHD broadcast strategy in the works, potentially making the announcement at the forthcoming CES 2015 trade show in January.
See the satellite launch in the video below.
