DirecTV has approved the LG Electronics transcoder for delivering HDTV satellite programming to DTV sets in hotel rooms. LodgeNet Entertainment is the first to deploy the transcoder. LG's transcoder is a content-secure device that receives the DirecTV HDTV signals via satellite, reformats the signal to meet the ATSC DTV standard, and distributes it through a hotel's existing TV cable.

"This is a critical event that has unlocked access to the large and ever growing amount of HD content," said Richard Lewis, senior vice president at LG Electronics USA.

"The digital delivery of premium DirecTV HDTV content to the room will create a new standard in the industry for the guest entertainment experience. The LG transcoder is a key element of our strategy to serve the lodging industry with compelling HDTV content," said James Arnold, senior vice president, sales and distribution at DirecTV.

Scott Petersen, LodgeNet president and CEO said the wait is over for the high-definition content hotel guests want most. "With the DirecTV-approved LG transcoder, we can now deliver all of the latest high-definition satellite and VOD programming to the hotel guest," he said.

For more information, see the LG Electronics press release.