DirecTV is offering customers 33 movies via its on-demand service in 1080p high-definition format, the so-called "full HD" standard, which the satellite TV operator claimed is more than any other service.
Dish Network -- which has boasted of being "first" to offer 1080p content -- currently lists about 20 movies in the HD format through its own on-demand service.
DirecTV's on-demand movies are transferred over satellite or an Internet connection to a customer's DirecTV Plus HD DVR receiver. The 1080p (progressive scan) standard is considered as providing superior picture quality to the more common 1080i (interlaced) format.
Many of the 1080p movies are actually pushed to the HD DVR's hard drive via satellite link -- regardless of whether a customer has ordered them -- and are available for immediate viewing once a subscriber makes a purchase, according to DirecTV director of public relations Robert Mercer.
The movies available in 1080p this month include: Transporter 3,Twilight,Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,Changeling,Body of Lies,Milk, Vicky Christina Barcelona, Dark Knight, Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Wanted.
The company said all other new HD pay-per-view movies will soon be in the 1080p format, including Slumdog Millionaire, The Wrestler, Marley & Me and Quantum of Solace.
"By offering the largest selection of 1080p titles, we further strengthen DirecTV's position as the premier destination for the most compelling and complete lineup of HD content," DirecTV Entertainment executive vice president Eric Shanks said in a statement.
