The following should generate some interest in Hughes:

Hughes Network Systems Announces DIRECTV PLUS(TM) High Definition Set-Top Receiver

New 'Platinum HD' Model Receives Both DIRECTV High-Definition and Standard
Broadcasts as well as Off-Air Digital Television

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems (HNS) and its
sister company DIRECTV, Inc. today announced that HNS will manufacture a
DIRECTV PLUS(TM) System set-top receiver designed to receive high definition
DIRECTV(R) programming, as well as high definition, digital "over-the-air"
signals from local broadcasters via off-air antennae. The new "Platinum HD"
receiver is planned for shipment in the second quarter of this year and will
be among the first high-definition compatible systems to feature the DIRECTV
Advanced Program Guide. The new receiver is also fully compatible with the
DirecDuo(TM) antenna system.
"The Platinum HD further expands our broad line of products to support the
high definition generation of programming," said Paul Gaske, senior vice
president and general manager of Hughes Network Systems Broadcast Products &
Services Division.
"With this receiver, consumers will be able to receive DIRECTV's standard
definition and HDTV programming as well as local high definition broadcasts --
and view all available channels seamlessly using DIRECTV's Advanced Program
Guide.
"The HNS receiver includes the most widely adopted video output component
for high definition -- YPrPb -- enabling it to work with most brands in the
market," said Gaske. "Best of all, consumers can also use the product with
their standard definition televisions to receive an improved picture -- the
"Platinum HD" set-top box converts off-air high definition broadcasts into a
480i standard definition digital format," he added.
"We're proud to have our sister company add to the increasing selection of
HDTV-compatible DIRECTV System products available to consumers," said Bill
Casamo, executive vice president for DIRECTV. "The Platinum HD product offers
our customers yet another option for their DIRECTV home entertainment."

Features of the "Platinum HD" set-top box include:

* Reception capabilities for DIRECTV high-definition and standard
definition digital-quality programming (all 18 off-air high-definition
broadcasts [ATSC])
* Reception capabilities for off-air standard definition broadcasts
(NTSC) via an internal tuner
* Ability to convert picture from standard to high-definition format, and
vice versa. (Reception capability for 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i
formats.)
* DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide, which provides customers with a single
guide for both DIRECTV high- and standard-definition digital
broadcasts.
* Ability to present standard definition (4 x 3 format) on a 16 x 9 TV
screen, with either gray side bars (full picture in less-than-full
screen), or with the top and bottom of the picture automatically
cropped (less-than-full picture in a full screen).
* All features offered with the fifth-generation Platinum (standard
definition) product, including: Dolby Digital audio, RF remote control,
StarSight(R) One-Button Record, and all HNS-exclusive DIRECTV System
features.

Additionally, the receivers enable consumers to receive the DirecDuo
service, providing high-speed Internet access from DirecPC(R) as well as
DIRECTV programming. An external DirecPC satellite modem and a PC running
Windows 98 are required to receive DirecPC service.
The Platinum HD product will be on display at the Winter Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas, at DIRECTV Booth 5611 and HNS Booth 6225.
A world leader in satellite products and network systems for more than
25 years, HNS is one of the leading suppliers of DIRECTV digital satellite
systems and the provider of the award-winning DirecPC satellite Internet
service. In addition, HNS is the global VSAT market leader and has shipped
more than 300,000 interactive and one-way terminals. Headquartered in
Germantown, MD, the company has sales and support offices worldwide. HNS is a
unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. Hughes Electronics is the world's
leading provider of digital television entertainment, and satellite and
wireless systems and services. The earnings of Hughes Electronics, a unit of
General Motors Corporation, are used to calculate the earnings per share
attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE: GMH). For more
information, please visit the Web site at http://www.hns.com .
DIRECTV is the nation's leading satellite television service, with 7.9
million subscribers including subscribers to PRIMESTAR By DIRECTV. Visit
DIRECTV on the World Wide Web at http://www.directv.com .
DIRECTV and DIRECTV PLUS are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes
Electronics Corporation. DirecDuo, and DirecPC are trademarks of Hughes
Network Systems, a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. All other
trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems
Web Site: http://www.hns.com