Apparently the Met isn't the only one focused on spoiling opera viewers remotely, broadcast company Arqiva is delivering live HD feeds of opera from Italy and Spain via its satellite network. Working with DDCinema, it delivered its last broadcast of Samson and Delilah from the Teatro Comunale in Bologna, Italy to nearly 70 theaters across Europe. If any of Engadget HD's European opera fans missed out, don't worry, they plan at least three more tests this year. As long as they don't try to skimp on the HD and Dolby 5.1 Surround audio, we expect the results will be just fine.

Those looking for an answer to the cable or satellite question may want to turn their eyes to a recent survey by Beta Research Group, suggesting the latter group is more satisfied with their TV provider. The numbers are 72% answering "satisfied" for satellite compared to only 62% for digital cable, while 66% of people with dishes said they would definitely continue as customers, compared to 45% with cable. We're pretty sure many of those interview have HD, with discovery and History channels ranking highest among the favorites - we like them too, but can't imagine liking them as much in SD. Take a look at the read link to get a couple more notes on the methodology and findings before making a decision, but for those of you who've already faced down the choice, are you sated?

DirecTV looks to make the most of DirecTV 11's test period, before things go live in September, testing out an experimental payload at a second test location. While the satcaster collects readings on recently-allocated bandwidth and other satellite traffic to plan future launches (adding even more channels, or maybe 1080p broadcast television), we'll just keep twiddling our thumbs. Specifications, speculation and all other data necessary to satisfy the satellite geek within resides beyond the read link.

[Thanks, sixto]

Currently, Ukrainians looking for satellite TV service can only point their attention in two directions: NTV+ and Viasat. Now, however, another rival is entering the ring, and we've always heard that three was company. Poverhnost is reportedly gearing up to launch Poverhnost Plus, and its claim to fame is its premium sport and HD channels that will likely trump offerings from the other two. According to a recent report, the satcaster will "launch its own premium sport and HD channels among a package of 60 priced at UAH100 (€13.50) a month," and it's also slated to add 15 more channels in short order without increasing the price. For prospective customers, you should also know that the outfit will be relying on the HD Homecast 5001 IR set-top-box (around $250 or so), but additional STB choices could be made available in the near future. Mum's the word on a launch date, but it certainly can't be far off now.

While we patiently wait for EchoStar XV to lift off in 2010, it seems the countdown for EchoStar XI is much, much closer. Space Systems/Loral has just announced delivery of said satellite to Sea Launch's home port in Long Beach, California. The 20-kW bird will be used to "expand capacity for DISH Network," and while a definitive launch date isn't mentioned, we are told that it should blast off sometime this summer. According to Rohan Zaveri, Vice President of Space Programs for DISH Network, there is "a good deal of anticipation as it gears up for the EchoStar XI launch," and considering the fate of the AMC-14, we'd surmise a good deal of nail-biting, too.

[Image courtesy of Sea Launch]

With April and May almost behind us, there's only one place left to turn our attention to: summer. During a recent DISH Network Retailer Chat, a snapshot was captured showing a list of locales in which the satcaster will hopefully flip on HD locals in the next few months. According to Satellite Guys' Scott Greczkowski, DISH will be turning the new list of cities on "as soon as it has them setup and running," and a number of those listed would have already been live if not for "technical delays." Ready to see if your town made the summertime cut? Head on past the break for the full list.

As our tipster Rob so eloquently put it: "Gentlemen, start your satellite." According to fresh documentation from the FCC, the agency has granted DirecTV "temporary authority" to operate its recently launched DirecTV 11 satellite and "conduct in-orbit testing." The satcaster will also be allowed to "conduct telemetry, tracking and control operations" when the window opens on May 25th. September's getting closer all the time, eh? [Warning: PDF read link]

[Thanks, Rob]

We knew it was coming, and after waiting for quite some time for FreeSat to go from concept to reality, television viewers across the UK can finally indulge. If you'll recall, a recent survey found that just 5-percent of Europe's HDTV owners actually bothered to tune into HD programming, but now that number is likely to change. Effective today, 98-percent of the UK can fork out a one-time fee of £49 ($96) to £120 ($234) in order to acquire a FreeSat set-top-box, and after an £80 ($156) installation, users will have subscription-free access to BBC HD, ITV HD (coming soon), Channel 4's digital service and around 70 other TV / radio channels. Better still, that number is slated to rise to 200 before the year's end, and unsurprisingly, the launch is expected to boost available high-def offerings in the region. Anyone across the pond have their equipment set up already? How's the service?

[Thanks, Ivan]

Europe as a whole could use a real shot in the arm when it comes to HD, so we guess we can't point and laugh too much as Viasat increases its HD lineup from three networks -- Viasat Sport HD, TV1000 HD and National Geographic HD -- to four. Public broadcaster SVT HD is all set to join the others in short order, as Viasat attempts to maintain competitive balance with rival Canal Digital, which already offers the channel. There's no word on an actual go-live date (nor any indication of extra charges), but on a slightly separate note, we are told that Danish channel TV2 Sport HD will resume high-def airings when it covers the SAS football league after it returns from winter break.

In case you're not content with just keeping your current cable / satellite / fiber TV service and using the recently launched ZvBox to pull in content from the web, a new startup is aiming to satisfy your bizarre desires. In what's potentially the most befuddling launch of the year, said firm is looking to introduce its 1TB set-top-box to consumers on a city-by-city basis. Put simply (or, as simply as possible), the box will fetch content from a number of places: the built-in OTA receiver will grab locals, and it will use the owner's broadband internet connection to snag IPTV material and web-based content (YouTube, Hulu, etc.). Sezmi plans to launch the product with "3G and DSL" telcos that don't currently have a way to offer a triple-play package, and while some sources say that monthly fees will be as low as "half" of a typical cable / satellite bill, we've also seen Phil Wiser, co-founder, chairman and president, quoted as saying that it will be "roughly comparable" to its rivals. Hit up the links below for loads more info, and join us as we sit back and wait for this entirely-too-complex endeavor to implode.

[Via PC Magazine]

As if it wasn't apparent enough from our breakdown of HD carriers earlier this year, the two satcasters here in the US have a dominant lead in HD offerings. Still, the abundance of high-def material comes at a cost, and it's a price many are hesitant to pay for fear of stepping too far out of their comfort zone. According to Sam:

"Now that DirecTV is almost at 100 national HD channels, I'm this close to cutting my cable off and making the switch. However, I'm terrified of hidden installation costs (fishing cables, etc.), punching all sorts of new holes in my home, locking myself into a contract and having to pay a non-discounted rate to keep my cable internet around without bundled HD service. There seems to be so many drawbacks to getting a dish -- is it really worth it?"

We have no doubts that many of you have indeed pulled the trigger in a similar situation, and we're equally sure that a large chunk of you have decided to play it safe and stick with fewer HD channels (and fewer battle scars on your siding). We can definitely see this one getting heated, but make sure you speak your mind on the matter in comments below.

[Image courtesy of Flickr]

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

It wasn't too long ago that we sat in awe as EchoStar X lifted off into outer space, and in around two years, we can all relive that moment as EchoStar XV does the same. Announced today, Space Systems/Loral was chosen to "provide a new direct broadcast satellite (DBS) for DISH Network," and the bird will be based on the outfit's "space-proven" 1300 platform. As it stands, this becomes the eighth SS/L satellite built for EchoStar, and while we're not told exactly what it's heading up to handle, we are informed that it will "support the expansion of DISH Network's programming and services." Hopefully it'll have a few less issues than the AMC-14 when it lifts off in 2010, eh?

If it sounds like you've heard this same 'ole song and dance before, it's because you have. Just days after the AMC-14 was officially dubbed "a total loss," and merely hours since the satcaster underwhelmed subscribers everywhere by adding CNN HD to its national HD lineup (instead of, say, SciFi HD / USA HD), the company is trying to keep spirits high. According to a regulatory filing, DISH Network reaffirmed that it would not "incur any financial liability from [the] failed satellite launch, and its plans to offer more high-definition video programs were on track." Moreover, it stated that its intentions to boost its HD lineup this spring were a go, but no further details beyond that were given. Eh, a little less conversation and a little more action would be ideal.

Despite hopes to the contrary, it looks like SES AMERICOM is treating the AMC-14 satellite mishap like the time you rear-ended that bus full of nuns in your Suzuki X90. Stranded at a less than advantageous orbit after an anomaly in its second burn of the fourth stage on March 15, the company decided that trying to reposition it at this point was too risky, and would result in a severely shortened lifespan. As a result, SES is cashing in on a $150 million insurance policy, and coming out of this smelling like a rose. DISH Network has more satellites planned for later this year and claims the failure won't affect its plans, so HDTV owners shouldn't lose out badly either. The only real loser here is AMC-14 itself, destined to decades of floating around as space junk, or a quick and fiery end in Earth's atmosphere -- plans for its retirement are still being "explored".

Just as soon as the HD clock began ticking, now we've got something to pencil in on our 2008 calendar. According to a new release from DirecTV, the recently launched DirecTV 11 satellite isn't expected to become "operational" (read: start dishing out new HD channels to more subscribers in more locales) until sometime in September. If you'll recall, the same estimate was given last year on the DirecTV 10, though it lifted off several months later (in July) than the D11. Reportedly, D11 is set to "provide capacity for up to 50 additional national HD channels," and if that doesn't get your motor running, you can also look forward to seeing another bird take flight in 2009 in order to offer up space for 200 national high-def channels. Not quite 900 or anything, but we reckon there's still a few years to go.

[Via gadgetell, thanks Keith]