Intel Corp. and DirecTV Group Inc. said Tuesday that they will collaborate to build a digital set-top box that can connect televisions to personal computers.

The move is seen as a response to Apple Computer Inc.’s announcement that it will release what many in the industry called “the missing link” with the iTV. The device will go on sale next spring for $299 and promises to allow downloaded movies to be streamed wirelessly from the PC or Mac to a big-screen TV in another room.

Shares in El Segundo-based DirecTV were up 25 cents to $19.56.