Harmonic Introduces Multi-channel MPEG-4 AVC Digital Splicing Solution

September 7, 2006 – Harmonic has announced the ProStream 2000 digital splicer, a scalable platform for real-time splicing of Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) video streams.

Harmonic claims that this solution offers multi-channel splicing capabilities within one rack-unit (RU), achieving high levels of performance and density by leveraging the advanced stream processing techniques already developed. Harmonic believes the ProStream 2000 is a key element of their suite of IP-based video processing and delivery solutions that increase operating efficiencies and reduce costs for satellite, telco/IPTV and cable service providers. The new splicer claims to be fully integrated with Entone’s StreamLiner digital program insertion (DPI) solution, enabling operators to benefit from the end-to-end Harmonic and Entone solution for applications including national, local and targeted advertisement insertion.

Large scale introduction of new, high quality HD and SD digital television services is a critical requirement for operators of all types in today’s competitive and rapidly evolving market. In order to maximise new revenue opportunities and average revenue per user, service providers are also implementing targeted and localised advertisement insertion. Given the massive capital and operational expenses required to perform insertion in the uncompressed domain, satellite and IPTV providers in particular are looking for more compact and cost-effective digital splicing solutions supporting the rapidly growing H.264 format.

“Bandwidth limitations and the need to introduce more national and local HD services are driving operators to select the highly efficient H.264 compression standard,” stated Jean-Christophe Morizur, Director of Digital Video Product Marketing for Harmonic. “At the same time, operators are looking to take advantage of the additional revenue represented by national, targeted and local advertising. The new ProStream 2000 splicer, in combination with Harmonic’s market-leading video compression, stream processing and service management systems, offers service providers a more scalable, all-IP platform for seamless insertion of local programs and advertisements. The technically advanced ProStream 2000 does not degrade video quality in comparison with other splicing solutions, but the platform’s scalability does decrease cost per channel, making it an ideal solution for HD and SD H.264 ad insertion.”