SKY Perfect Selects Harmonic's Video Compression for High Definition MPEG-4 AVC Satellite Service
Enhancing the service offering with more HD is important to enable DTH operators to strengthen their competitive position and deliver a more compelling experience to viewers. Several of the world's largest satellite service providers have selected Harmonic's Electra 7000 for their next generation HD services. The compression efficiency afforded by the Electra platform makes it possible to add significantly more channels per transport, lowering capital and operational expenditures.
"Harmonic is a trusted partner that offers SKY Perfect the reliability, experience and performance required for our HD H.264 service," said Shuichi Iida, General Manager, Platform Systems Department for SKY Perfect Communications, Inc. "In addition to providing better picture quality than other solutions, the Electra 7000 HD encoders are easily added to our existing Harmonic MPEG-2 video headend, managed by Harmonic's NMX Digital Service Manager. As a result, the deployment risk and cost of ownership of our service expansion are reduced."
"SKY Perfect is a well-respected operator that has achieved success in delivering impressive video services to its subscribers," said Patrick Harshman, President and CEO of Harmonic Inc. "Harmonic is focused on making sure our customers can achieve the best video quality and maximize service carrying capacity by bringing to market superior IP-based compression solutions including the Electra HD and SD H.264 encoders and DiviTrackIP statistical multiplexing."
SKY Perfect is taking full advantage of the Electra 7000's high density design to deliver four channels of full resolution HD in one rack-unit (RU) which are then multiplexed using the versatile DiviTrackIP solution. In addition, the Electra encoders can also simultaneously generate four parallel low resolution video channels for applications such as picture-in-picture and digital mosaics. Harmonic is also offering system integration and training services to SKY Perfect as part of the deployment.
About SKY Perfect Communications Inc.
Having launched Japan's first satellite digital broadcasting in 1996, SKY Perfect Communications Inc. offers a digital multichannel satellite broadcasting service in Japan. SKY Perfect operates platforms that provide a bridge between broadcasters responsible for supplying programs and satellite operators who wirelessly transmit programs from satellites, driving the expansion of the pay TV market in Japan. SKY Perfect envisions launching around 10 HD channels in the summer of 2008. It will also aim to launch about 20 additional HD channels in the fall of 2009, to offer an approximate total of 30 HD channels.
Visit http://skycom.skyperfectv.co.jp/ for more information.
About Harmonic Inc.
Harmonic Inc. is a leading provider of versatile and high performance video solutions that enable service providers to efficiently deliver the next generation of broadcast and on-demand services including high definition, video-on-demand, network personal video recording and time-shifted TV. Cable, satellite, broadcast and telecom service providers can increase revenues and lower operational expenditures by using Harmonic's digital video, broadband optical access and software solutions to offer consumers the compelling and personalized viewing experience that is driving the business models of the future.
Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with R&D, sales and system integration centers worldwide. The Company's customers, including many of the world's largest communications providers, deliver services in virtually every country. Visit www.harmonicinc.com for more information.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27(A) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21(E) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements related to: the launch of SKY Perfect's new DTH HDTV platform in 2008.
Our expectations and beliefs regarding the capabilities of Harmonic's solutions for HD services and the anticipated benefits to SKY Perfect may not materialize, and actual results could differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in Harmonic's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its recent Reports filed on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Harmonic does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.
EDITOR'S NOTE - Product and company names used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE: Harmonic Inc.
Harmonic Inc. Sarah Lum, +1-408-543-2392 (Media Relations) sarah.lum@harmonicinc.com or StreetConnect (Investor Relations for Harmonic) Michael Newman, +1-408-542-2760 hlit@stct.com