Video Networks and Harmonic Complete Migration to World's First MPEG-4 AVC Broadcast TV Service; Landmark Development Shapes Future of Broadband Television and Reinforces DiviCom(R) MV 100's Market Leadership.SUNNYVALE, Calif. & LONDON -- Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq:HLIT), a leader in digital video compression Encoding digital video to take up less storage space and transmission bandwidth. See video codec and data compression. video compression - Compression of sequences of images. and IP delivery systems, today announced that Video Networks Limited (VNL VNL Via Net Loss VNL Virtual National Laboratory VNL Video Networks Limited ), provider of the HomeChoice entertainment and communications service, has completed the migration of its broadcast line-up to MPEG-4 AVC See H.264. (H.264), becoming the world's first revenue-generating broadcast television service delivered exclusively using an advanced compression technology. This landmark event in the broadband TV Broadband TV involves accessing multimedia content via an unmanaged broadband connection and viewing it on a PC or sometimes a normal TV. Broadband TV differs from IPTV as the network bandwidth is unmanaged and the system is inherently open. industry, enabled by Harmonic's versatile DiviCom(R) MV 100 multi-codec encoding platform, definitively validates the promise of MPEG-4 AVC and the power of IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) Also called "TV over IP," IPTV delivers scheduled TV programs and video-on-demand (VOD) via the IP protocol and digital streaming techniques used to watch video on the Internet. . It also affirms the technology and video quality leadership that has made the ultra-low bit-rate MV 100 the market's most widely deployed advanced codec-ready encoder. In early 2004, VNL deployed Harmonic's high performance DiviCom MV 100--the industry's first broadcast-grade, real-time, multi-codec compression platform--and its own multi-codec set-top box The cable TV box that sits on "top" of the TV "set," although it is often located several feet away in an equipment rack. The set-top box descrambles the premium channels and provides a tuner for the higher cable numbers that very old TVs did not support. for the new HomeChoice IPTV service. This gave VNL the ability to provision differentiated video services with MPEG-2 and build a strong foundation for future growth, then at a later date install the MPEG-4 AVC software option to cost-effectively extend its geographical reach and service-carrying capacity. Since April 2005, VNL has incrementally migrated groups of the operational MV 100 encoders to MPEG-4 in a process that was recently completed. "The completion of our migration to MPEG-4 for the delivery of our broadcast channels is an important milestone for Video Networks. The ongoing improvements in advanced encoding will enable us to free up bandwidth which can then be used in our continuous quest to provide ever more advanced products and services for our customers," said Roger Lynch, Chairman & CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Video Networks Limited. He added: "We are particularly proud to be the first company in the world to complete the MPEG-4 migration in broadcast. The move places a stake firmly in the ground for VNL and reinforces our position as world leaders For a list of heads of state, see . World leaders is a MMORPG. The game involves creating a state, joining an alliance and going into war. It is mostly played by players from Israel, China, USA, Britain, Brazil and Saudi-Arabia. in IPTV." "We see the benefit of advanced encoding in MPEG-4, combined with European service providers' migration to ADSL See DSL. ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line 2+ enabling the sector to provide HDTV (High Definition TV) A set of digital television (DTV) standards that offer the highest resolution and sharpest picture. Although some HDTV sets are available in standard (rather square) screen sizes, the overwhelming majority of sets are wide screen, which eliminates in the very near future," he concluded. VNL's successful transition is a testament to Harmonic's best-in-class implementation of MPEG-4 AVC which is fully able to deliver the compression capabilities required for bandwidth-sensitive network operators to provision compelling, revenue-generating TV services. In addition, the expanded reach made immediately possible thanks to the efficiencies of MPEG-4 significantly enhances the service's cost structure, strengthening VNL's position in a dynamic entertainment services market. VNL's pace-setting IPTV service offering represents a model for how IPTV can radically change the consumer experience from a passive broadcast format to a highly personalized, interactive experience. "Video Networks' move to MPEG-4 AVC, a historic event that will change the dynamics of the broadband TV industry, provides a strong technology platform for continued service innovation and business growth," said Patrick Harshman, President of the Convergent Systems Division of Harmonic Inc. "VNL's success highlights how Harmonic's singular focus on building value for its customers has produced groundbreaking products such as the DiviCom MV 100 multi-codec encoding platform. This approach minimizes the risk typically associated with emerging technologies while allowing operators to continuously grow their service portfolio and subscriber base. This is why, for example, approximately 4,000 advanced codec-ready DiviCom MV 100 systems are in service today, making it the world's most widely deployed encoding platform in its class." As part of the complete Harmonic-based solution, VNL is also using Harmonic's NMX NMX Normas Mexicanas (non-mandatory Mexican standard) NMX Network Modular Extension Digital Service Manager(TM) to monitor and control its complete digital television infrastructure as a series of services, simplifying the provisioning of these services while ensuring maximum uptime. NMX's management automation facilities have streamlined VNL's conversion to MPEG-4 AVC and eliminated the potential for errors during the migration that can cause sustained unplanned downtime. About the DiviCom MV 100 The DiviCom MV 100 encoding platform delivers compression efficiencies and video quality that redefine the meaning of ultra-low bit-rate encoding for MPEG-2 and advanced video codecs such as MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) and SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, White Plains, NY, www.smpte.org) A professional society for motion picture and TV engineers with more than 9,000 members worldwide. It prepares standards and documentation for TV production. VC-1. The MV 100 builds on more than a decade of digital video compression leadership and the experience gained by delivering encoders that power more than 30,000 channels. With its innovative software architecture, massive processing capacity and multiple output options, the MV 100 is the engine behind emerging applications, such as MPEG-4 video-over-IP and cable digital simulcasting services, as well as core ultra-low bit-rate broadcast and stored content applications. About Video Networks Limited Video Networks is a leading provider of broadband entertainment and communications through its digital TV, video-on-demand (VOD See video-on-demand. VoD - video on demand ), home phone and Internet services under the brand name HomeChoice. The company's service is currently available to 2.4 million homes across London and Stevenage. The HomeChoice entertainment service is the best all round digital TV, video-on-demand and broadband Internet See broadband. package on the market, with over 80 of the best broadcast and on-demand entertainment channels including BAFTA Baf´ta n. 1. A coarse stuff, usually of cotton, originally made in India. Also, an imitation of this fabric made for export. award-winning interactive music channels and more than 5000 on-demand movies, music videos and TV programmes. Sky Sports and Sky Movies channels are available on the HomeChoice platform under a retail distribution agreement with BSkyB. About Harmonic Inc. Harmonic Inc. is a leading provider of digital video, broadband optical networking Communications between computers, telephones and other electronic devices using light. An optical network is far more reliable and has far greater potential transmission capacity than networking in the electrical domain. See optical fiber. and IP delivery systems to cable, satellite, telecom and broadcast network operators. Harmonic's open standards-based solutions for the headend through the last mile enable customers to develop new revenue sources and a competitive advantage by offering powerful interactive video, voice and data services such as video-on-demand, high definition digital television, telephony and Internet access. 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: ongoing improvements in advanced encoding which will enable VNL to free up bandwidth, enabling the sector to provide HDTV in the very near future, and the move to MPEG-4 AVC being a historic event that will change the dynamics of the broadband TV industry. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results could differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release area 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 Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. and Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 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. |
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