SRG SSR selects Harmonic video processing for HDTV

Swiss electronic media organisation SRG SSR has specified Harmonic multi-function video encoders, stream processing solutions and management tools for its new HDTV services. The new solutions will allow SRG SSR to begin its migration to HD, while continuing to provide legacy channels as long as they are required. “Harmonic’s video compression and processing solutions deliver the flexibility and quality to successfully address the challenges of migrating services from SD to HD over the next three to five years,” said Andre Frank, project manager, distribution/engineering media services, at SRG SSR. “Additionally, the Electra 8000 is designed to reclaim bandwidth by increasing the channel count per transponder while maintaining video quality, so we can continue to expand our HD services well into the future.” The Electra 8000 encoders provide SGR SSR with SD and HD, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC encoding, as well as integrated statistical multiplexing. The Electra 8000’s architecture, featuring up to four channels in a single-rack unit, is said to significantly reduce operational costs for SRG SSR with its high density and power efficiency. SRG SSR is also using Harmonic’s ProStream 1000 stream processing platform for bulk scrambling, and NMX Digital Service Manager for configuration, control and monitoring of Harmonic and third-party video network elements. “With Harmonic’s video compression, stream processing, and management solutions we are able to expand our global customer base by offering new customers like SRG SSR unique and integrated solutions that enhance scalability, improve performance, and ease management of their video services as they make the move to HD,” said Michael Salomon, area sales manager, Germany, for Harmonic Inc. Installation of the system at SRG SSR was undertaken by systems integrator and Harmonic reseller Euromedia Service GmbH. www.harmonicinc.com