Harmonic adds decoding and mobile encoding to DiviCom Electra

Harmonic Inc. has added decoding capabilities to its DiviCom Electra and Ion encoders with the DiviCom FLEX universal video and audio decoding module. The DiviCom FLEX solution supports MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC streams in both HD and SD formats, and supports re-use of incoming stream information. Platform operators can now decode and re-encode in the same chassis, saving space and money. Up to four channels of decode/encode can be supported in one rack unit.

DiviCom FLEX features IP input functionality that allows operators to source content from IP networks or IP-ready RF demodulators/descramblers. It supports the deployment of geographically distributed headend architectures and furthers the cause of all-IP headends. Harmonic says the dense, single platform solution provides operators with a new level of agility with real-time 'any-to-any' video and audio format re-encoding.

"Our broadcast, cable, satellite and telco customers are embracing video over IP technology at a rapid pace, and they are looking to eliminate baseband audio and video wiring, switching and routing in their operations," says Elie Sader, Product Marketing Manager at Harmonic Inc. "We are transitioning to a model where content is acquired over IP networks or IP-enabled devices, and then translated into formats suitable for the operator’s delivery platform.

"Our FLEX technology, combined with the Electra and Ion encoders, enables a fully IP-based infrastructure across the entire video processing chain from content acquisition to re-transmission. The integrated solution provides our customers a powerful tool that lowers the cost and complexity of headend operations."

The new module can be easily inserted into the existing Harmonic encoder chassis. FLEX then allows operators to quickly launch new services and re-balance current line-ups by enabling access to both IP and ASI-based content. "This solution is ideally suited for telco, cable, broadcast and direct broadcast satellite [direct-to-home] operators looking for a high quality, multi-format, multi-resolution re-encoding solution," states the California-based vendor.

In a 1RU chassis, a fully optioned DiviCom Electra encoder with FLEX technology is capable of decoding and re-encoding up to four full resolution HD or SD channels while simultaneously generating up to four low resolution services for picture-in-picture or multi-channel mosaic applications. FLEX also supports pass-through of up to eight audio services per video programme.

"The introduction of HD and the continued roll-out of new services have increased headend complexity," continues Sader. "Operators receive content from multiple sources in various formats, which often must be re-encoded prior to distribution. By providing a means to manage content delivered over IP or ASI, FLEX technology provides operators significantly greater flexibility and scalability in provisioning and expanding their channel line-ups."

Harmonic has pioneered IP-enabled video delivery with innovative solutions including DiviTrackIP, the world's first IP-based distributed statistical multiplexing solution. The new FLEX decoding technology can be seen at NAB on Booth SU9612.

In a separate pre-NAB announcement, Harmonic says it has added low-resolution mobile video encoding on its DiviCom Electra MPEG-4 AVC SD encoder. The company promises superior video quality at "ultra-low bit-rates" in formats including QVGA and SIF. "This solution is ideal for lower resolution applications such as video delivery to automobiles via satellite transmission or IP-based streaming to the PC and handheld devices," the company says.

The mobile encoding benefits from the full set of technologies on the Electra including video pre-processing, dynamic noise reduction, full multi-pass hierarchical LookAhead compression and IP-based statistical multiplexing. LookAhead uses a dedicated MPEG-4 AVC compression processor to fully analyse incoming video content and proactively apply  efficient encoding strategies.

"By fully exploiting Harmonic's full resolution multi-pass architecture and noise reduction processing, our mobile resolutions on the Electra platform offer significantly improved video quality in comparison with the DSP-based alternatives utilised for QVGA encoding today," the company claims. "In addition to SIF and QVGA, Harmonic's compression platform will be able to scale to support a number of additional resolutions, including QCIF and SQCIF."

Visitors to NAB can see the Electra 5400 standard-definition encoding platform supporting the QVGA format for mobile applications.