Sun Direct TV Deploys Video Delivery Solutions for India’s First MPEG-4 Satellite TV Service

19 March 2008

Sun Direct TV Private Limited has deployed Harmonic’s digital video solutions for India’s first MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast service. Sun Direct TV can quickly offer its new DTH service to 40 million homes in southern India by providing a rapidly deployable, end-to-end solution. Sun Direct TV’s new service was launched in early 2008 with 120 standard definition (SD) channels, and the operator plans to add high definition (HD) video in the near future.

Sun Direct TV’s launch of India’s first MPEG-4 DTH service reflects our commitment to bringing the best and most advanced video service to our customers,” said Tony D’Silvia, Chief Operating Officer for Sun Direct TV. “Harmonic’s innovative video delivery technologies are well regarded around the world. The compression efficiency of the Electra encoders makes it possible for us to provide outstanding picture quality at lower bit-rates, but most importantly, Harmonic’s quickly deployable IP-based solution played a key role in enabling the rapid launch of our DTH service.”

“Sun Direct TV is a dynamic operator with great vision,” said Raymond Tse, Vice President of Asia Pacific Sales for Harmonic Inc. “By leveraging the latest in MPEG-4 technology, Sun Direct TV is able to deliver digital content much more efficiently and cost-effectively, resulting in greater bandwidth utilization and a highly competitive digital video offering. With this deployment, Sun Direct TV assumes a clear technology leadership position in India’s DTH market.”