Television New Zealand Launches New Freeview HD and SD Digital Terrestrial Service  

Television New Zealand has deployed  high definition (HD) and Electra 5400 standard definition (SD) MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) encoders for the new Freeview digital terrestrial television (DTT) service launched this week. The new service is New Zealand’s first HD digital service, and is currently available to approximately 75 percent of homes nationwide.

The Freeview service is one of the world’s first live HD and SD MPEG-4 AVC DTT services, and accelerates New Zealand’s migration to digital as the analog service shutoff approaches. TVNZ also utilizes Harmonic’s ProStream™ 1000 stream processing platform with DiviTrackIP™ distributed IP statistical multiplexing to further enhance bandwidth efficiency by dynamically adjusting bit-rates based on content complexity. Magna Systems, a leading system integrator in the region, implemented the system and will provide ongoing support and maintenance.

“High definition is becoming an increasingly important part of the video experience, whether for a pay-TV service or over the air,” said Tom Lattie, Director of Broadcast and Satellite Solutions for Harmonic Inc. “Harmonic is committed to enabling service providers around the world to continuously enhance their service portfolios. Television New Zealand is at the forefront of service innovation by offering households across the country this exciting new DTT service.”