ASTRA Platform Services Selects Harmonic for Digital Headend Upgrade

24 July 2008

ASTRA Platform Services GmbH (APS), has selected Harmonic’s high definition (HD) encoders and statistical multiplexing for a network upgrade designed to substantially enhance and expand its HD MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) service. APS operates one of Europe’s most modern satellite broadcast centers, transmitting over 200 television and audio channels to subscribers throughout Europe from its headend in Germany. As a result of this upgrade, APS is able to strengthen its service portfolio while delivering unparalleled HD picture quality at very efficient bit-rates.

APS was Germany’s first playout center to offer HDTV as a regular service. SES ASTRA is Europe’s leading satellite broadcaster, delivering services to more than 117 million direct-to-home and cable households. Harmonic’s high performance encoding and IP-based statistical multiplexing solutions enable APS to combine multiple MPEG-4 AVC HD channels in a single pool, resulting in more efficient use of network capacity and reduced operational complexity. In addition, APS is now able to multiplex standard definition (SD) and high definition channels together in a shared statistical multiplex pool, resulting in greater flexibility and scalability of the channel line-up.

“Over the years, Harmonic has been a valued solution provider for our standard definition TV infrastructure, and has also helped us to increase the performance and availability of our digital television service,” said Jörg Eich, VP DVB/CA, APS. “In 2005, APS achieved a key milestone in the rollout of HDTV in Germany, and we completed a rigorous selection process for the HD service upgrade. Harmonic continues to demonstrate that they are able to provide very flexible high performance solutions, which can be seamlessly integrated into our infrastructure.”

“APS is a pioneer in satellite broadcast services in Europe and we are proud to be able to now also supply them with the latest in HD MPEG-4 technology,” said Jean-Christophe Morizur, Director of Digital Video Product Marketing for Harmonic Inc. “Harmonic has been advancing the state of the art in video technologies for twenty years. Our IP-based DiviCom Electra encoders are preferred by leading service providers around the world, and today power nearly 1,800 HD H.264 channels. The Electra 7000 HD encoder offers uncompromised HD video quality at ultra-low bit-rates, enabling customers such as APS to seamlessly upgrade their networks, expand channel capacity, and deliver the best in HD television to their clients.”