NEWS

PBS Deploys Harmonic’s Digital Video Solutions For Next Generation Satellite Distribution System

Top U.S. Public TV Broadcaster Uses DiviCom® Encoders, Multiplexers and NMX Digital Service Manager™ for High Quality MPEG-2 Video Delivery to Over 350 Member Stations

April 17, 2007

Harmonic Inc. (NASDAQ:HLIT) today announced that the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the largest digital satellite television distributor in the United States serving stations that reach more than 75 million viewers nationwide, has deployed Harmonic’s market-leading MPEG-2 digital video solutions for its Next Generation Interconnection System (NGIS). The Harmonic systems deployed include DiviCom® MPEG-2 high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) encoders, DiviTrackXE™ statistical multiplexing and the versatile NMX Digital Service Manager™. The ultra-high compression efficiency of Harmonic’s DVB-compliant digital video solutions enables PBS to enhance their satellite-based video service and reduce costs by adding more channels per transponder while also providing viewers with superior picture quality. NGIS is the primary distribution system for delivering approximately 10,000 hours of SD and HD content per year to all member stations of the PBS community across all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. “In designing the PBS next generation interconnection system, we were looking to implement technologies that would allow us to optimize real-time processing and distribution of our video content,” said Jerry Butler, Senior Director, Interconnection Replacement Office of PBS. “Harmonic’s DiviCom HD and SD encoders and DiviTrack statistical multiplexing offered the best MPEG compression, performance and picture quality. This bandwidth efficiency was particularly important in improving the service carrying capacity of our satellite transponders, enabling us to cost-effectively accommodate more high definition and standard definition programming.” “The extensive PBS distribution network needed a video delivery solution that is reliable, efficient and of the highest quality,” said Mark Renfroe, Vice President of Americas Sales for Harmonic Inc. “Over the years, Harmonic has continuously set the benchmark in MPEG compression and delivered the highest quality solutions for customers around the world. Our market leadership in MPEG-2 HD continues to be strengthened with the ongoing performance improvements available on our latest generation systems. The combination of industry expertise, a sharp focus on providing best-in-class digital video solutions and outstanding technical services available from Harmonic enables PBS to more effectively manage and distribute their content.” Harmonic’s market-leading family of DiviCom encoders includes both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) systems for standard or high definition. For MPEG-2 applications, Harmonic’s HD and SD encoders offer unmatched performance and leverage Harmonic’s longstanding record of compression leadership. The DiviTrack statistical multiplexing solutions further enhance bandwidth efficiency by adjusting bit-rates of channels in the pool according to the complexity of the video. The entire video headend is managed by Harmonic’s NMX Digital Service Manager, a powerful set of tools for monitoring and managing compressed digital video and audio services as well as the systems through which these services flow. Harmonic is also providing professional services, support and training for the PBS system. About PBS PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and reaches over 75 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS’ premier kids’ TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (www.pbskids.org), continue to be parents’ and teachers’ most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet. About Harmonic Inc. Harmonic Inc. is a leading provider of versatile and high performance video solutions that enable service providers to efficiently deliver the next generation of broadcast and on-demand services including high definition, video-on-demand, network personal video recording and time-shifted TV. Cable, satellite, broadcast and telecom service providers can increase revenues and lower operational expenditures by using Harmonic’s digital video, broadband optical access and software solutions to offer consumers the compelling and personalized viewing experience that is driving the business models of the future. Harmonic (NASDAQ:HLIT) is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with R&D, sales and system integration centers worldwide. The Company’s customers, including many of the world’s largest communications providers, deliver services in virtually every country. Visit www.harmonicinc.com for more information.

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http://www.harmonicinc.com
http://www.pbs.org