Mexican TV Provider Megacable Deploys Unified Headend Solution From Harmonic
Using Harmonic's Integrated Video Processing and Network Management Solutions, Megacable Can Quickly Launch New Channels and Deliver Improved Video Quality
SAN JOSE, Calif.(23 Apr 2014)
Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT), the worldwide leader in video delivery infrastructure, today announced that Megacable, one of the largest cable TV providers in Mexico, has deployed an integrated headend solution from Harmonic to power its cable TV services. Employing a high-density, scalable architecture that includes Harmonic's Electra 9200 universal multiservice encoder, ProStream 9100 with ACE(R) high-density stream processor and transcoder, and NMX(TM) Digital Service Manager video network management solution, Megacable cost-effectively delivers high-quality SD and HD video content to set-top boxes (STBs) located in more than 110 cities throughout Mexico.
"Prior to this installation, we were managing a variety of diverse headends around the country, which made it challenging to provide a consistent channel lineup and good video quality to our customers," said Emerson Sampaio, chief technology officer at Megacable. "Through a unified headend, Harmonic's unique video processing and network management solutions improve our operational efficiencies, allowing us to deliver exceptional video quality and uniform channel lineup, and to rapidly roll out new channels and revenue-generating services."
Since deploying the Harmonic solution, Megacable has consolidated more than 110 headends situated in cities across its service area down to two main headends -- located in Guadalajara and Veracruz -- which feed approximately 20 regional headends. From the Guadalajara headend, Harmonic's Electra 9200 encoders provide high-quality, low-bandwidth MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC encoding of SD and HD video content for Megacable's television services. Harmonic's ProStream 9100 stream processors with DiviTrackIP(TM) technology work with the Electra encoders across a LAN or WAN, allowing for efficient management of the encoders' statmux pools. Leveraging DiviTrackIP, the Electra supports up to 64 channels per statmux pool, providing Megacable with a high-density solution that reduces the operator's capital and operating expenses.
By simultaneously generating both an HD AVC and an SD MPEG-2 down-converted output signal from a single HD input, the Electra 9200 allows Megacable to reach HD AVC and legacy SD MPEG-2 STBs in the most cost-effective manner possible, all while providing amazing video quality. The encoder features a scalable architecture that will grow as Megacable adds more channels and services in the future.
In addition to the Electra encoders, Megacable has deployed Harmonic's ProStream 9100 with ACE in its backup headend in Veracruz. The ProStream 9100 with ACE performs transcoding of 60 SD or 20 HD MPEG-2 and AVC broadcast channels, further increasing Megacable's operational efficiencies and cost savings. In addition, the ProStream 9100 features enhanced socket redundancy capabilities that enable triggering of Megacable's disaster recovery site based on a set of predefined conditions.
The NMX Digital Service Manager video network management solution supplies a powerful set of tools for monitoring and managing Megacable's cable TV services.
"Our customers in Latin America are realizing the dramatic impact that a unified headend can have on their business," said Alvaro Martin, managing director of sales for Latin America at Harmonic. "The installation at Megacable is a great example of the operational efficiencies, reduced expenses, and improved video quality that an integrated infrastructure solution from Harmonic brings to the table."
Harmonic's market-leading video processing and cable edge solutions will be featured at booth 1247 during The Cable Show 2014 in Los Angeles, April 29 - May 1. Further information about Harmonic and the company's products is available at www.harmonicinc.com.
About Harmonic
Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) is the worldwide leader in video delivery infrastructure for emerging television and video services. The company's production-ready innovation enables content and service providers to efficiently create, prepare, and deliver differentiated services for television and new media video platforms. More information is available at www.harmonicinc.com.