Bell Aliant selects Harmonic for MPEG-4 network upgrade

Bell Aliant has selected Harmonic's DiviCom Electra 5400 SD encoders for an MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) upgrade that will let it enhance its Aliant TV video service for customers throughout the Atlantic provinces of Canada.

The move will make Bell Aliant among the first in Atlantic Canada to offer an MPEG-4 based service. The IP-based Electra platform delivers high video quality at low bit rates, enabling Bell Aliant to enhance the viewing experience. Bell Aliant was one of the first North American telcos to launch a commercial IPTV service, and has selected Harmonic encoding technologies for use in its headend facility in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Harmonic's single-rack unit Electra 5400 platform delivers up to four MPEG-4 AVC SD channels and simultaneously generates up to four low-resolution services for picture-in-picture or multichannel mosaic applications.

For more information, visit www.harmonicinc.com.