Harmonic to acquire transcoding technology from Rhozet

Looking to strengthen its position in content delivery to Internet and mobile video devices Harmonic has agreed to acquire Rhozet, a privately held company. The deal is worth $15.5 million in cash and stock (approximately 1.1 million shares), and the acquisition — subject to customary closing conditions — could be finalized next month.

Rhozet offers software-based transcoding solutions that support the creation of multiformat video for Internet, mobile and broadcast applications. The addition of Rhozet's software transcoding technology will enable Harmonic to offer its broadcast, cable, satellite and telco customers an easy way to seamlessly create and deliver high-quality Internet and mobile video programming.

The move is also expected to expand Harmonic’s presence into the online video service provisioning market, where Rhozet's transcoding solutions are today in use by Web video content providers, including Amazon.com, MSN and Yahoo.

Rhozet’s product line includes Carbon Coder, a standalone software transcoding application, and Carbon Server‚ an enterprise-level distributed transcoding management application. The company’s solutions have been deployed by more than 100 customers including Amazon.com, Ascent Media, BT, CBS, Channel 10 Israel, Detroit Public Television, Entertainment Television, ESPN, MSN, MTV Networks, Sony, Technicolor, The FeedRoom, thePlatform, The Weather Channel and TVAzteca.

For more information, visit www.rhozet.com and www.harmonicinc.com.