Efficient File-Based Playout Solution Powers 14 FOX Channels, Including the New FOX Sports 1 Network
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Aug. 21, 2013 -- Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT), the worldwide leader in video delivery infrastructure, today announced that FOX Broadcasting Corporation is updating the entire playout infrastructure at its Los Angeles broadcast center with a Harmonic solution built on Spectrum(TM) ChannelPort(TM) branded channel playout. FOX made the shift to efficient file-based playout with integrated master control capabilities in preparation for its new FOX Sports 1 Network, which launched on Aug. 17.
"As a company we've never been afraid to innovate, and our investment in Harmonic's file-based playout solution is part of a major shift in how we produce and deliver content here at FOX," said Joe Coffaro, vice president of engineering at FOX Networks Engineering and Operations. "The ChannelPort playout and surrounding video infrastructure from Harmonic provides the reliability, functionality, and efficiency we require."
ChannelPort provides support for up to four channels per rack unit with exceptionally low power consumption, which aligns with FOX's growth strategy. The FOX network broadcast center in Los Angeles supports 14 FOX channels. This deployment relies on Harmonic infrastructure that includes Spectrum MediaDeck(TM) 7000 playout servers equipped with dozens of ChannelPort modules, redundant Harmonic MediaGrid shared storage systems, and MediaCenter(TM) server controllers with integrated storage that together provide dozens of ingest channels. A redundant Media Application Server is tightly integrated with the existing automation system at FOX to provide media asset management capabilities for the ChannelPort deployment.
ChannelPort speeds the cost-effective deployment of new SD and HD television channels by integrating branding and master control switching with clip playback on Spectrum, the industry's most trusted media server platform. Possessing powerful channel-in-a-box capabilities, the high-density ChannelPort enables the keying of multilayer graphics and dynamic text over playback or live video to produce rich on-air looks.
The dual DVE and eight-layer integrated branding capabilities offered by ChannelPort will make it easy for FOX to achieve an on-screen look for sports programming that is challenging and costly to achieve with traditional master control equipment. By placing both the main program and the commercial content on the same screen, a double-box effect allows FOX to go to a commercial break without leaving the action. The commercial runs in a large box while the game or other live program runs in a smaller box in the upper corner of the screen, with a themed background plate that matches the content of the commercial.
"The solution we're providing to FOX Broadcasting offers an advanced and very robust file-based workflow architecture that will support simpler yet more flexible playout of compelling broadcast content," said Eric Armstrong, vice president of North America at Harmonic. "As FOX continues to refresh its broadcast and distribution model, this architecture and complementary Harmonic technologies lay the foundation for even greater flexibility and efficiency in delivering highly competitive content."
Further information about Harmonic and the company's products is available at www.harmonicinc.com.
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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.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements related to the anticipated capabilities and benefits of Harmonic's ChannelPort(TM), MediaCenter(TM), MediaDeck(TM) 7000, MediaGrid, and Spectrum(TM) products. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the possibility that the products do not meet some or all of their anticipated capabilities or provide some or all of their anticipated benefits, such as reliability, functionality, simplicity, rich on-air looks, and flexibility and efficiency in content delivery.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, such as those more fully described in Harmonic's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec.31, 2012, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Harmonic as of the date hereof, and Harmonic disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
EDITOR'S NOTE -- Product and company names used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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