Harmonic has joined forces with German IP broadcast specialist Dimetis to create a fully integrated field test system to accelerate the distribution of next-generation terrestrial TV services in Germany.
   

Utilising a combination of Harmonic’s Electra X2 advanced media processor, ProStream 9100 high-density stream processor, DiviTrackIP statistical multiplexing technology, and NMX Digital Service Manager integrated with the Boss Broadcast Manager from Dimetis, video content and service providers can migrate to the new DVB-T2 and HEVC video compression standards, with the aim of reducing capital and operational expenses while improving video and audio quality.

“Relying on Germany’s current terrestrial TV distribution system, which is comprised of DVB-T and MPEG-2, TV service providers are ill-equipped to support the sophisticated requirements of today’s flat-screen television sets,” said Joachim Kniesel, CEO at Dimetis. “By partnering with Harmonic, one of the industry’s leading providers of video compression solutions, we will help German service providers successfully address the government’s mandated DVB-T switch-off scheduled for the year 2020 and improve the quality of services delivered to television viewers.”

Transitioning to the DVB-T2 standard is expected to provide broadcasters with a range of benefits including improved spectrum efficiency, SD to HD service enhancement, superior video quality, Dolby Digital Plus/AAC audio support, and DVB subtitles. Leveraging HEVC, the DVB-T2 standard enables broadcasters to deliver more services per channel at a low total cost of ownership.

“The German TV market is just on the cusp of making the jump from DVB-T to DVB-T2 terrestrial television distribution,” said Bart Spriester, senior vice president of video products at Harmonic. “Developing an integrated DVB-T2 HEVC solution with Dimetis, we are helping to facilitate this next-generation television experience. At the heart of the solution is Harmonic’s new multi-service, multi-codec, multi-function Electra X media processor, which offers superior video quality, function integration, bandwidth efficiency and workflow flexibility to simplify video infrastructure, reduce costs and drive new revenue-generating services.”