Harmonic announced that SES AMERICOM has certified the use of the DiviCom Electra 7000 HD MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) encoders and the Ion AVC SD encoders for compression of local channels in the IP-PRIME IPTV distribution platform. The multi-channel encoding systems from Harmonic offer a cost-effective solution for telcos across the United States utilizing the IP-PRIME service to seamlessly add high quality, low bit-rate local broadcast SD and HD TV channels for distribution to subscribers.

IP-PRIME is a fully-featured broadcast and on-demand television service designed for telco and broadband service providers of every size. Architected by SES AMERICOM, IP-PRIME incorporates best-in-class IPTV technologies from a variety of leading technical partners in a complete, easy-to-deploy, cost-effective and managed solution. The IP-PRIME Broadcast Center in Vernon Valley, New Jersey transports 299 video channels, including 36 high definition channels, to the headend or central office that ultimately sends them to subscribers’ homes.

Harmonic’s full range of DiviCom encoders provides operators of all types with the highest performance solution for ultra-high quality video delivered at ultra-low bit-rates, while also significantly lowering power consumption. The compact 1-RU Electra encoders support multi-channel and multi-format delivery for up to four full resolution and four simultaneous low resolution video outputs in HD H.264, SD H.264 or SD MPEG-2. The IP-based Ion AVC encoder offers a cost-effective platform for constant bit-rate video delivery, while also supporting 12 audio channels.