Sun Direct TV has deployed Harmonic’s market-leading digital video solutions for India’s first MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) direct-to-home broadcast service. Harmonic has enabled Sun Direct TV to quickly offer its new DTH service to 40 million homes in southern India by providing a rapidly deployable, end-to-end solution encompassing the latest generation DiviCom Electra encoders, DiviTrackIP statistical multiplexing, the ProStream 8000 digital mosaic solution and NMX Digital Service Manager. Sun Direct TV’s new service was launched in early 2008 with 120 SD channels, and the operator plans to add HD video in the near future.

The world’s leading satellite video service providers including seven of the ten largest DTH operators use Harmonic’s advanced IP-based solutions to deliver ultra-high quality video at ultra-low bit-rates. The Electra encoders are used as part of a statistical multiplex to enable Sun Direct TV to maximize service-carrying capacity by optimizing bit-rates based on content complexity, while providing superior video quality for a compelling viewing experience. The ProStream 8000 digital mosaic solution is also being used by Sun Direct TV to add digital audio channels to its DTH line-up.

Harmonic’s IP-based DiviCom Electra H.264 encoders deliver up to four full resolution and simultaneous low resolution channels in one rack unit, offering operators a dense, high performance solution that significantly reduces energy consumption. Harmonic was the first solution provider to introduce IP-based statistical multiplexing with DiviTrackIP, offering operators more flexibility in their video networks by eliminating the need for encoders to be physically co-located. Sun Direct TV’s network is provisioned and managed by Harmonic’s service-centric and user-friendly NMX Digital Service Manager.