Harmonic offers solutions at IBC to capitalize on OTT services

Its proposal for this fair includes a complete range of solutions with simple migration paths to next-generation technologies including the cloud, all-IP workflows, HEVC and UHD-HDR.

Harmonic presents at IBC 2017 its vision to capitalize on broadcast and OTT services and interact with viewers like never before. In Amsterdam it shows a wide range of solutions with support for all deployment models, including software applications, cloud and hybrid environments, as well as software as a service (SaaS), to address the different needs of audiovisual content and service providers and their specific workflows today and in the future.

Using Harmonic solutions, service providers can deliver crystal-clear video with the lowest possible bandwidth; increase profitability through targeted advertising on all screens; and a transition to a simpler, more efficient and cost-saving workflow through next-generation technologies such as cloud, all-IP workflows, HEVC and UHD-HDR.

Harmonic enables AV content and service providers to deliver impeccable video quality anytime, anywhere, on any device with its powerful suite of VOS media processing solutions for all deployment models, reducing bandwidth by up to 50% for live streaming using its EyeQ intelligent content compression technology.

Smart compression

At IBC 2017, Harmonic is showcasing the EyeQ solution live in the exhibition area, demonstrating analytics data from a Tier 1 live broadcast satellite TV provider to improve quality of experience (QoE). Leveraging the latest innovations in video compression and cloud technology, Harmonic OTT solutions enable operators to provide better QoE compared to what exists today, with the ultimate goal of providing broadcast quality video with lower latency, essential for live events.

For OTT service providers looking to increase revenue and differentiate themselves, Harmonic highlights network PVR, targeted advertising insertion and UHD-HDR playback distribution capabilities. It is noteworthy that their proposal offers an end-to-end UHD-HDR workflow solution that supports channel creation, live streaming and on-demand applications.

Harmonic is unveiling its new Packager

Elsewhere, Harmonic has made the transition to the cloud for media processing and OTT service delivery even more attractive by adding new capabilities to its software solutions, VOS Cloud, and SaaS, VOS 360. At IBC2017, Harmonic is showcasing cloud playback capabilities, as well as unveiling new orchestrated workflows for the VOS cloud family.

VOS

Harmonic has expanded the processing and distribution workflow capabilities of its VOS media processing platform to simplify the delivery of OTT services. New workflow orchestration and delivery capabilities, including streamlined content capture, UHD support, personalized ad insertion, and multi-cloud support are available for VOS Cloud media processing software services and VOS 360 managed services.

Harmonic has also launched a new standalone media-originated workflow delivered from the VOS platform. Together, these improvements evolve OTT content distribution, video content and service providers to provide crystal clear video quality on all screens.

Video on mobility

Based on the premise that, according to some studies, 80% of mobile traffic will be video, Harmonic is exhibiting its EyeQ technology at IBC 2017 to allow operators to provide better QoE to end users on limited 3G, 4G and 5G mobile networks, taking advantage of the advances in this technology. During the demo, HD video is delivered using minimal bandwidth (i.e. below 500kbps) on a smartphone.

It also demonstrates an end-to-end low latency workflow for delivery over CDN, a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) viewing experience that will display stunning native UHD VR visuals and demonstrate multimedia multicast services (MBMS) over LTE, known as eMBMS.

Sky Brazil and TBC

During IBC we learned that the satellite operator Sky Brasil has implemented a video processing solution based on Harmonic software to provide linear HD and SD channels in its new broadcast center.

Through world-class video encoding technology, Harmonic's Electra X2 solution delivers crystal-clear video quality to Sky Brasil subscribers at the lowest bitrates.

As for Taiwan Broadband Communication (TBC), one of Taiwan's leading multi-system cable operators, serving more than 700,000 cable TV subscribers, it has recently deployed a second Harmonic headend to support its CATV service. Using a combination of Harmonic video encoders, multiplexers and playback systems, TBC delivers 120 HD and 64 SD channels to subscribers with exceptional video quality and local advertising.