Harmonic has introduced the DiviCom MV 450 high definition digital video encoder. The product adds to its digital video compression and delivery solutions.

An official release informs that with a software-based architecture, superior compression capabilities and more output transport options, this real-time high definition encoder provides the power and flexibility that is essential for delivering value-added high definition broadcast and on-demand services.

Building on Harmonic's leadership in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) encoding systems, the new MV 450 incorporates a series of technologies pioneered by Harmonic that enable operators to more effectively address the tradeoff between bit rate and picture quality.

This is a particularly critical issue with HD services since inefficiently encoded material can easily consume the capacity of several - perhaps 10 or more - efficiently encoded, constant bit rate SD programmes. As demand for HD services grows, bandwidth efficiency becomes a significant consideration states the release.

Driven by falling prices of HDTV, capable television sets and increased HD programming from major broadcast and cable networks, over 10 US million homes will have high-definition TVs by mid-2004. Therefore for video service providers, offering HDTV is becoming increasingly important. HD encoders, like the Harmonic DiviCom MV 450, will be valuable in helping them efficiently manage network bandwidth for their rapidly growing lineup of HD programming adds the release.

The MV 450 incorporates a flexible software-based architecture that allows features and capabilities to be added to the system as needed. This architecture - field-proven in other Harmonic encoders - provides an added level of "future proofing" to both the encoder and the infrastructure in which it is deployed. Features enabled through the software architecture include digital program insertion (DPI).

This allows advertisements to be dynamically inserted into an already compressed digital video stream, and Harmonic's advanced LookAhead feature to maximise encoding efficiency. The encoder also features Dolby-E and VANC closed-captioning data extraction as well as 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 color sampling. In addition, the MV 450 supports 1080i, 720p and 480p formats to meet the requirements of various transmission systems and markets.

The MV 450's advanced features make it ideal for a variety of contribution, distribution and broadcast applications. The variable bit rate (VBR) MV 450, used in conjunction with Harmonic's third generation DiviTrackXE closed-loop statistical multiplexing system, can handle the most challenging video content - including fast action sports - while sharing limited bandwidth with other SD and HD services.

Furthermore, its efficiency in constant bit rate (CBR) mode combined with the new native IP output makes it attractive to programme originators and network distributors who must convey their HD content jitter-free over wide area networks with a specific level of video quality. This configuration is also well suited for emerging services such as HD switched broadcast - which allows operators to deliver programming to communities of interest without consuming bandwidth until someone "tunes in" - and HD video-on-demand (VOD), the release informs.

The California headquartered Harmonic provides digital video, broadband optical networking and IP delivery systems to cable, satellite, telecom and broadcast network operators. Harmonic's open standards-based solutions for the headend through the last mile, enable customers to develop new revenue sources and a competitive advantage by offering powerful interactive video, voice and data services. They include VOD, HD digital television, telephony and Internet access.