Harmonic’s Electra X3 Encodes Japan’s First Live, Full-Frame 4K Ultra HD Channel for EHIME CATV

Japanese cable TV operator EHIME CATV has deployed Harmonic’s Electra X3 advanced media processor to support a trial of the country’s first live, full-frame 4K Ultra HD (UHD) channel. Utilizing the flexible and scalable Electra X3 media processor to encode UHD content using the HEVC Main 10 codec, EHIME CATV can deliver real-time 2160p60 video to subscribers’ set-top boxes (STBs) at low bit rates, while maintaining video quality targets. The Electra X3 media processor’s advanced compression technology provides EHIME CATV with high video quality while offering low total cost of ownership (TCO).

“We are the first video infrastructure provider to offer a fully converged platform for broadcast and OTT delivery of UHD content,” says Dario Choi, regional vice president of sales, Asia Pacific, Harmonic. “The Electra X3 media processor offers an innovative approach to encoding, enabling operators like EHIME CATV to deliver full-frame, broadcast-ready content with the utmost video quality, to drive new revenue-generating services.”

At the heart of the Electra X3 media processor is the Harmonic PURE Compression Engine, an advanced encoding technology that supports resolutions up to 2160p60 with the HEVC 10-bit codec for broadcast and OTT multiscreen delivery. By providing high-quality, low-bandwidth HEVC encoding of UHD content for EHIME CATV’s live broadcast services, the Electra X3 helps the operator deliver amazing video quality to subscribers at sub 20-Mbps bit rates from a cost-effective 2-RU appliance.

Harmonic will demonstrate the line of Electra X media processors at BIRTV 2015, Aug. 26-29, in Beijing at booth 8A28 and at IBC2015, Sept. 11-15, in Amsterdam at booth 1.B20.