New Direct-to-Home Satellite TV Service in Australia Launches with Harmonic's IP-Based MPEG-2 Video Solutions

* DiviCom® Encoders and DiviTrackIP™ Distributed Statistical Multiplexer Optimize Service-Carrying Capacity and Video Quality for SELECTV.

Harmonic Inc. (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that SELECTV has deployed Harmonic's industry-leading IP-based compression and multiplexing solutions for its direct-to-home (DTH) satellite pay TV service in Australia. The efficient DiviCom® Electra™ 1000 multi-channel MPEG-2 variable bit-rate (VBR) encoder is being used in combination with the DiviTrackIP™ distributed statistical multiplexing solution to allow SELECTV to more easily aggregate content while maximizing their service carrying capacity and providing superior video quality. Now fully operational, SELECTV offers programming packages that are not available from the local cable and satellite pay-TV providers.

SELECTV's DTH service, which is available throughout Australia, targets selected ethnic and cultural market segments and includes language-specific, community-oriented and other premium channels acquired from facilities in both Australia and the United States. The efficiencies and versatility of Harmonic's IP-based MPEG-2 solution allows new entrants such as SELECTV to quickly and cost-effectively implement a compelling video service, greatly simplifying the introduction and ongoing management in comparison with other approaches. For many operators, like SELECTV, MPEG-2 video solutions continue to be a proven platform with outstanding VBR compression performance and superior video quality with the economics and end-to-end compatibility typical of an established technology.

"As a new video service provider in Australia, SELECTV recognized early on that it needed to do more than simply replicate what was already available in the market," said Andrew Robertson, Chief Technology Officer of SELECTV. "Focusing on underserved viewer segments and creating specific programming packages with content sourced from around the world provides a rich and differentiated television service, though several difficult technical challenges were generated, which Harmonic helped us overcome. Harmonic's IP-based architecture provides greater flexibility in acquiring, delivering and managing our video services, and at the same time, offers an extensible foundation that can seamlessly grow with our business. The Electra encoders with DiviTrackIP statistical multiplexing eliminate complications associated with obtaining content from different countries. We receive superior quality video at low bit-rates for a higher channel density per leased satellite transponder, while minimizing the rack space and cost, which optimizes our return on investment."

"SELECTV is leading the way in a new category of service providers who are creating a place for themselves by focusing on a series of discrete market demographics," said Shahar Bar, Director of Satellite and Broadcast Solutions for Harmonic Inc. "This emerging business model requires a more extensive understanding of the viewer's interests and preferences as well as a versatile and scalable service infrastructure to enable it. Harmonic is likewise leading the way with IP-enabled systems that give SELECTV and other operators a better way to implement and manage their video services. Our advanced MPEG-2 compression solutions, such as the DiviCom Electra 1000 and DiviTrackIP, provide a cost-effective and competitive foundation for satellite operators today and into the future."

The DiviCom Electra 1000 efficiently MPEG-2 encodes up to four channels in a compact one rack-unit package. As such, SELECTV is able to implement a 12 channel multiplex in a mere five rack units, significantly reducing space and power requirements. The award-winning DiviTrackIP solution, in use worldwide by leading operators, streamlines the aggregation of content and minimizes video bit-rates by dynamically interoperating with encoders over a LAN or WAN. Adding channels and reconfiguring a multiplex is simplified by the intuitive "point, click and provision" user interface of Harmonic's NMX Digital Service Manager™, a service-oriented system that allows centralized monitoring and control of SELECTV's entire video infrastructure.


About SELECTV
SELECTV is Australia's new national satellite TV service, providing quality programming at affordable prices across Australia.

Established in 2005, SELECTV provide quality TV content, with service agreements providing full service satellite, teleport and other operating facilities. SELECTV partners with well known television content providers, Movie Network, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), National Geographic, Cable News Network (CNN), Bloomberg TV, EuroNews and a host of other current affairs, children's, sport, lifestyle and in-language dedicated channels to deliver premium quality language programmes to customers. SELECTV will continue to expand its content offering to customers in the future.

About Harmonic Inc.
Harmonic Inc. is a leading provider of 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 such as video-on-demand, high definition digital television, telephony and Internet access.

Harmonic (Nasdaq: HLIT) is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with R&D, sales and system integration centers worldwide. The Company's customers, including many of the world's largest communications providers, deliver services in virtually every country.