-
21-Jul-2010
by John Moulding
-
Harmonic keeps video focus, but diversifies
-
Delivery Networks
Harmonic Inc. believes its acquisition of Omneon, which is set to close by the end of September, means the company can tick every box in the chain between acquisition and delivery. The addition of Omneon adds video optimized storage, playout and production servers and media management and this combined strength will be highlighted at IBC in September. The companies are moving fast to converge physically: Omneon staff in California will move into a new Harmonic HQ in San Jose this September (the two companies are already very close to each other).
David Price, Vice President, Business Development and Marketing Communications at Harmonic, views this as a major acquisition for the company and one that will deliver significant brand equity in both directions. The deal continues a strategy of pursuing an undiluted, core focus on video. But it does mean Harmonic will become a more diversified company in terms of products, geographic markets and customers.
Production and playout (as a result of the Omneon deal) will make up 21% of post-acquisition Harmonic revenue while video processing will make up 39% of revenue compared to 52% previously. In terms of geography, Harmonic becomes a more international company (making up 54% of revenue compared to 49% previously). Customer diversification is also viewed as a key benefit: Harmonic’s Top 10 customers accounted for 47% of revenue but following the Omneon deal, this falls to 36%.
While there is a neat fit between the products the two companies offer, there are some opportunities for joint development of future solutions, especially around transcoding. And the companies will be well placed to meet any demand for greater integration between video servers and compression. At IBC the companies will be exhibiting on separate stands in Hall 1 (Harmonic) and Hall 7 (Omneon).
Related news:
SABC uses Harmonic C&D for FIFA World Cup
Harmonic contribution and distribution solutions were deployed to facilitate the live broadcast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the official South African Broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup. The tournament was played in 10 stadiums in nine South African cities from June 11 to July 11, 2010. The SABC selected Harmonic Ellipse 1000 contribution encoders, Electra 8000 HD broadcast encoders and ProView integrated receiver/decoders (IRDs) along with Atecom’s ATM adaptors from local Harmonic partner Graphic Image Technologies (GIT).
To bring the matches live to fans, an Electra 8000 dual-channel HD encoder and 12 Ellipse 1000 SD encoders, ProView 2900 SD IRDs and ProView 7000 HD decoders were seamlessly integrated through Atecom Falcon ATM units over the local telco’s ATM network into SABC’s video infrastructure. The link-up facilitated networking the FIFA International Broadcast Centre (IBC) to SABC’s Broadcasting Centre at the Sandton Convention Centre and their master control room in Auckland Park for final broadcast.
Harmonic ships one million QAMs
Harmonic Inc. has announced shipment of more than one million QAMs to cable service providers worldwide. The company’s edgeQAM technology powers VOD, broadcast, Switched Digital Video (SDV), M-CMTS (Modular Cable Modem Termination System) and cable IPTV services that serve more than 50 million cable TV subscribers around the world. Eighteen of the 20 largest MSOs in the United States, in addition to Tier 1 MSOs in Europe and Asia, have deployed Harmonic’s NSG edgeQAMs. NSG was the world’s first edgeQAM, introduced in 2000.
The latest generation NSG 9000 universal edgeQAM is a high density system that offers what is claimed to be the industry’s best RF performance. It serves as a highly integrated digital video gateway, capable of performing multiplexing, encryption, QAM modulation and RF up-conversion for video and data streamed over an HFC network. “We have a strong roadmap for the future and are developing advanced solutions designed to meet our customers’ needs for density, performance and ease of operation,” says Gil Katz, Senior Director of Cable Solutions at Harmonic.
About the author
John Moulding joined Videonet as editor at the start of 2010, having spent over 10 years writing about digital TV and the various technologies that have simultaneously disrupted and enriched the television business. With Videonet he is focused on the unstoppable march towards multiplatform, connected and personalized television. John was editor of Cable & Satellite International (now CSI) for six years before helping launch New Video Technology, and helped develop the IPTV World Series conference programmes from 2006-07. At home, he takes a Sky triple-play bundle, watches around one-third of content time-shifted, enjoys BBC iPlayer on television through the Wii, and eagerly awaits the arrival of YouTube on his own TV (the killer TV application for late on a Friday night). He is still loyal to channels - but can also remember when TV shut down after lunch.
Want to add a comment?
Register at Videonet for free and you will be able to add comments on all our Blog & Analysis items.
Back to previous page