Harris Corporation Receives Order to Expand H-Class D-Series Broadcast Playout Automation at South Africa’s M-Net

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has received an order from M-Net, a leading terrestrial and satellite broadcaster in South Africa, to expand an existing Harris® H-Class™ D-Series™ playout automation system at its transmission facility in Johannesburg. M-Net broadcasts to more than 1 million subscribers in 41 countries across Africa.
The 24-channel expansion project and all existing channels will be transitioned to the latest version of the D-Series™ playout automation software, Version 4.0, which runs on the Linux operating system. Version 4.0 provides new functionality, device drivers and communications models.

“We have been using D-Series™ automation software for over three years, and Harris was the natural choice for this expansion project,” said Seymour Holman, head of transmission at M-Net. “It allows us to capitalize on our existing workflows and incorporate the expansion of South Africa’s multichannel Supersport — as well as our locally originated channels — into our line-up. Not only has the D-Series™ system provided a workflow solution that meets our transmission needs, but it is also a very reliable and scalable system that is simple to use. It also interfaces to a range of third-party vendor equipment, which is key for our installation.”

“Our automation products perform mission-critical functions at M-Net and are known at broadcast facilities around the world for their reliability and flexibility,” said Tim Thorsteinson, president of Harris Broadcast Communications. “Harris recently invested in the migration of its existing automation products, including D-Series™ playout automation, to current technology platforms. This new, Linux-based operating system has allowed M-Net to expand its offering to viewers more cost-effectively and with the most efficient use of the organization’s staff.”

The D-Series™ playout automation system is a member of the H-Class™ family of interoperable media applications. D-Series™ was designed as a reliable automation solution for direct-to-home satellite delivery services platforms, cable multiple system operators, and global and national commercial TV networks. The functionality, scalability and redundancy inherent within the D-Series™ system allows media services to manage complex, multichannel operations with a small number of staff.

The sale to M-Net was handled by Concilium Technologies, the Harris Broadcast Communications partner in South Africa.

The D-Series™ playout automation system is part of the channel release offerings in the Harris Broadcast Communications ONE initiative to deliver interoperable workflow solutions that span the entire broadcast delivery chain. The unique Harris approach brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that are ideal for emerging media business models and for customers upgrading media operations to digital and high-definition services.

See Harris Broadcast Communications at IBC2007 Stand No. 7.621.