Harris Inks Agreement to Provide High Definition Digital Encoders to Hearst-Argyle Television Inc.
03/19/99
Business Wire
(Copyright (c) 1999, Business Wire)
CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 1999--Building on a master purchase agreement announced last month, Harris Corp. will provide 25 of its innovative FlexiCoder(tm) high-definition encoding systems to Hearst-Argyle Television Inc., which is poised to become the nation's ninth largest TV station group.
The Harris FlexiCoder, a high-definition and standard definition ATSC MPEG -2 encoding system, offers a number of distinct advantages, including a modular and upgradable platform that allows broadcasters to make an orderly, cost effective transition to digital television (DTV). FlexiCoder(tm) is capable of HDTV and SDTV encoding in both the interlaced and progressive-scan formats.
"Hearst-Argyle Television purchased one of the first Harris FlexiCoders in March 1997 in preparation for WCVB-DT becoming the first station in the Boston market to go on the air. Since then, our decision to select the FlexiCoder has been confirmed by the continuing efforts by Harris to improve upon and add functionality to the system," said Marty Faubell, vice president of Engineering for Hearst-Argyle Television.
"Based on the success of the product and our relationship with Harris, Hearst-Argyle has selected the FlexiCoder as our choice for encoding as we continue to rollout DTV to the balance of our 26 stations," added Faubell.
Bruce Allan, Harris Broadcast System Division's vice president and general manager, added: "Harris is very pleased to have been selected to meet all of the encoding needs of Hearst-Argyle as they aggressively implement DTV. We were told that the FlexiCoder's(tm) seamless upgrade path and the recent technology advancements in the product played a significant part in their decision."
Hearst-Argyle Television Inc. currently owns and/or manages 17 network-affiliated television stations, and manages two radio stations in geographically diverse U.S. markets. The company's television stations reach approximately 12 percent of U.S. TV households, making it the fourth largest non-network owned television group in the country. Once the announced transaction with Pulitzer Publishing is completed, Hearst-Argyle will extend its U.S. household TV coverage to approximately 17.5 percent, making it the nation's second largest independent station group.
Harris Broadcast Division is the leading supplier of radio and television products, systems and services, serving broadcasters in more than 150 countries.
The capabilities, products and applications at Harris Communications are focused in three markets -- wireless communications, broadcast communications and communications products. Harris solutions include microwave and wireless loop systems; secure radios for defense, national law enforcement and air traffic communications systems; analog and digital television and radio systems; enhanced services and digital switching platforms, telecommunication tools and test systems and network management systems for worldwide communications service providers and Broadcasters.
Harris Corp. (NYSE:HRS), with worldwide sale of $3.9 billion, is an international communications and electronics company focused on providing product, system and service solutions that take its customers to the next level. The company provides a wide range of products and services such as wireless and personal communications, automotive electronics, transportation, business information, defense communications and information, and Lanier office products.
Editor's Note: For further information, contact Martha Rapp at 217/221-7577 or email: mrapp@harris.com. Additional information about Harris Communications is available on the Internet at www.harris.com/communications.
Contact: CONTACT: Harris Corporation Martha Rapp, 217/221-7577 mrapp@harris.com
11:15 EST MARCH 19, 1999
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