Tim, I find it hard to believe HLIT moves much at all based on what Ciena is doing. I doubt most people even know HLIT is involved with DWDM, as HLIT finds this to be an important secret.
Here's another article on DWDM with no mention of HLIT.
zdnet.com
It does mention a few players from Japan which have also been active in cable infrastructure. But, as you must know there are people who know HLIT is out there, and I should think they might be thinking about buying the company.
Here's a second press release this week.
harmonic-lightwaves.com
Regards,
Mark
HARMONIC LIGHTWAVES ADDS ADVANCED REMULTIPLEXING CAPABILITIES TO TRANSENDTM DIGITAL HEADEND
- TRANsend's new Remultiplexing Abilities Allow Broadcasters to use
one Transmission System for Cable, Satellite and Wireless Networks -
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - September 14, 1998 - Today at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC), Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc. (Nasdaq: HLIT) announced that its TRANsendTM digital video and high-speed data system now offers advanced remultiplexing capabilities that allow broadcasters to combine and transmit any combination of locally or remotely-sourced video, audio and Internet Protocol (IP) data over cable, satellite or wireless networks. Instead of purchasing multiple independent solutions, broadcasters can invest in a single TRANsend platform to deliver all their service offerings over all their network infrastructures. This new remultiplexing capability is made possible by Harmonic's new Integrated Receive eXchange module (model IRX 8000) and its support for the popular ASI, DS3 and E3 network interfaces.
"TRANsend's new remultiplexing capabilities give broadcasters the flexibility to meet their real-world needs. TRANsend enables broadcasters to assemble customized program offerings - combining video, audio and IP data - regardless of the contents' sources, or the networks the programming will be distributed over," said Patrick Harshman, Harmonic's director of digital products. "This flexibility also allows local broadcasters to add local content to network programming, which can be a distinct advantage in competitive local markets."
Remultiplexing via the IRX 8000 module
The latest addition to Harmonic's TRANsend line of digital products, the IRX 8000 module is housed in Harmonic's digital video platform (VTP 8000), which is the primary building block of the TRANsend digital headend. Utilizing the VTP 8000's eXchange bus, the IRX can receive multiple MPEG-2 transport streams, individual or multiplexed, from a variety of sources.
These sources can include satellite transmissions; SDH, PDH and ATM networks; video servers, or another video transmission platform.
The TRANsend digital headend was recently chosen by Golden Channels and Co., Israel's largest cable television operator, as the key component of its state-of-the-art digital cable television network.
The TRANsend Digital Headend - Flexible and "Future Proof"
Harmonic's TRANsend digital headend is a compact, integrated and modular system that can be flexibly configured for the transmission of digital video, audio and high-speed data. A complete TRANsend headend is comprised of several components, including the IRX 8000, an MPEG-2 multiplexer (MMX 8000) module, an MPEG-2 encoder module (MPE 8000) and a transmission platform (VTP 8000) that serves as the headend's building block.
The compact VTP 8000's unique design allows it to integrate up to 10 IRX 8000, MPEG-2 encoder and multiplexer modules in any combination, and eliminates the need for cumbersome external cables. In addition to Harmonic's current modules, the VTP can also accept future modules that can provide the entire system with new capabilities. This feature of the VTP allows it to be continually modified and updated over time to meet broadcasters' changing needs, making the TRANsend system exceptionally "future proof." This flexibility makes TRANsend an attractive solution for delivering today's services, and a cost-effective platform that can deliver future services.
TRANsend can be custom configured to address broadcasters' individual needs via Harmonic's NETWatchTM Element Management System. NETWatch can also be used to greatly improve the reliability of the entire system, by automatically switching from primary IRX, encoder and multiplexer modules when it detects the fault of a primary module.
In wireless and cable broadcast systems, the MPEG-2 multiple program transport stream from the MMX 8000 is transmitted over the broadband network via Harmonic's TRANsend QAM modulator (QMM 8000).
TRANsend digital compression and networking products are compatible with all relevant worldwide standards, including ITU (International Telecommunications Union), DVB (Digital Video Broadcast project) and DAVIC (Digital Audio Video Council).
Availability
The IRX 8000 module is scheduled to begin shipping in the fourth quarter of 1998. All other TRANsend products are currently available.
About Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc.
Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets digital- and lightwave-based communications systems that deliver video, audio and data over hybrid fiber/coax (HFC), satellite and wireless networks. Harmonic's advanced solutions enable cable television and other network operators to provide a range of broadcast and interactive broadband services that include high-speed Internet access and video-on-demand.
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Harmonic operates its New Media Communication subsidiary and an R&D facility in Israel, along with a sales and support center in the United Kingdom. Harmonic is ISO 9001-certified and employs approximately 300 people. The company's stock is traded on the Nasdaq stock market under the symbol "HLIT."
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, scheduled shipment dates of the IRX 8000 and the ability of the VTP platform to be compatible with future products, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth in documents that Harmonic Lightwaves files with the SEC, specifically reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q. |
