Harris Corporation is Twice Honored at 60th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy(R) Awards

Harris Corporation is Twice Honored at 60th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy(R) Awards

Harris Broadcast Technology Recognized for Enhancing Consumer Viewing Experience

CINCINNATI and LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) , an international communications and information technology company, received two awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) at the 60th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy(R) Awards ceremony that took place January 7, 2009, at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. This marks the eighth Emmy(R) that the company has received for introducing technology that enhances broadcasters' capabilities and the consumers' viewing experience.

During the event, which was held on opening night of the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Harris was presented with one Emmy(R) for introducing a communications protocol to control video servers for broadcast television and a second for inventing a method to combine analog and DTV signals on adjacent frequencies within a single antenna.

The first award honors Harris for Video Disk Communications Protocol(TM) (VDCP(TM)), a proprietary, serial communications protocol based on the RS-422 standard. Originally developed by Louth Automation, which Harris acquired in 1999, VDCP was rapidly adopted by virtually all server and automation manufacturers due to its ability to provide a simple, proven and reliable means of controlling video servers for broadcast television. Harris has maintained its commitment to open protocols with its leading role in later developments including Programming Metadata Communication Protocol (PMCP) and Broadcast eXchange Format (BXF).

"Consolidation and centralized control of operations are key objectives for today's broadcaster, which lends added significance to standards-based protocols," said Tim Thorsteinson, president of Harris Broadcast Communications. "Even with the recent proliferation of proprietary, vendor- specific protocols, VDCP still stands as the de facto standard. Essentially, any broadcaster who has ever needed automation control of video file servers has at some time or other used VDCP."

Harris was also recognized for its invention "Combining Adjacent TV Channels for Transmission by a Common Antenna," which is a method of "space combining" analog and DTV signals on adjacent frequencies within a single antenna. The ability to transmit multiple analog and DTV channels from a single antenna with nearly identical radiation patterns reduces costs for the broadcaster by eliminating the need for separate, expensive antennas for analog and DTV channels. The invention also simplifies engineering complexity by consuming less tower space and maintaining signal isolation between the analog and DTV transmitters. The technology was invented by the late Emmy(R) award-winning inventor Robert J. Plonka of Harris Broadcast Communications.

"Many DTV broadcasters using this technology today would have otherwise been forced to replace their antennas and towers prior to supporting DTV services," said Thorsteinson. "The ability to use a common antenna to simultaneously transmit analog and DTV signals has allowed many broadcasters to add adjacent DTV channels to existing transmission lines and antenna systems. This presents a far more cost- and time-efficient solution for local broadcasters while maintaining the integrity and quality of their broadcasts."

Launched in 1948, Technology and Engineering Awards honor development and innovation in broadcast technology and recognize companies, organizations and individuals for breakthroughs in technology that have a significant effect on television engineering.

Harris Broadcast Communications offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions that span the entire media delivery chain. The Harris ONE(TM) solution 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.

About The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, Technology & Engineering, and Business & Financial Reporting. Regional Emmys are given in 19 regions across the United States. Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including National Student Television and its Student Award for Excellence for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public. For more information, please visit the website at www.emmyonline.tv .

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of $5.4 billion and 16,000 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications(R) products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com .

Emmy(R) is a registered trademark of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

Source: Harris Corporation

CONTACT: David Cohen of Harris Broadcast Communications, Director,
Marketing Communications, +1-610-327-6483, david.m.cohen@harris.com; or Robin
Hoffman of Pipeline Communications, +1-973-746-6970,
robinhoffman@pipecomm.com

Web site: http://www.harris.com/
http://www.emmyonline.tv/

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Profile: International Entertainment