Harris Corporation to Deliver ONE(TM) Broadcast Solution to Meredith for New Atlanta Centralcasting Hub

Harris Corporation to Deliver ONE(TM) Broadcast Solution to Meredith for New Atlanta Centralcasting Hub

Overall Effectiveness of Single-Vendor Solution Cited as Key Factor in Equipment Choice for New File-Based Operation

CINCINNATI, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) , an international communications and information technology company, has received an order from Meredith's Local Media Group, owner of 12 television stations in the U.S., to supply a fully integrated Harris ONE(TM) solution for the broadcaster's Atlanta centralcasting hub. The complete broadcast solution will allow Meredith to establish a centralized, file-based broadcast structure for its Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, South Carolina, Michigan, and Connecticut stations -- delivering a more sensible and efficient workflow for its entire eastern U.S. operation.

The overall effectiveness of a single-vendor solution was the main reason for choosing Harris, according to Larry Oaks, vice president of technology for Meredith. Oaks also cited scalability and familiarity of the Harris brand as secondary reasons. Meredith recently upgraded its HD broadcast operations at KPHO-TV in Phoenix with Harris broadcast equipment, and plans to implement a West Coast hub-and-spoke operation for three stations featuring Harris equipment.

"We are building a complete file-based solution in Atlanta to support a minimum of 12 HD streams and implementing a full-form centralized model, so we had to understand the traditional flow of content today and where we wanted everything to go," said Oaks. "We needed to develop a system that worked hand-in-hand to provide an efficient and easy structure for the entire facility, stream-by-stream. We decided to look at single-vendor solutions to ensure a lower-cost implementation and integrated functionality among all of the components. We believe that the Harris solution delivers both of these benefits to support a very successful centralized, file-based broadcast operation."

The integrated Harris ONE solution for the Meredith Atlanta hub features NEXIO AMP(TM) advanced media platforms, Predator II(TM) multiviewers, Platinum(TM) and Panacea(TM) routers, ADC(TM) automation, NEO conversion gear, 6800+(TM) distribution frames, NetVX(TM) MPEG-4/H.264 encoding and video/audio networking, Harris DTS Neural Surround(TM) 5.1 and two-channel audio processing, CCS Navigator(TM) control and monitoring for all six stations, Videotek test and measurement equipment, and IconMaster(TM) master control switchers and branding equipment.

Oaks added that while every component is crucial to the success of the operation, the NEXIO AMP servers, NetVX encoding/networking, and CCS Navigator monitoring will play particularly important roles.

"The NEXIO AMP has a software-upgradeable codec and the ability to play out content in various flavors for multiple media formats -- very strong features that we'll use as we receive different file flavors from other vendors," said Oaks. "The NetVX, which I consider one of the top MPEG-4 encoders on the market, enables us to push out that media from the server and switching gear to the end station over fiber. And as in any hub environment, the need to monitor remote facilities is very important from both a quality and continuity perspective. CCS Navigator addresses on-air quality and continuity as well as our maintenance and service requirements."

The first three hub locations will go online by the end of 2009, with the final three stations following through mid-2010. Oaks also plans to scale the Harris solution in Phoenix, adding redundant NEXIO servers and CCS Navigator centralized monitoring among other new components.

"The Harris ONE approach is ideal for organizations like Meredith that are looking to centralize operations and enable a pathway to full-form centralcasting and file-based broadcasting," said Tim Thorsteinson, president of Harris Broadcast Communications. "Our unique ability to supply a completely interoperable, single-vendor solution enables broadcasters to centralize costs, support and workflow and bring greater efficiency and clarity to their daily operations."

Harris Broadcast Communications offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions for broadcast, cable, satellite and out-of-home networks. The Harris ONE(TM) solution brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that enable advanced media workflows for emerging content delivery business models.

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 approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 15,000 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

DTS Neural Surround(TM) is a trademark of DTS, Inc.

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Source: Harris Corporation

CONTACT: David Cohen, Director, Marketing Communications, Harris
Broadcast Communications, +1-610-327-6483, david.m.cohen@harris.com; or Brian
Galante, Pipeline Communications, +1-570-425-2315, briang@pipecomm.com

Web Site: http://www.harris.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment