Harmonic released an upgrade for its ProStream 1000 video-processing systems that provides the ability to transcode up to 20 high-definition or 80 standard-definition channels in a one-rack-unit chassis.
The vendor's Agile Compression Engine (ACE) supports MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (H.264) transcoding, as well as different applications including real-time transcoding for "digital turnaround," mobile video, Internet TV and digital program or ad insertion. Harmonic said ProStream 1000s can be upgraded in the field to add the transcoding features.
The "any-to-any" transcoding capability can convert any combination of MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC, HD, SD, and numerous audio codecs, including HD-to-SD downconversion. For example, cable operators can use ProStream 1000s with ACE to create multiple versions of video from the same input source, such as constant-bit-rate formats for time-shifted TV, according to Harmonic.
