Harmonic Inc. announced today that triple-play provider Tiscali UK is expanding and upgrading its IPTV service in the United Kingdom with Harmonic's DiviCom Electra 5400 SD MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) multichannel encoders.

As part of its rollout of the Tiscali TV service to 10 million homes in cities throughout the UK, Tiscali is upgrading its encoding platform to enable higher-quality video services at lower bit-rates. The IP-based Electra 5400 enables Tiscali to free up bandwidth for high-definition (HD), high-speed data and other advanced services.

In 2005, Video Networks Limited, which was later acquired by Tiscali, launched the world's first all-MPEG-4 broadcast video service using Harmonic's MV 100 encoders.

"Harmonic is a valued solution provider that has worked with us to deliver a reliable and high-quality IPTV service since the launch of Home Choice in 2005," said Aarne Aho, managing director of IPTV technology development at Tiscali. "Video quality, cost and functionality were important factors as we evaluated solutions for our Tiscali TV service expansion."

Harmonic also announced today that PCCW has deployed its DiviCom Electra 7000 HD MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) encoders to power its HD channel service in Hong Kong.

PCCW is a triple-play telecommunications service provider that operates “now TV,” which is among Hong Kong's largest IPTV services with over 882,000 subscribers.

More Broadband Direct:

• Nielsen, Charter sign deal for STB data 

• Charter’s Allen receives informal inquiries from potential investors 

• Time Warner execs hold fire on TWC and AOL 

• Motorola puts cash into Invidi 

• TiVo connects with YouTube for videos on TV 

• Tiscali UK, PCCW deploy Harmonic encoders 

• Nortel debuts 40G/100G system 

• Broadband Briefs for 3/12/08