Canal Alpha reduces bitrate 50% with new Harmonic playout and delivery system
Swiss broadcaster Canal Alpha has selected Harmonic's software-based XOS Advanced Media Processor to integrate playout and delivery across various networks, including DTT, IPTV, CTV, and OTT. The solution uses AI-powered EyeQ content-aware encoding to reduce bitrates by up to 50% while supporting UHD delivery. This deployment streamlines Canal Alpha's 24/7 channel origination and direct-to-consumer delivery.
Key Takeaways
- Swiss broadcaster Canal Alpha deployed Harmonic's XOS Advanced Media Processor.
- The system uses AI-powered EyeQ content-aware encoding to reduce bitrates by up to 50%.
- Solutions support UHD delivery and manage playout across DTT, IPTV, CTV, and OTT networks.
- Canal Alpha's IT Infrastructure Manager, Dany da Costa, highlighted open APIs for integration.
- The software-based design aims to save space, reduce equipment, and lower energy consumption.
Why It Matters
Broadcasters are under increasing pressure to optimize delivery costs while maintaining video quality across disparate platforms. Canal Alpha's deployment of Harmonic's XOS media processor demonstrates a strategy for achieving these goals through advanced encoding and unified playout. This move suggests continued investment in software-defined infrastructure to reduce operational expenditure and physical footprint. The ongoing shift to AI-assisted encoding tools like EyeQ will define how effectively traditional broadcasters can compete with cloud-native content providers. Watch for more regional broadcasters to adopt similar converged playout-to-delivery solutions as they look for operational efficiencies.
Read full article at inbroadcast.com