Harmonic Upgrades XOS Processor for Next-Gen Broadcast
▼ Summary
– Harmonic has enhanced its XOS Advanced Media Processor to reduce broadcast distribution costs and improve viewer experiences.
– The updates help broadcasters transition to new standards like ATSC 3.0 in the U.S. and DTV+ in Brazil, and migrate from C-Band to Ku-Band satellite and IP distribution.
– For ATSC 3.0, the processor supports Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio to deliver richer, more accessible NextGen TV experiences.
– For DTV+ deployment, it integrates playout, encoding, and gateway functions into one appliance, lowering costs and supporting advanced codecs for efficient, high-quality delivery.
– The solution simplifies the shift to IP delivery by supporting hybrid satellite/IP workflows, using standards like SRT, RIST, and Ku-Band to maintain reliability while migrating from legacy infrastructure.
Harmonic has introduced major upgrades to its XOS Advanced Media Processor, a move designed to cut broadcast distribution costs while simultaneously improving the quality of the viewer experience. These enhancements arrive as the industry undergoes significant shifts, including the move from C-Band to Ku-Band satellite, the broader adoption of IP-based delivery, and the ongoing rollouts of next-generation standards like ATSC 3.0 and DTV+.
According to Stéphane Cloirec, vice president of video appliances and software product management at Harmonic, broadcasters globally are managing complex transitions. The improved XOS platform aims to simplify these processes, allowing companies to modernize their operations, reduce infrastructure complexity, and offer audiences a more compelling product.
The XOS media processor consolidates playout, high-end encoding, and broadcast delivery into one unified system. The latest updates provide broadcasters with several key advantages.
For the ongoing ATSC 3.0 deployment in the United States, the processor now supports Dolby Vision advanced HDR with look management. This feature allows broadcasters to fine-tune high dynamic range content for different display types, ensuring the original creative vision is maintained on any screen. It also incorporates Dolby Atmos object-based audio, which includes support for audio description and dialog enhancement. This not only improves accessibility for viewers but also creates a more immersive soundscape, enriching NextGen TV applications within a streamlined software-based workflow.
In markets adopting the DTV+ standard, such as Brazil, the XOS processor is engineered to lower deployment expenses. It achieves this by integrating playout, encoding, and gateway functions into a single appliance. The solution supports advanced codecs like VVC, LCEVC, and MPEG-H audio, enabling broadcasters to deliver high-quality, low-latency video and audio while using bandwidth more efficiently. Furthermore, its integrated ROUTE and STLTP gateway functionality allows for the centralized management of all DTV+ parameters, which simplifies operations and reduces costs.
The platform also addresses the industry-wide migration toward IP delivery. It supports traditional satellite workflows alongside IP distribution using protocols like SRT or RIST, combined with CDN distribution, all while maintaining high video quality and low latency. This hybrid approach leverages emerging standards such as satellite Ku-Band downlink and RIST packet recovery over IP. This helps broadcasters transition away from older satellite infrastructure in a controlled manner, ensuring they maintain broadcast-grade service reliability for primary distribution channels.
Harmonic plans to showcase these new XOS Advanced Media Processor capabilities at the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas.
(Source: Streamingmedia.com)
