Harmonic, Almatel Kazakhstan Launch Joint HEVC DTH Service

Downtown Astana, Kazakhstan. Photo: World Bank, Flickr.

Harmonic announced that Almatel Kazakhstan, operating under the brand name Alma TV, has augmented its cable television service with the launch of a Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite television platform using Harmonic’s High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) video compression solution.

Harmonic’s Electra X media processing platform allows Alma TV to deliver Standard Definition (SD), High Definition (HD) and Ultra-HD channels across Kazakhstan with increased bandwidth efficiency by leveraging the HEVC video codec. According to Harmonic, Alma TV can also use the software-based Electra X system to adopt new formats and codecs in the future, including 4K/UHD.

“Being able to deliver around 140 SD and HD channels from the same DTH platform improves efficiencies and gives us a competitive edge in the marketplace, attracting new subscribers,” said Eric Franke, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Almatel Kazakhstan.

With extra bandwidth at its disposal, Alma TV has launched a Ultra-HD channel and is planning to expand its Ultra-HD offering in the future to increase revenue streams.