Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has recently received orders from three leading Lebanese broadcasters — Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), National Broadcasting Network (NBN) and Future TV — for its standard definition/high definition (SD/HD) broadcast products. These sales were secured by the Harris reseller in Lebanon, ORBINET.

“Our business continues to thrive in the Middle East, particularly for our NEXIO™ servers and Inscriber® graphics products,” said Dave Dougall, vice president of sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for the Harris Broadcast Communications Division. “Our recent SD/HD sales wins in Lebanon underscore the success of our approach to provide locally based, Arabic-speaking engineers to support customers at a time of flux and trepidation as their businesses evolve. In addition, we continue to deliver robust, flexible and scalable solutions, using the latest SD/HD technology developments, to meet the ever-growing needs of our worldwide customers.”

LBCI, one the most popular channels in the Middle East, ordered an upgrade for its existing
H-Class™ ADC™ Playout Automation system as well as two Inscriber® RTX™ graphics systems and an Integrator® 96×64 routing matrix as part of an upgrade to launch new channels to the regional market. All the Harris equipment at LBCI is SD/HD-compliant, allowing for easy transition to HD as LBCI’s business model develops.

NBN, a leading 24-hour general entertainment station in Lebanon, selected the Harris® NEXIO XS™ SD/HD server platform for a new master control room (MCR). This installation also includes a Harris® IconMaster™ master control and branding system, a Harris® Integrator® routing matrix, a range of 6800+™ series modular products, Videotek® VTM Series™ test and measurement consoles and a Videotek® SDC-101 color corrector. This MCR installation was handled as a complete turnkey project by ORBINET and included design, installation, commissioning and training services.

Lebanon-based satellite channel Future TV chose Harris equipment as part of its launch of a new 24-hour all-news satellite channel dedicated to the Middle East. Future TV selected a 32×32 Integrator routing matrix, 6800+™ series modular products, 10 X75™ multiple-path converter/synchronizers and Harris® clocks.

Designed on a seamless codec model, the NEXIO XS™ server enables back-to-back playout of multiple formats on every channel, and is able to encompass new codecs the moment they become available. It provides an extensive range of I/O types, integrated applications support and encode options, including Long GOP MPEG2 at SD and HD resolutions, DV25, DV50 and IMX. Front-panel access to boot and media drives, as well as USB and IEEE-1394 (FireWire®) ports, makes NEXIO XS™ easier to use and service than other available options.

The ADC Playout Automation application is a premier production room tool for automated dubbing, content management, and program playout. Ideal for small- to mid-size broadcasters, the ADC Playout Automation application is capable of controlling a full range of devices, including all the latest integrated switchers and branding equipment, and the management of complex effects and playout tasks. Each pre-configured ADC™ can be customised to add air channels or device controls with the option of expansion as station needs grow.