Harmonic introduced a new MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) standard-definition (SD) encoder today.

The DiviCom Electra 5400 supports up to four SD channels in a one-rack-unit device, along with simultaneous low-resolution content for picture-in-picture, mobile video services or other applications. Harmonic claims the third-generation 5400 requires 30% less bandwidth than currently deployed H.264 encoders.

The 5400 will begin shipping to customers next month.

Also beginning shipment next month is Harmonic’s new high-definition MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) encoder, the DiviCom Electra 7000, which the company unveiled last month.

IPTV suppliers and telcos alike have been eagerly awaiting the shipment of MPEG-4 encoders in general, and some vendors have reported problematic delays of set-top boxes based on the new compression technology. Tut Systems blamed MPEG-4 development delays for problems in the second quarter.

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