HRS Harris Corp.

BSkyB Purchases Harris Automation System for New HD Services Sky HD Services to Benefit From Tapeless Ingest and Playout BASINGSTOKE, England, May 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) today announced that British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) has purchased the Harris D-Series Ingest and Play-to-Air Automation System for its forthcoming High-Definition Television (HDTV) services, with Harris also providing full turnkey systems integration for the new HD playout platform. As BSkyB moves from tape-based playout to a server-based environment, the D-Series system will provide a reliable, scalable content management and delivery foundation for the launch of BSkyB's HDTV channel offering in 2006, which will include sports, movies, entertainment and factual programming. Because every environment is unique, the D-Series is configurable to provide the seamless ability to combine HD and SD material under one overall control system. Moreover, it will continue to support existing workflows and services, while allowing the introduction of new technology when required. The automation system is complemented by the latest in encoding and conversion technology, therefore providing BSkyB with a reliable, scalable and flexible platform that is fully integrated with its existing operations. According to John Phipps, vice president of Harris Automation Sales for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, "Harris is proud to be selected for this important project. The Harris D-Series system has an excellent reputation for quality and reliability and will provide BSkyB with the option to work in any format it chooses. These capabilities are vital for broadcasters who seek to expand their operation to exploit new market areas and technologies and the project showcases Harris' expertise in this area." Whereas many other automation systems are adapted from original designs for single channel playout, the D-Series was designed from the start for multi-channel operation. D-Series automation streamlines ingest, access and playout of digital assets by providing a "content aware infrastructure" that supplements central database information with embedded metadata in each segment of the server-based material. This superior metadata engine is essential for new services such as interactive television, where content and consumers are identified and targeted for new revenue streams. The Harris D-Series is a truly frame-accurate, real-time multi-channel automation system that provides automatic failover protection with error detection and correction features, thus assuring high-quality, uninterrupted on-air performance. About Harris Broadcast Communications Division Harris Broadcast Communications Division is one of four divisions within Harris Corporation, an international communications equipment company focused on providing assured communications(TM) products, systems and services for government and commercial customers in more than 150 countries. One of the world's leading suppliers of broadcast technology, Harris Broadcast Communications Division offers a full range of solutions that support the digital delivery, automation and management of audio, video and data. For more information, visit http://www.broadcast.harris.com/ . DATASOURCE: Harris Corporation CONTACT: Becky Smith, Ellabeck Communications Ltd, +011-44-0-1795-521729, or ; or Martha Rapp, Harris Corporation, +1-217-221-7577, or Web site: http://www.harris.com/ http://www.broadcast.harris.com/

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