Sep. 11, 2015   
       
   NASA, Harmonic Launch First Non-Commercial UHD Channel in North America   
       
   NASA TV launches first ever non-commercial consumer ultra-high definition   
   (UHD) channel in North America   
       
   Credits: NASA TV/Mark Hailey   
       
   NASA is partnering with Harmonic, a worldwide leader in video delivery   
   infrastructure, to launch NASA TV UHD, the first ever non-commercial consumer   
   ultra-high definition (UHD) channel in North America. The partnership is the   
   result of a Space Act Agreement between Harmonic and the agency's Marshall   
   Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.   
       
   Using an end-to-end UHD video delivery system from Harmonic, NASA Television   
   will have the capability to deliver linear 2160p60 video content, allowing   
   viewers to enjoy footage on a wide range of television and internet-connected   
   devices. The new UHD channel is expected to launch on Nov. 1, following   
   preliminary tests.   
       
   "Partnering with Harmonic gives NASA an outlet for its UHD content, which has   
   four times the resolution of HD and is the next iteration of digital   
   television," said Robert Jacobs, deputy associate administrator for NASA's   
   Office of Communications at the agency's headquarters in Washington.   
       
   Leveraging the 8-megapixel resolution of UHD, the channel will showcase the   
   breathtaking beauty and grandeur of space. NASA TV UHD video will be sourced   
   from high-resolution images and video generated on the International Space   
   Station and other current NASA missions, as well as re-mastered footage from   
   historical missions.   
       
   Harmonic currently is in discussions with pay TV operators to carry the   
   channel on the satellite, cable and optical networks for consumer access. The   
   channel also will stream on the Internet, which will require at least 13 MBps   
   access connectivity to receive the signal and enjoy the UHD experience.   
       
   "As NASA reaches new heights and reveals the unknown, the NASA TV UHD channel   
   can bring that journey to life in every home. And as organizations at the   
   forefront of innovation, together we are leading the adoption of this exciting   
   technology," said Peter Alexander, chief marketing officer at Harmonic. "As   
   the leader in UHD development, Harmonic provides a complete solution for Ultra   
   HD video production and delivery, enabling content and service providers to   
   offer better video quality at a low total cost of ownership."   
       
   For more information on NASA TV programming, visit:   
       
       
   http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv   
       
       
   -end-   
       
       
       
   Karen Northon   
    Headquarters, Washington   
    202-358-1540   
   karen.northon@nasa.gov   
       
       
   Last Updated: Sep. 11, 2015   
       
   Editor: Karen Northon   
       
       
   Regards,   
       
   Roger   
      
   --- D'Bridge 3.99   
    * Origin: NCS BBS - Houma, LoUiSiAna (1:3828/7)