Harris Corporation has announced that Egyptian state broadcaster ERTU has chosen Harris dual-cast TV transmitters as a central part of its preparation for the switch to digital transmission.

Harris Maxiva ULX liquid-cooled UHF TV transmitters and Platinum VLX liquid-cooled VHF TV transmitters have been ordered, and will cover the Great Cairo and the Matruh zones in Egypt.

ERTU selected Harris transmitters because they are compact, easy to maintain and, most of all, allow for an easy switch to digital transmission. The field-upgradeable design of the Platinum and Maxiva transmitters ensures that ERTU will not have to organise major technology rollouts or re-train its staff when ready to make the transition to digital.

Four Maxiva ULX 10 kW transmitters will transmit four national channels from the new Mokattam transmission site in the Egyptian capital of Cairo. These channels will carry programming including sports, entertainment and drama. Three Platinum VLX 5 kW transmitters will transmit three national channels covering the zone around the Mediterranean seaport of Matruh.

Both the Platinum VLX and Maxiva ULX transmitters incorporate software-definable Harris Apex M2X multimedia exciter technology for switching between multiple modulations schemes, as well as Harris PowerSmart technology for best-in-class power density and efficiency.

"The Harris transmitter portfolio is ideal for any analogue broadcaster planning a future transition to DVB-T, DVB-H, DVB-T2, ATSC or other digital standards," said Richard Scott, senior vice president, global sales and services, Harris Broadcast Communications. "With Harris transmitters, broadcasters can easily make the transition to digital via a simple software update, as well as carry out multichannel broadcasting of HDTV, DTV and mobile TV channels."

www.harris.com