Harris Corporation Supports Entravision's Power Maximization Plan With Digital Transmitters for 17 Stations

Harris Corporation Supports Entravision's Power Maximization Plan With Digital Transmitters for 17 Stations

Harris PowerCD(R) Transmitters to Reduce Monthly Operating Costs at Each High-Power Station; DiamondCD(R) Transmitters to Fulfill Maximization Requirements at Lower-Power Stations

CINCINNATI, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation's (NYSE:HRS) Broadcast Communications Division (BCD) today announced that Entravision Communications Corporation, a diversified Spanish-language media company that owns and/or operates 48 television stations in the United States, has purchased Harris digital television transmitters for 17 of its stations. Entravision selected Harris PowerCD(R) high-power, UHF ATSC transmitters for the majority of the stations, as well DiamondCD(R) UHF solid-state transmitters for stations requiring a total power output of less than 15kW. The PowerCD and DiamondCD transmitters provide digital transmission across all power levels and will allow all 17 stations to transmit digital terrestrial programming at the maximum power allocated to each station by the FCC. The transmitters will ship in 2006.

The Harris PowerCD(R), launched at April's NAB show, is designed to maximize market coverage and operational efficiencies while minimizing costs throughout the life of the transmitter. Operational costs are minimized and performance is maximized due to a combination of high-efficiency tubes and Harris-exclusive correction and filtering techniques. The PowerCD(R) uses E2V's high-efficiency ESCIOT(R) tubes, which provide enhanced efficiency thanks to a multi-stage depressed collector design.

"The PowerCD(R) provides a power efficiency that can potentially reduce our monthly operating costs by six percent," said Sonny Cavazos, director of engineering for Entravision. "The PowerCD(R) also offers us additional power output beyond conventional IOT transmitters and a robust, redundant design maximizes transmitter uptime."

The PowerCD and DiamondCD transmitters, featuring Harris' top-end APEX(TM) digital exciters with real-time adaptive correction capabilities for linear and non-linear distortions, will be integrated with existing Harris Ranger(TM) UHF ATSC digital transmitters at all 17 stations. Specific connections will allow engineers to enable a dual-exciter configuration within either the new transmitter or Ranger(TM) at each facility, providing additional on-air redundancy. Harris-designed switching devices will allow engineers to switch to the lower-power Ranger transmitters so stations can stay on the air during maintenance procedures on the higher-power transmitters. Cavazos added that the DiamondCD(R) provides a solid-state design that eliminates the need for tubes, further reducing expenses and maintenance procedures at Entravision's lower-power stations with fewer engineering resources.

Entravision selected Harris following an analysis of two competing vendors. In addition to the numerous efficiencies provided by each transmitter, Cavazos pointed to a lengthy vendor-customer relationship, value and outstanding customer service as deciding factors in the selection.

"Harris offered the best value for our dollar with the PowerCD(R) and DiamondCD(R)," he said. "Entravision uses many Harris products, so we're very familiar with their excellent customer service and support staff. They're quick to supply spare components when needed, usually with same- or next-day delivery."

The PowerCD(R) also offers an IT-oriented infrastructure featuring an internal Linux-based Harris eCDi(R) transmitter network monitoring and control system to optimize remote operation. A secure system with password-protected access levels, eCDi provides full monitoring and control of all transmitter elements, including power amplifier status, output monitoring, cooling system monitoring and control, control system diagnostics, RF system mode control, and RTAC control and monitoring.

"Harris is pleased that Entravision has selected Harris transmitters for power maximization across more than one-third of its television stations," said Dale Mowry, vice president and general manager of Harris Broadcast Division's Television Broadcast Systems business unit. "This order also marks the largest number of PowerCD transmitters sold to one station group since its introduction in April. The PowerCD(R) continues to gain support from broadcasters seeking to maximize their high-power stations. In combination with the lower-power DiamondCD transmitters, this order reflects Harris' ability to provide maximization solutions for digital television transmission regardless of a station's power level."

About Harris Broadcast Communications Division

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. With headquarters in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual sales of over $3 billion and more than 13,000 employees -- including 5,500 engineers and scientists -- dedicated to the development of best-in-class assured communications(TM) products, systems, and services. The company's operating divisions serve markets for government communications, RF communications, broadcast communications, and microwave communications. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at http://www.harris.com/ .

ESCIOT(R) is a registered trademark of Marconi Applied Technologies Limited.

Source: Harris Corporation

CONTACT: Mary Beth Harnett, Harris Broadcast Communications Division,
+1-513-459-3620, or mharnett@harris.com; or Robin Hoffman of Pipeline
Communications, +1-973-746-6970, or robinh@pipecomm.com, for Harris

Web site: http://www.harris.com/

EDITORS' ADVISORY: Photos are available on the Harris website at http://www.broadcast.harris.com/news/photos.asp

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