Paxson Communications Standardizes on Harris Corporation's Leitch DTP(TM) Turnaround Processor

Paxson Communications Standardizes on Harris Corporation's Leitch DTP(TM) Turnaround Processor

CINCINNATI, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) today announced that Paxson Communications Corporation (AMEX:PAX), based in West Palm Beach, Florida, will standardize on the Leitch DTP(TM) turnaround processor throughout its nationwide broadcast television distribution system. Paxson has ordered 56 DTP-220 systems to support its group of television stations, 52 of which are currently on air in digital.

The DTP(TM) is an all-MPEG-2 compressed stream processor that allows broadcasters to overlay graphics/logos on pre-compressed high-definition and standard-definition streams inexpensively and with superior video quality. Working entirely in the compressed domain, the DTP(TM) enables broadcasters to decrease storage requirements, lower distribution costs and streamline operations as a result of having smaller files and narrower pipes to manage.

"With 52 of our stations already broadcasting in digital, we were looking to acquire flexible equipment that is essentially ready to go out of the box -- equipment we can install across the board in all our stations, no matter what the size of the operation or the level of technical expertise on-site," said Dave Glenn, vice president of engineering for Paxson Communications. "We wanted a system that would enable multicasting, bit-stream splicing, Emergency Alert System (EAS) insertion and control via IP, and the Leitch DTP(TM) was the only system that could do it all. We evaluated the market for several months before making the final decision, and the DTP(TM) out-performed all the top competitors."

The DTP(TM) provides MPEG-2 switching and stat mux for one HD program combined with two SD programs, or up to six SD programs, and offers broadcasters many unique benefits. Complete control of the DTP(TM) is possible via IP connections. Its flexible software architecture allows new features to be rolled out quickly and efficiently -- in most cases by doing software-only updates to units in the field. The DTP(TM) allows a remotely encoded DTV signal to be localized with such applications as logo overlays, crawls, time and temperature, stock information, and local weather and news, enabling content owners to derive additional revenue from their national content by making it more relevant to local audiences. In addition, by avoiding artifact-inducing MPEG decode/re-encode concatenation, the original MPEG stream picture quality is preserved to the greatest extent possible.

"We are very pleased that Paxson has once again chosen Leitch equipment to support its transition to digital," said Tim Thorsteinson, president of Leitch, which is part of the Broadcast Communications Division of Harris Corporation. "Paxson has relied on our Videotek(R) Signal Quality Manager(R) for remote monitoring and quality assurance for several years, so the company's decision to standardize on our DTP(TM) not only represents a significant sale for our company, but also reinforces our continuing relationship with the largest television station group owner in the U.S."

About Paxson Communications Corporation

Paxson Communications Corporation owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television station group. Paxson reaches approximately 91 million U.S. television households via nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems. For more information, visit Paxson's website at http://www.paxson.com/ .

About Leitch

An industry leader for more than 30 years, Leitch provides high- performance, multi-format solutions for professional digital video. Through its two business segments -- Digital Media and Infrastructure -- Leitch offers standard-definition/high-definition (SD/HD) products and systems that enable media companies to streamline workflow from production through transmission. Leitch offers a comprehensive, award-winning portfolio of processors, routers, servers, graphics and editing solutions, master control and branding systems, digital signage, network monitoring and control software, and test and measurement instruments, along with premium customer support. Leitch is part of the Broadcast Communications Division of Harris Corporation. http://www.leitch.com/

About Harris Corporation

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/ .

Source: Harris Corporation

CONTACT: Laura Whitaker, Leitch Corporate Communications,
+1-408-782-1201, or laura.whitaker@leitch.com; or Leslie J. Monreal, Paxson
Communications Corp., +1-561-682-4134, or lesliemonreal@paxson.com

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

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