Direct-2-Edge is Harmonic's Cable IPTV solution, allowing operators to cost-effectively deliver video over DOCSIS in existing networks.

Harmonic’s D2E solution can be used to deploy IPTV over cable HFC infrastructure in a cost-effective way. The advantages of IPTV video delivery include great flexibility in the choice of target devices and a highly customized and personalized user experience. In addition, targeting IP set-top boxes and PCs helps in retaining subscriber base, preventing churn to over-the-top viewership. The deployment of such infrastructure may also be leveraged to introduce new sources of revenue, such as affordable targeted advertising to the PC.

Using D2E to deliver Cable IPTV dramatically reduces the cost per downstream QAM, making a business case for cable IPTV possible for the first time. D2E leverages Harmonic’s expertise in video delivery, QAM and RF to deliver reliable and scalable video streaming applications based on the standard DOCSIS protocol.

D2E is especially advantageous for Hybrid MSOs, who own xDSL/FTTx networks in addition to HFC. With D2E, these operators can use the same video and service delivery platform to deliver a uniform service to all subscribers, while reusing most of the video processing and delivery components in the headend.

The data plane aspect of D2E uses Harmonic's award-winning NSG 9000™ universal edgeQAM to encapsulate video into DOCSIS-compliant streams and upconvert it to RF. D2E Manager, the control plane element of the solution, manages such functions as the allocation of flows to EdgeQAM devices and the channel changes required by the cable modems to receive the services.