Tonight there will be a first at Churchill Downs as a result of technology and efforts provided by Harmonic, Newtec, Roberts Communications and Churchill Downs. Roberts Communications Network LLC, in conjunction with Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, has launched the world’s first HD simulcast broadcast in horse racing history. This service is powered by Harmonic's market-leading DiviCom® MV 500 MPEG-2 HD encoders and Newtec's Azimuth AZ110 broadcast satellite modulators. While the Kentucky Derby has taken place continuously since 1875 at Churchill Downs, the technology currently used is the latest. First turn of the Kentucky Derby race, 1995 CREDIT: "First turn of the Kentucky Derby race, 1995." Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs, for "Churchill Downs," a Kentucky Local Legacies project

At the recent Churchill Downs Fall Meet, Churchill began presenting live horse racing in full 16:9 HD format. The on-screen graphics and racing information are also presented in HD, allowing for additional and enhanced wagering information for both the on-track and simulcasting customer. Roberts Communications Network LLC is initially providing the service to select off-track betting sites across the country.

Harmonic remains committed to MPEG-2 technology, and continues to enhance the capabilities of MPEG-2 solutions such as the MV 500 encoder, providing service providers with best-in-class solutions for delivering superior quality video.

“The introduction of HD broadcasts for live horse racing is an important step in further enhancing the experience for customers at the track or watching via simulcast,” said Todd Roberts, President/CEO at Roberts Communications Network LLC. “Harmonic and Newtec offered us an ideal choice for HD distribution of live racing, with outstanding picture quality, performance and reliability.” Roberts selected the Newtec Broadcast Satellite Modulator AZ110, and uses DVB-S2 for the transmission of the HD MPEG-2 signal. The combination of HD and DVB-S2 is the logical choice to minimize satellite capacity for a full HD feed.

“We are pleased to partner with Roberts Communications Network and Harmonic. Satellite communications technology is at the heart of Roberts’ daily operations, and we have been able to provide them with a solid solution without the need for extra satellite capacity,” said Serge Van Herck, CEO at Newtec. “Our satellite communications products are the perfect building blocks for Roberts’ network; they provide reliability, efficiency, flexibility, and scalability.” Harmonic’s MV 500 MPEG-2 HD encoder, selected by leading broadcast and cable service providers, offers powerful compression, proven reliability and advanced features including LookAhead, integrated noise reduction and support for IP-based statistical multiplexing.

“Fast-moving horse races present some of the most difficult content to compress efficiently while providing superior picture quality. Harmonic remains committed to MPEG-2 technology, and we continue to enhance the capabilities of our MPEG-2 solutions such as the MV 500 encoder. As a result, we are able to offer video service providers best-in-class solutions for delivering top notch video,” said Nimrod Ben-Natan, Vice President of Product Marketing, Solutions and Strategy for Harmonic Inc.