World Cup 2010: DirecTV Latin America Goes Interactive with Harris Technology

DirecTV Latin America successfully used Harris multi-image technology and core processing gear to enable an interactive mosaic channel with cascading windows for live, multi-angle soccer coverage from South Africa.

The Mundial Mix channel was on the air from June 11-July 11 and allowed DirecTV Latin America subscribers to watch multiple views of a game on a single screen.  Views included main view, highlights, tactical (entire field), team A, and team B.  Viewers could also interactively select a window to tune into the game on its regular channel.

DirecTV Latin America used Harris QVM6800+C multi-image processing modules to build the five-view composite on one channel.  While only five picture-in-picture (PIP) inputs were activated, the QVM6800+C modules are capable of supplying up to eight inputs for a single display.

“The broadcast of multiple sources on a single screen imitates a multiviewer in the home, which provided DirecTV Latin America subscribers and soccer fans with a unique and interactive viewing experience,” says Harris Morris, president, Harris Broadcast Communications.  “The integration of these modules into DirecTV Latin America’s existing core processing frames allows them to take advantage of the cascading window functionality for future mosaic channels if they choose.”

DirecTV Latin America installed the modules within Harris 6800+ modular core processing frames.  The 2RU, 6800+ modular frames provide 20 slots, allowing broadcasters and production professionals to reduce frame counts and minimize rack space in core video processing systems.  DirecTV Latin America configured the QVM6800+ modules within the 6800+ frames using Harris CCS Navigator^™ control software.