ATLANTA -- While it's still early days for the new High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard, Arris is unveiling an encoder that simulcasts both HEVC and Advanced Video Coding (AVC) streams.

Arris Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS) said the new SE-7000 encoder, introduced at the SCE Cable-Tec Expo show here this week, can also handle integrated low-resolution picture-in-picture video. In addition, the device supports IP and baseband serial-digital-interface inputs.

Based on the former Motorola's SE-6000 encoder platform, the new SE-7000 is designed to be a transition product for pay-TV providers that are considering HEVC deployments for next-gen 4K video. Also known as H.265, the HEVC compression standard promises to cut the amount of bandwidth needed for video streams by as much as 50 percent.

"Service and content providers are focused on delivering HEVC this coming year, as bandwidth demands continue and UltraHD content services become more widely available," says Bruce McClelland, president of network and cloud global services at Arris. "We are working with our customers and are introducing the SE-7000 to provide the efficiency and performance they need to truly deliver customers their media, their way."

Several software and chip vendors are also touting HEVC capabilities in 2013, although real-world deployments of the standard have been limited so far. At IBC in Amsterdam last month, satellite TV provider Sky Italia said it's taking advantage of HEVC capabilities in the ViBE VS7000 encoding/transcoding platform from Thomson Video Networks . Sky Italia plans to trial an ultra HD video service using the new compression standard. (See Cisco Makes a Splash at IBC.)

At Cable-Tec Expo, Arris also announced two unrelated new customer service solutions, ServAssure Wi-Fi and WorkAssure Mobile. The first is designed to help customer service representatives with WiFi installation and support, while the second is a workflow management HTML5 app for cable field technicians.

— Mari Silbey, special to Light Reading Cable