1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 [No. 33-94138] of Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc. of our report
dated January 21, 1997, appearing on page 36 of the Annual Report to
Shareholders which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 


/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
 
San Jose, California
March 28, 1997