1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-74599) and
the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-94138, 333-38025, 333-44265 and
333-65051) of Harmonic Inc. of our report dated January 20, 1999, except as to
Note 14, which is as of March 15, 1999, which appears on page 29 of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K/A.
 
                                          PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
 
San Jose, California
April 6, 1999