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    <periodOfReport>2021-02-15</periodOfReport>

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    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000851310</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HARMONIC INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HLIT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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            <rptOwnerCik>0001504670</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Kalra Sanjay</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2590 ORCHARD PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN JOSE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95131</rptOwnerZipCode>
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            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
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            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP and CFO</officerTitle>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares of common stock were acquired upon the vesting of restricted stock units on 2/15/2021. These restricted stock units were initially granted to the Reporting Person on 3/20/2018, and were identified on a Form 4 filed by the Reporting Person on 3/22/2018.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares of Harmonic Inc. common stock withheld by Harmonic Inc. to satisfy tax withholding obligation upon vesting of restricted stock units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These shares of common stock were acquired upon the vesting of restricted stock units on 2/15/2021. These restricted stock units were initially granted to the Reporting Person on 4/15/2019, and were identified on a Form 4 filed by the Reporting Person on 4/17/2019.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These shares of common stock were acquired upon the vesting of restricted stock units on 2/15/2021. These restricted stock units were initially granted to the Reporting Person on 2/24/2020, and were identified on a Form 4 filed by the Reporting Person on 2/26/2020.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of HLIT common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">One third (33.33%) of the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units are scheduled to vest on February 15, 2022, and approximately 8.33% of the remaining Restricted Stock Units will vest each three months thereafter, so as to be 100% vested on the third anniversary of the RSU Vesting Commencement Date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Laura Donovan
By Attorney-in-Fact Laura Donovan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-02-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
