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biz.yahoo.com
Tektronix Unveils First System to Measure the Quality of Compressed Digital Video
New Technology Brings Manufacturers and Broadcasters Closer to an All Digital Environment
AMSTERDAM, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Tektronix, Inc. (NYSE:TEK) today announced the first commercially available system designed to measure the quality of compressed digital video images, such as those associated with satellite or High Definition Television (HDTV). The new product, the PQA200 Picture Quality Analysis System, marks another milestone in the video industry's transition to the digital world with a fast, practical and verifiable tool to analyze compressed digital video.
Without the ability to measure and test the quality of compressed images, the effort to deploy digital broadcasting systems has been handicapped. Now, for the first time ever, television equipment manufacturers and content providers will be able to consistently and objectively verify picture quality. This will aid organizations that need to comply with the U.S. federal directives for advanced television standards for HDTV.
For most consumers, the digital revolution will mean more viewing choices, and higher quality images. But, for the makers of digital transmission and production equipment, compression poses a difficult measurement challenge. The revolution means a transition from traditional video measurements to a whole new testing methodology.
Currently, picture quality of compressed digital video is measured using ad hoc methods or costly, time-consuming human viewer trials that take weeks or months to complete. Tektronix' PQA200 is the first in a line of products designed to provide objective measurements that strongly correlate with human viewer trials. The product and testing methodology does this by using a human vision system model based on decades of research from the Sarnoff Corporation -- a leading communications and television research group.
``This objective measurement capability paves the way to a more rapid deployment of compressed digital video in the television industry,'' said Dan Terpack, president of Tektronix Measurement Business Division. ``The picture quality demands of content providers and viewers can be met while leveraging the available bandwidth more effectively.''
Tektronix' PQA200 can be used in a variety of applications. Manufacturers of television equipment such as set-top devices and system encoders/decoders will use the PQA200 in research and development to refine product design, and in manufacturing to characterize and test new products.
Content providers, such as producers of television advertising, and developers of programs for TV news, sports, movies and feature films, are very sensitive to picture quality and may require that their programming be delivered with a specified level of picture quality. As a result, cable, wireless, and network providers, common carriers and terrestrial broadcasters must be prepared to document and maintain specified levels of picture quality as compressed digital video gains widespread use.
Additionally, satellite and DBS system operators, who typically send from four to ten compressed channels via the bandwidth previously filled by one uncompressed channel, may use the PQA200 to objectively optimize bit rates.
The PQA200 incorporates unique, task-specific hardware that reduces analysis time from hours to seconds. A single numeric value of picture quality called Picture Quality Rating (PQR) is reported. In addition, an animated map, whose intensity is related to the perceived differences aids in the evaluation and optimization of the compressed image.
The Picture Quality Analysis System offers a breakthrough solution to the problem of assuring consistent, high-quality digital images. Makers of digital television equipment as well as set-top-box makers will now be able to confidently measure and ensure their products will deliver images of consistent quality.
Pricing and Availability
The PQA200 is U.S. list priced at $49,900 and will be available in Q1/1998. An analog NTSC/PAL input and output option will also be available for $7,600.
About Tektronix
Tektronix is a portfolio of measurement, color printing and video and networking businesses dedicated to applying technology excellence to customer challenges. Tektronix is headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon and has operations in 23 countries outside the United States. Founded in 1946, the company had revenues of $1.94 billion in fiscal 1997.
SOURCE: Tektronix, Inc. |
