Test Solutions for next generation video networks

Charlie Dunn general manager, Video Product Line, Tektronix, stated: "As IBC Show attendees will be able to see first-hand, we're delivering the monitoring solutions the production, post-production, and content distribution industry needs to keep pace. This year, we're demonstrating numerous new capabilities and enhancements vital to our customers as they attempt to absorb and implement new standards like SMPTE ST 2110, become more efficient at producing HDR content, or roll out new streaming live/VOD and OTT services."

fuboTV streams with Tektronix’s Sentry product line

Working with the hypercompetitive multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) space as a disruptive OTT provider means subscriber retention is critical. Month-to-month contracts, no requirement on hardware rentals, and constantly updated offerings from competitors necessitate the need for high-quality performance and delivery of your feed at all times. Reportedly that's why fuboTV relies on Quality of Experience (QoE) monitoring from Tektronix solutions. Sentry simplifies monitoring across today's complex environments by offering visibility into streaming content quality along with in-depth analysis and compliance reporting for OTT/multiscreen services with global scalability.

"Pushing cutting-edge content to our customers is huge for us," said Billy Romero, Video Engineering and Operations Manager at fuboTV. "That's where Tektronix comes into play. As we moved into the 4K HDR10 level of broadcasting we used Sentry to evaluate exactly what we're offering to customers. It's just so versatile. We've actually used it not only to analyse the QoE of our service, but also the CDN performance overall."

Enhanced cloud video stream solutions

As cloud-based streaming is shifting towards mass consumption, Tektronix offers enhanced live and VOD cloud video monitoring solutions with Aurora and Sentry. These enhancements give providers visibility and control to reduce the risk of a poor customer experience or worse, churn. Aurora file-based QC system supports Amazon Web Services (AWS) workflows and Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) for deployment in cloud based workflows, and can now be used to validate 4K-HDR content, an increasingly important component of streamed video. 

To help operators to scale costs as they evolve, Tektronix has introduced new cloud based pricing options that include subscription based pricing per stream and on-demand options for live and VOD quality assurance.

With TekMOS, Sentry now provides picture quality ratings that closely correlate to the viewers experience. TekMOS, uses machine learning techniques in a non-reference picture quality analysis algorithm that can be run on multiple streams concurrently. It generates a Mean Opinion Score (MOS) for the content along with reasons for not achieving a perfect score. This reduces the guess work involved in diagnosis and enables quick and effective corrective action. TekMOS scores can be viewed through graphical displays or extracted using an API. 

Sentry ABR includes CMAF support– An ABR standard that allows streaming providers to encode their HLS and Dash media in one common format vs multiple formats. CMAF reduces the number of streaming variations needed to deliver services. Sentry ABR also provides dynamic ad insertion analysis with programmatic control for OTT streaming. This feature ensures ads are correctly placed within the ABR stream and play back with the same quality as other content. 

IP tools for hybrid environments

Over the past year, Tektronix has expanded its PRISM hybrid IP/SDI monitoring line with the addition of a 10G operations unit, integrated audio, and dual-screen extension capabilities, as well as a 25G upgrade path for all PRISM products. The PRISM platform now boasts comprehensive monitoring capabilities across both operations and engineering workflows and arrives packed with familiar editing and live production features like Waveform, Vector, and Diamond.

Tektronix has continued to see increasing demand for tools to help TV broadcasters implement IP networks. To support this transition, Tektronix plans to, as standard, include all the necessary connectivity needed for SMPTE ST 2022-6/7, ST 2110, and PTP (ST 2059) on the latest additions to the Tektronix PRISM family. 

PRISM is a Media analysis instrument and toolset that allows customers to easily identify, select and analyse content carried in multiple IP streams, ensure presence of PTP messages, quickly debug IP systems in hybrid environments, and perform multiple quality and timing checks. See full press release.