PRISM provides precise and efficient waveform monitoring with an extensive array of applications to create a custom solution suited to meet specific challenges.

Get a perspective, from both the Broadcast Bridge and Telestream, on how to keep live and studio IP media streams reliable

Understand why Studio Hamburg has found PRISM to be an invaluable technical measurement instrument for their SDI and SMPTE 2110 installations.

Monitoring by Exception and Seamlessly Transitioning to IP Diagnostics Tools Keeps Live and Studio Production Streams Flowing

Provides insight into maintaining IP-based systems at peak efficiency and reliability, delivering uninterrupted, high-quality video, audio, and caption/data streams to viewers.

Diagnosing and Resolving Faults in an Operational IP Video Network: a comprehensive guide

Illustration showing all components included with this option.

Illustration showing all components included with this option.

Human color sensitivity is extraordinary, but perception is subjective. It’s hard for your brain to track millions of colors when they must be constrained to different gamuts. Waveform monitors like the Telestream PRISM provide the tools to let you do it objectively.

This guide shares the details of Telestream’s innovation in software-defined waveform monitors

This paper discusses the migration to IP and its impact on those across the broadcast chain, including content producers, broadcasters, content providers, content distributors, equipment manufacturers, and those concerned with live production workflows.

Get the white paper titled “Meeting Postproduction Challenges In a Transformed Video Marketplace: Expanded Workloads & Accelerated Schedules Call for New Solutions.”

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Streamline your media operations as part of your remote working and disaster recovery plans. Read a short article that provides suggestions on tested workflows that enable more remote productions and state-of-the-art 4K HDR programming to OTT platforms for you to deliver a more engaging experience for your viewers without breaking the bank.

High dynamic range (HDR) and wide color gamut (WC) combined with 4K resolution and progressive frame rates have catapulted broadcast television to new levels of immersive experience for the viewer. As HDR and WCG are relatively new to television, we need to both understand their application and how we monitor them to enable us to surpass the levels of quality and immersive experience cinematographers demand. If you would like to understand and build HDR workflows or you need to get the best out of HDR, download HDR for Cinematography: An Essential Guide from The Broadcast Bridge.

The guide provides practical insight and shares how HDR workflows are addressed in broadcast workflows through real-life examples. Due to the differing screen brightness, comparing SDR and HDR images may not be as straightforward as it may first seem. A working solution to address this is demonstrated.

Next generation SDI and IP waveform monitor for engineering and production environments.

When trying to upgrade the firmware of the instrument, I receive the following error: “Cannot establish connection: Connection timed out”. But I have entered the correct IP address of the instrument and I can ping the instrument. What could be wrong?

Make sure that the instrument is in upgrade mode. On the instrument itself, navigate to Config > Utilities > System Upgrade > Network Upgrade and select “continue” by pushing the ”SEL” button. Now the upgrade program will be able to interface with the instrument and commence upgrade procedure.

When trying to upgrade the firmware of the instrument, I receive the following error: “Cannot establish connection: Connection timed out”. But I have entered the correct IP address of the instrument and I can ping the instrument. What could be wrong?

Make sure that the instrument is in upgrade mode. On the instrument itself, navigate to Config > Utilities > System Upgrade > Network Upgrade and select “continue” by pushing the ”SEL” button. Now the upgrade program will be able to interface with the instrument and commence upgrade procedure.

When trying to upgrade the firmware of the instrument, I receive the following error: “Cannot establish connection: Connection timed out”. But I have entered the correct IP address of the instrument and I can ping the instrument. What could be wrong?

Make sure that the instrument is in upgrade mode. On the instrument itself, navigate to Config > Utilities > System Upgrade > Network Upgrade and select “continue” by pushing the ”SEL” button. Now the upgrade program will be able to interface with the instrument and commence upgrade procedure.

When trying to upgrade the firmware of the instrument, I receive the following error: “Cannot establish connection: Connection timed out”. But I have entered the correct IP address of the instrument and I can ping the instrument. What could be wrong?

Make sure that the instrument is in upgrade mode. On the instrument itself, navigate to Config > Utilities > System Upgrade > Network Upgrade and select “continue” by pushing the ”SEL” button. Now the upgrade program will be able to interface with the instrument and commence upgrade procedure.

Why is the throughput on a 1GB interface set to 940 Mbps?

It is 940 Mbps to accommodate the UDP and TCP overhead for the wrapper around the MPEG payload on a 1 GB interface.

Why would Sentry report discontinuities but not show any associated reason codes for the error?

Not every discontinuity (CC error) will cause a problem in an ES. For example, if a TS packet was dropped in the middle of a video slice, Sentry wouldn’t notice this as long as it can still detect the ‘start code’ progression in the video stream. We do more exhaustive analysis of I-Frames, but a missing packet in a P or B picture slice might very well not cause a video problem for us (thus no reason code).

What fields / parameters contribute to making calculations for the QoE score?

• Audio Buffer Overrun
  Buffer timing violation causing buffer overrun and is greater than or equal to 100ms.
• Audio Buffer Underrun
  Buffer timing violation causing buffer underrun is equal to 0 seconds, meaning that the buffer is empty.
• Audio Packet Loss
  When there are CC errors or incomplete audio frames are received, but the dropout is small (less than 200 msec)
• Audio PID Dropout
  When there is a dropout (may or may not be accompanied by a CC error) and dropout duration greater than 200 msec.
• Audio Syntax Error
  When there are no CC errors but there is an error in audio frame decode.

Why do I see program status graphs on the Sentry GUI but not on the Medius GUI for the same time period for a certain program?

It is possible that the system time on both units are off by a number of hours (without a time zone difference).

Once you set both units to the correct time in their respective time zones, graphs will now populate on the Medius GUI and match the Sentry thereafter.

This manual contains information about the operation, functions, and features of the MTSA MTSA-HW and MTSA-PC products.

This manual contains information about the operation, functions, and features of the MTS4EA MPEG Analyzer as part of the MTSA software suite.

This manual contains information about the operation, functions, and features of the PQA Picture Quality Analyzer as part of the MTSA software suite.

What is the definition error 1.4: Continuity_count_error?

The formal definition of this error is given in the TR 101 290: Measurement guidelines for DVB systems document that is published by ETSI. A brief summary of this error is given below. For more information about this error or the test that generates it, please consult ETSI TR 101 290.

Every MPEG transport stream packet has a continuity count value (0-15) embedded within it. These values are required to be sent in order (0, then 1, then 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, back to 0 and so on). The continuity count error indicates that one of three possible errors has occurred with regards to the continuity counter values:

• Case 1: A continuity counter value was skipped in the sequence of packets. For example: if the continuity counter values received in order were …1, 2, 3, 5, 6… then this error would be reported because the value of 4 was skipped.
• Case 2: Continuity counter values appeared out of order. For example: if the continuity counter values received in order were …1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6… then this error would be reported because the values of 3 and 4 arrived in the wrong order.
• Case 3: The same continuity counter value arrived twice in a row. For example: if the continuity counter values received in order were …1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6… then this error would be reported because the value of 3 appeared twice in a row.

How does MPEG-2 defines mux rate?

MPEG-2 defines mux rate as the combined rate of all video and audio elementary stream packets common to one program. This rate also includes the VBI and sub-picture private stream data, which MPEG treats as a private stream type. Mux rate is always specified as 10.08 Mbps because this is the rate at which user data arrives into the track buffer.

How are datagrams transmitted using multiprotocol encapsulation?

The data broadcast specification profile for multiprotocol encapsulation supports data broadcast services that require the transmission of datagrams of communication protocols via DVB compliant broadcast networks. The transmission of datagrams according to the multiprotocol encapsulation specification is done by encapsulating the datagrams in DSM-CC sections, which are compliant with the MPEG-2 private sector format.

What is the definition error 2.3a: PCR_repetition_error?

The formal definition of this error is given in the TR 101 290: Measurement guidelines for DVB systems document that is published by ETSI. A brief summary of this error is given below. For more information about this error or the test that generates it, please consult ETSI TR 101 290.

MPEG transport streams must periodically contain PCR (program clock register) values which are a snapshot of the encoders' program clock at the time that PCR value was generated. These values are then used on the decoder end to reconstruct the 27MHz system clock and ensure that the stream is kept in sync.

A PCR_repetition_error (2.3a) occurs when PCR values are not sent quickly enough. The MPEG standard requires that PCR values be sent no less than every 40 milliseconds. If more than 40ms elapses since the last PCR values then a PCR_repetition_error will be reported.

What is the definition error 2.3b: PCR_discontinuity_error?

The formal definition of this error is given in the TR 101 290: Measurement guidelines for DVB systems document that is published by ETSI. A brief summary of this error is given below. For more information about this error or the test that generates it, please consult ETSI TR 101 290.

MPEG transport streams must periodically contain PCR (program clock register) values which are a snapshot of the encoders' program clock at the time that PCR value was generated. These values are then used on the decoder end to reconstruct the 27MHz system clock and ensure that the stream is kept in sync.

A PCR_discontinuity_error (2.3b) occurs when two sequential PCR values differ from each other by more than 100 milliseconds without the discontinuity_indicator flag being set in the stream. A difference of more than 100ms is allowed, but only if the discontinuity_indicator flag is set, otherwise this error will be reported.

What is the definition error 2.4: PCR_accuracy_error?

The formal definition of this error is given in the TR 101 290: Measurement guidelines for DVB systems document that is published by ETSI. A brief summary of this error is given below. For more information about this error or the test that generates it, please consult ETSI TR 101 290.

MPEG transport streams must periodically contain PCR (program clock register) values which are a snapshot of the encoders' program clock at the time that PCR value was generated. These values are then used on the decoder end to reconstruct the 27MHz system clock and ensure that the stream is kept in sync.

A PCR _accuracy_error occurs when a transmitted PCR value differs from what is expected by more than 500 nanoseconds. The expected PCR value is calculated using an extremely stable internal clock in the test device and previous PCR values. The calculated PCR is then compared to the transmitted PCR values to check for accuracy. It is important to note that most receivers do not contain very accurate clocks and therefore can be severely affected by this error.

What is the definition error 2.3: PCR_error?

The formal definition of this error is given in the TR 101 290: Measurement guidelines for DVB systems document that is published by ETSI. A brief summary of this error is given below. For more information about this error or the test that generates it, please consult ETSI TR 101 290.

The PCR error (2.3) is a logical OR of the PCR_repetition_error (2.3a) and the PCR_discontinuity_indicator_error (2.3b).

MPEG transport streams must periodically contain PCR (program clock register) values which are a snapshot of the encoders' program clock at the time that PCR value was generated. These values are then used on the decoder end to reconstruct the 27MHz system clock and ensure that the stream is kept in sync.

A PCR_repetition_error (2.3a) occurs when PCR values are not sent quickly enough. The MPEG standard requires that PCR values be sent no less than every 40 milliseconds. If more than 40ms elapses since the last PCR values then a PCR_repetition_error will be reported.

A PCR_discontinuity_error (2.3b) occurs when two sequential PCR values differ from each other by more than 100 milliseconds without the discontinuity_indicator flag being set in the stream. A difference of more than 100ms is allowed, but only if the discontinuity_indicator flag is set, otherwise this error will be reported.

What type of connector do the RF input cards on the MTM400 or MTS400/430 use?

All of the RF input cards for the MTM400 and the MTS400/430 series instruments use standard F-type connectors for the RF input. These cards then demodulate the RF signal to ASI which is looped back into the ASI input port on these instruments using 75-ohm BNC connectors.

How do I identify the different MTS400+ MTS430+ or MTM400 optical SFP modules for their specific applications?

The SFP optical-to-electrical modules used in the MTS430 are not readily identifiable by a Tektronix part number. Instead, you will need to use the vendor part numbers, printed on small labels on the module. Two or three different vendor numbers have been qualified for each application style. They are:

How is the timestamp created by the time-stamping feature in CaptureVu?

The timestamp values are created from the internal system clock and have no relationship to the MPEG data, MPT or PCR values.

Does the CaptureView software support ASF transport streams (Microsoft proprietary transport stream for VC-1 elementary streams)?

The ASF format is more of a wrapper around VC-1 content than a transport stream. It does not have the typical characteristics of a transport stream such as SI or PSI tables. Therefore Tektronix transport stream analysis tools will not know what to do with it.

The MTS4EA elementary stream analyzer software however does recognize ASF files and is capable of extracting the VC-1 elementary streams contained within and analyzing them. Still though, this does not perform any ASF compliance verification.

After un-installing Java+ the transport stream compliance analyzer (TSCA) stopped working+ what happened?

The transport stream compliance analyzer requires Sun Java v1.4.2 or higher in order to run properly. If you have un-installed Sun Java for some reason then the TSCA will stop working. To correct this problem, simply download the latest version of Sun Java from www.java.com and re-install it.

Why are null packets important in MPEG?

Null packets, packets of "stuffing," carry no data but are necessary to maintain a constant bit rate with a variable payload. Null packets always have a PID of 8191 (all 1s).

Where do compression artifacts come from?

Compression artifacts are small errors that result in the decom­pressed signal when a digital signal is compressed with a high compression ratio. These errors are known as "artifacts," or unwanted defects. The artifacts may resemble noise (or edge "busyness") or may cause parts of the picture, particularly fast moving por­tions, to be displayed with the movement distorted or missing.

What is transform coding in MPEG?

a) A method of encoding a picture by dividing each picture into sub-pictures, performing a linear transformation on each sub-picture and then quantizing and coding the resulting coefficients.

b) The conversion of a signal from one domain to another, e.g., the conversion of two-dimensional picture samples into the frequency domain by means of DCT, which is used in MPEG.

What is vestigial sideband modulation used for in MPEG?

Vestigial sideband modulation (VSB) is an advanced digital modulation scheme used for terrestrial wired and over-the-air broadcasting. 8 VSB allows transport of 19.3 Mbps of usable data after forward error correction. 8 VSB in an ATSC system implies eight discrete amplitude levels.

What is the SCPC transmission advantage in MPEG?

Single channel per carrier, or SCPC, is a type of transmission where only a part of the available transponder is used for the signal, allowing the satellite operator to sell the remaining space on the transponder to other uplinkers. SCPC is typically used for feeds rather than for direct programming. The advantage of SCPC over MCPC is that the signals uplinked to the same transponder can be transmitted up to the satellite from different locations.

What is the modulation technique used for digital terrestrial TV in Europe+ Japan and Australia?

Orthogonal frequency domain multiplex (OFDM) was first promoted in the early 1990s as a wireless LAN technology. OFDM's spread spectrum technique distributes the data over a large number of carriers that are spaced apart at precise frequencies. This spacing provides the "orthogonality" in this technique which prevents the demodulators from seeing other frequencies than their own. Coded OFDM (COFDM) adds forward error correction to the OFDM method.

What is the interleaver function in MPEG?

The RS-protected transport packets are reshuffled byte by byte by the 12-channel interleaver. Due to this reshuffle what were neighboring bytes are now separated by at least one protected transport packet. That is, they are at least 204 bytes apart from each other. The purpose of this is burst error control for defective data blocks.

What is the discrete cosine transform (DCT) in MPEG?

a) Used in JPEG and the MPEG, H.261, and H.263 video compression algorithms, DCT techniques allow images to be represented in the frequency rather then time domain. Images can be represented in the frequency domain using less information than in the time domain.

b) A mathematical transform that can be perfectly undone and which is useful in image compression. c) Many encoders perform a DCT on an eight-by-eight block of image data as the first step in the image compression process. The DCT converts the video data from the time domain into the frequency domain. The DCT takes each block, which is a 64-point discrete signal, and breaks it into 64 basis signals. The output of the operation is a set of 64 basis-signal amplitudes, called DCT coefficients. These coefficients are unique for each input signal. The DCT provides a basis for compression because most of the coefficients for a block will be zero (or close to zero) and do not need to be encoded.