VoIP & IPTV
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      IPTV Testing with VeEX IPTV Explorer

      Some Ethernet oriented test sets have the capability to test traditional IPTV video services, beyond just testing the Ethernet link performance. In VeEX products, this optional test feature is called IPTV Explorer

      IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a specialized system designed to deliver television content, including both video and audio, over a dedicated and managed internet network typically provided by an internet service provider. Unlike general video streaming, IPTV utilizes a more controlled delivery method that operates on a private network, allowing for a viewing experience that mirrors the traditional TV channel lineup. Accessing IPTV content generally requires a dedicated set-top box (STB), which contributes to a more consistent quality of service due to the exclusive nature of the network used.

      In contrast, modern "video streaming," commonly referred to as over-the-top (OTT) services, encompasses a wider range of methods for delivering video content over the internet. This includes platforms such as Netflix, YouTube, and various streaming applications, which may rely on the open public internet infrastructure. As a result, the quality of video streaming could vary based on the user's internet connection.

      The 'IPTV Explorer' Test Feature

      Traditional IPTV Service Providers have to ensure the transport layer and MPEG payload are both within defined limits, because simply checking packet loss, jitter and related impairments of the Ethernet distribution network is not enough to evaluate the quality of the IPTV content carried in the upper protocol layers.

      The IPTV Explorer option extracts the MPEG payloads from the Ethernet streams, decodes and displays them to check transport and programming content so that QoS and QoE can all be assessed.

      Media-Stream-Based Algorithm

      A proprietary and sophisticated algorithm analyzes the IP stream to assess and derive video quality and improve accuracy of quality scores.

      • Frame structure/GoP detection – Identifies I, B, and P frames in both unscrambled and encrypted video streams, to determine GoP length and the rate and distribution of packet loss in each frame
      • Per-frame quality computation – Quality in each frame using the frame type, frame size, codec type, bandwidth, and packet loss data. For P and B frames, tester models the loss propagated from earlier reference (I or P) frames
      • Bandwidth estimation – the bandwidth used by certain types of video frames is analyzed to estimate the quantization level applied by the video encoder

      Program Identifier (PID) Statistics

      PID statistics provide critical information about the MPEG transport stream. The bandwidth and packets associated with each individual stream are listed allowing the technician to check the video, audio and data content and to check for any “illegal” PIDs.

      Transmission Quality Score

      QoS parameters are evaluated and presented in an intuitive manner so that technicians unfamiliar with MPEG signals are able to make accurate decisions to ensure maximum service availability.

      • Audio and Video MOS scores associated with the particular video/audio codec used and transmission quality are reported
      • VSTQ (Video Service Transmission Quality), is a codec independent scoring that rates the ability of the network to reliably transport video
      • ETSI TR 101 290 metrics are good indicator of transport associated errors

      IPTV Image Viewer

      The IPTV viewer decodes un-encrypted streams and can be used as a quick channel identifier to verify PID assignment.

      IPTV Testing Specifications

      Mode: Monitor, STB emulation

      Stream configuration: Unicast, multicast, IP address, Port
      number

      • Analyze up to 8 streams simultaneously
      • IGMP and RTSP signaling support

      Codecs: MPEG2, MPEG4 (Part2) and MPEG4 Part10 (H.264)

      Probe function with streams auto-detection

      IPTV image viewer for channel identification (does not decode encrypted streams)

      Stream Analysis

      • PIDs count
      • PID MAP
      • Transport Error count
      • Data rates: Video, Audio, Data (Bandwidth and Packet Counts)

      Video Analysis

      • MOS_Video, Video Service Transmission Quality (VSTQ), Estimated Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (EPSNR ATIS)
      • I/B/P Frame statistics (Bandwidth, # Frames Received, Lost, Impaired)

      Audio Analysis

      • MOS_Audio (Mean Opinion Score)

      TR 101 290 Metrics

      • Sync loss, sync byte error, PAT/PAT2 error, Continuity error, PMT/PMT2 error, PID error, transport error, CRC error, PCR discontinuity, PCR accuracy error

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