OPTICOM premieres OTT streaming video quality testing at NAB Show 2014

PEVQ-S enables accurate Picture Quality Benchmarking and Optimization of OTT Video Services, by modelling Subjective Subscriber Experience

ERLANGEN, Germany and LAS VEGAS — OPTICOM, the German pioneer for Voice and Video Quality testing, premiers PEVQ-S, a novel analysis technique for OTT video quality measurement, benchmarking and optimization at the upcoming NAB Show in Las Vegas. Based on the accurate standardized picture quality analysis of PEVQ, a recognized international standard recommended by VQEG and ITU-T, PEVQ-S will leapfrog the shortcomings, currently observed for standardized video quality measurements when it comes to adaptive bitrate streaming OTT services.

PEVQ-S will be able to continuously analyze the network for the best video quality available (BVQA MOS), and thus report the potential for optimization along with the measurement of the currently viewed video quality (CVQ MOS). This unique feature defines PEVQ-S as a universal tool for testing and benchmarking OTT offerings, optimization of Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) for video streaming, as well as troubleshooting congested networks.

“For OTT video streaming, standardization of video quality measurements is lacking light years behind,” says Michael Keyhl, Founder and CEO of OPTICOM. He continues to explain: “We decided to try to leapfrog this gap and develop PEVQ-S in order to address the industry’s need for a comprehensive and accurate perceptual quality measure, which is able to model the Quality-of-Experience, as perceived by subscribers watching a movie over an OTT Video-on-Demand service.”

PEVQ-S pushes proven Standards-based perceptual measurement of video quality beyond the constraints of snapshots containing just a few seconds, allowing long-term quality characterisation of OTT video service delivery in IP networks. Today, Network providers don’t know what they are optimizing for, other than bandwidth. But what quality do you get at high bandwidth? And what quality do you actually need for your particular viewing device – Smartphone, Tablet or 50″ flat-screen TV? Now, PEVQ-S will give the answer. By performing measurement of the subjectively perceived video quality and comparing it to the best video quality available for the particular content in the network, CDN operators and OTT service providers have a powerful tool at hands to benchmark, optimize and thus monetize their service.

While OPTICOM will continue to strive for new standards developments, and also aim to maintain the highest degree of backward compatibility with established test standards, we are the first to present a comprehensive QoE test method for adaptive streaming that delivers both, today, to meet the demands of the industry’s fast pace.

OPTICOM will preview PEVQ-S in a private hospitality suite setting at the Wynn Las Vegas (by appointment, only).