NAB 2017: New Tektronix Analysis, Monitoring Tools Enable Transition to IP, 4K UHD With HDR

At NAB 2017, Tektronix (Booth# SU5006) will showcase end-to-end solutions that ensure content quality, signal integrity, and regulatory compliance while the industry is embracing the challenges of transitioning to next generation technologies and workflows. Visit the Tektronix booth to see the latest advances in Hybrid IP and SDI media analysis solutions, 4K/UHD with HDR video monitoring solutions, ABR monitoring for Live and On-Demand Content, and Video network monitoring solutions for Broadcasters.

Navigating Through IP Transition
The broadcast industry is undergoing a transition from an SDI infrastructure to an all-IP infrastructure that will ultimately impact all parts of the broadcast workflow. Engineering, IT and Operations teams responsible for the delivery of high quality content will require new tools and solutions that can operate seamlessly and reliably in a hybrid IP and SDI environment.

Tektronix PRISM offers real time monitoring and analysis of IP streams

Tektronix PRISM offers broadcast engineers and IT professionals real time monitoring and analysis of IP streams and the associated content, enabling early identification and diagnosis of network or content issues including intermittent loss of video, audio, or data content. New additions to the platform’s capabilities includes analysis of PTP synchronization timing, support for SMPTE ST 2022-7 redundancy, IGMP V3 and new API support for easy system integration into network management systems, and IP stream capture for deep dive analysis.

A fundamental requirement of a hybrid IP and SDI infrastructure will be the ability to synchronize the facility in a mixed packet and frame-accurate environment. Tektronix SPG8000A master sync and PTP grandmaster clock generator offers Precision Time Protocol (PTP) support for such a hybrid IP and SDI media infrastructure while PRISM offers detailed PTP timing measurement and analysis for system setup and maintenance.

Tektronix Waveform Monitors Drive 4K/UHD with HDR Content
With the increasing adoption of 4K/Ultra High Definition (UHD) with High Dynamic Range (HDR) displays by the consumers and the increasing drive from the content delivery companies to differentiate their product offerings, there is an increasing demand from content providers to produce more content with stunning 4K HDR picture quality.

Tektronix WFM8000 series 4K HDR waveform monitor

Tektronix WFM8000 series 4K HDR waveform monitors enable the creation of 4K HDR content starting from content acquisition in production trucks or studio applications to color grading or correction in post production applications, ensuring the highest level of content quality with images that deliver a highly realistic viewing experience.

HDR features include graticules specifically set up for 18% grey (20NITS) and 90% reflective white (100NITS) for easy adjustments to correct grey and white points of content which is essential in HDR applications. Other HDR capabilities include support for both SMPTE ST 2084 standard and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) as per the ARIB ST B-67 standard and support for a wide selection of camera log curves adopted by various camera manufacturers including S-Log, S-Log 2, S-Log 3, C-Log, and Log-C.

The new HDR capabilities can easily be added to existing WFM/WVR8000 series products with the purchase of Option PROD (a field upgradeable software-only option). Customers with valid software option key license for PROD can upgrade their WFM/WVR8000 instruments free-of-charge with the new firmware that can be downloaded from tek.com.

Live and On-Demand ABR Content
Ensuring the availability and quality of both live and file-based content is a critical task for content distributors moving to adaptive bit rate (ABR) delivery models.

Tektronix’ Sentry ABR and Aurora file-based QC solution

Tektronix’ Sentry ABR and Aurora file-based QC solutions provide Perceptual Video Quality (PVQ) measurements designed to detect video compression artifacts that affect the viewer’s quality of experience. By incorporating this proven PVQ technology from its Sentry family of video network monitors into Aurora, Tektronix provides an accurate measure of quality that is based on years of real-world evaluation. This offers content distributors a tight correlation between file-based and live stream monitoring technologies.

In addition to providing PVQ measurements, Tektronix’ Sentry ABR also gives an end-to-end view of the Quality of Experience (QoE) for all profiles by decrypting and decoding the live video and audio from the origin or caching servers for both encrypted and unencrypted content. With Digital Rights Management (DRM) support, Sentry ABR can decrypt each program from servers applying DRM and can view and report on the same content seen by subscribers.

Video Network Monitoring Solution for Broadcasters
As broadcasters continue to drive for increased workflow efficiency across their media operations, the need to make data driven decisions becomes critical. Knowing how the network and the associated operations are performing at the local station and group level is vital. Where possible, standard processes and tools should be employed to maximize investment and to negate the inefficiencies and inconsistencies associated with multiple local processes and methodologies.

Tektronix Sentry is a scalable monitoring and reporting solution that is capable of monitoring multiple programs simultaneously and in real time. Sentry can be used to provide alarming at the local broadcast station level to warn broadcasters of potential problems before they impact customers and provide engineering staff with diagnostic information to quickly remedy problems. Using a 90-day database of detailed operational data, Sentry can be used to provide operators, engineers, and senior group management with the relevant performance information they need to make informed decisions about their operations and network performance. Sentry is a single tool catering to the needs of multiple users.

At the entry level, Sentry can provide monitoring and alarming on TR 101 290 priority 1, 2 and 3 Quality of Service (QoS) of all content leaving the station. With simple software upgrades the Sentry capabilities can be extended to include Quality of Experience (QoE), Perceptual Video Quality (PVQ), CALM and regulatory compliance alarming, measurement and reporting. Sentry can monitor streams containing HEVC, H.264, JPEG2000 encoded content in either OTT or linear formats. Comprehensive connectivity solutions (IP, ASI, 8VSB, QAM, T/T2 and S/S2) make Sentry an ideal solution at almost any point in the network.