scope:

This standard specifies a method for estimating the video performance of a one-way video transmission system, as shown in Figure 1. The objective video performance estimator is defined for the end-to-end transmission quality between the two points shown in the figure. The estimation method is based on processing 8-bit digital component video as defined by ITU-R Recommendation BT.601 (henceforth abbreviated as Rec. 601).¹ The encoder shown in Figure 1 can utilize various compression methods (e.g., MPEG, H.263, NTSC, etc.). The transmission channel may be a simple pass-through for evaluation of a codec (encoder/decoder combination) or may include a concatenation of various compression methods and memory storage devices, but it is assumed that any digital transport involved is error-free. While the derivation of the objective quality estimator described in this standard considered error impairments (e.g., bit errors, dropped packets), independent testing results are not currently available to support the use of the estimator for systems with error impairments.

Purpose

This standard provides a video performance estimation method for one-way compressed video signals transported digitally on an error-free network or storage system. This video performance estimation method is for possible use with end-user systems, carriers, information and enhanced-service providers, and customer premise equipment, provided they introduce no significant error events (e.g., bit errors, dropped packets).

¹ This does not preclude implementation of the measurement method for one-way video transmission systems that utilize composite video input and outputs. Specification of the conversion between composite and component domains is not part of this standard. For example, SMPTE 170M specifies one method for performing this conversion for NTSC.