scope:

This Recommendation describes a test methodology for use in controlled environments with human subjects. The scope of this Recommendation is currently limited to the following factors:

- test environment: controlled environment (see [ITU-T P.913], clause 8.1);

- video length: short videos (< 5 mins);

- simulated platform: video on demand (VOD);

- test devices: PCs or mobile phones.

The technical scope is limited to progressive download streaming and adaptive streaming type services (using reliable transport), which includes:

- over-the-top (OTT) services, as well as operator managed video services (over TCP);

- video over both mobile and fixed connections; - the protocols HTTP/TCP/IP, RTMP/TCP/IP, HLS/HTTP/TCP/IP, and DASH/HTTP/TCP/IP. This Recommendation is agnostic to the specific network delivery method (HTTP or DASH or other), with one exception that it assumes reliable delivery (TCP/IP) that results in apparent loading times (indicated with a "buffering" symbol to the user);

- video services typically using container formats such as Flash (FLV), MP4, WebM, 3GP, and MPEG2-TS. This test method is agnostic to the type of container format.

The methods described in this Recommendation may be used in other technical contexts where users browse content and have to wait for media playback (e.g., music streaming), but it has not been validated in such contexts.