OPTICOM first to premiere Standards-based OTT Video Quality Testing at Mobile World Congress

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

ERLANGEN, Germany, Feb. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- OPTICOM, the German pioneer for Voice and Video Quality testing launches PEVQ-S, a novel analysis technique for OTT video quality measurement, benchmarking and optimization at the Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona. 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 analysis of OTT video service delivery in mobile networks. By modelling the human visual system, the new algorithm can track the Quality-of-Experience, as perceived by subscribers watching a movie over an OTT video service. Based on the accurate picture quality analysis technique of PEVQ, a recognized international standard recommended by VQEG and ITU-T J.247, PEVQ-S will also 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 drive testing of mobile networks, optimization of Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) for video streaming, as well as for benchmarking competitive OTT offerings.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140218/NY66850)

According to an increasing number of reports, OTT Video-on-demand (VoD) is straining the Internet's capacity, with news from the U.S. at peak hours 'more than 50% of the Internet data traffic is video'.

"As an OTT service subscriber, one might be tempted to cite Forrest Gump in turn, 'VoD is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get!' " says Michael Keyhl, Founder and CEO of OPTICOM. He continues to explain: "So what video quality are you going to pay for? 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 can 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."

"When listening to our customers, it became clear that established video quality measures are inappropriate for long-term OTT video quality characterization," explains Chris Schmidmer, CTO of OPTICOM. "After thorough requirement analysis we developed a novel hybrid architecture, which combines the high accuracy of PEVQ's perceptual, pixel-based, full-reference video quality measure with a light-weight client probe that allows for real-time implementation - even on Smartphones. While we continue to strive for new standards developments, and also aim to maintain the highest degree of backward compatibility with established test standards, OPTICOM 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 showcase PEVQ-S at stand 6M53 in Hall 6 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on 24-27 February, 2014. For more information, please refer to our Microsite www.pevq.com or contact us info@opticom.de.

About OPTICOM

OPTICOM GmbH is the leading vendor for Voice, Audio and Video quality measurement technology and OEM products for the analysis of mobile and IP based networks. Since its foundation as a spin-off from Fraunhofer's MP3 development team, the pioneers in perceptual quality testing have now provided six International world-class standards for audio-visual quality evaluation, including PESQ, PEAQ and PEVQ. After the great success with PESQ – the industry standard for telephony voice quality testing with more than 30.000 licensed installations worldwide – the experts from Germany have been the driving force behind POLQA, the new ITU-T Recommendation P.863 and designated PESQ successor. POLQA forms the next-generation mobile voice quality testing standard for HD-Voice, VoIP, 3G and 4G/LTE, and is being offered by OPTICOM in distinct form factors for PC lab testing, OEM libraries and mobile apps.

PEVQ-S, the novel test algorithm for QoE Measurement of Streaming Video marks the very latest achievement in the evolution of perceptual testing by extending existing International Standards to fit the needs of the industry's fast pace.

OPTICOM's proven OEM technology can be found extensively in state-of-the-art products from leading T&M vendors. OPTICOM GmbH is a privately owned company based in Erlangen, Germany. For more information, please visit www.pevq.com or www.opticom.de.

OPTICOM Press Kit for GSMA Mobile World Congress 2014
http://www.virtualpressoffice.com/kit/h0kv