Features:
- 25 DVB or 18 ATSC realtime measurements at a time
- Analyzer and decoder in one unit
- Analysis of data rates
- Trigger-on-error function
- Integrated long-term report
- On-screen display on video monitor
- Measurement capabilities for all levels/resolutions (SDTV and HDTV)
The Measurement Decoder DVMD belongs to MPEG-2 and DVB or ATSC like a waveform monitor to the analog world. It provides everything that is required for reliably handling the new technology.
With its special features no error goes unnoticed. And all this is in an easy-to-operate and portable unit.
The DVMD analyzes and monitors MPEG-2 transport streams both to DVB and ATSC standards.
The combination of decoder and analyzer in one unit with conventional operating concept (no PC system) makes the DVMD the waveform monitor of digital television. It is thus suitable for use wherever MPEG-2 signals have to be checked.
Realtime measurements and simultaneous in-depth analysis (25 DVB or 18 ATSC measurements at a time) yield extremely fast results. This makes the DVMD an indispensable tool in development, in troubleshooting as well as in quality management and production.
Another important application is in the final inspection of MPEG-2 signals before they leave the studio. While DVMD checks the video and audio signals at the output, error information is inserted directly into the decoded program (on-screen display).
Remote-control capability allows integration into automatic monitoring networks. DVMD is thus ideal for all network operators.
Additionally, to ETR290 the table repetition of all "other" tables of type EIT/SDT/NIT is measured in realtime and checked to stay within given upper and lower limits. This feature ensures a proper transmission of program associated EPG data for a digital TV network, consisting of several transport streams.
For the North-American ATSC standard, which is used only for transmission via cable or terrestrial, there are no specific measurement guidelines existing. The realtime checks the DVMD performs in ATSC mode are therefore extensive according to ETR290, where the different ATSC specific system and program information tables (PSIP) are concerned.
By monitoring and analyzing the MPEG-2 transport stream, the Measurement Decoder DVMD performs a completely new kind of measurement task that has arisen from the introduction of digital television. The measurements have been conceived to ensure smooth interworking of all components in a DTV transmission network. The DVMD also provides information about the contents of the transport stream and decodes one of the programs contained therein. The results of the protocol analysis can then be compared to the decodability of video and audio signals.
The measurement decoder thus not only supplies comprehensive information about the quality of the transport stream but makes the new technology transparent so that the user can reliably handle it.
Realtime Analyzer
The analyzer functions of the DVMD comprise a realtime protocol analysis of the measured MPEG-2 transport stream. In DVB mode all measurements comply with the measurement guidelines for DVB systems (ETR290). They were initially issued for the European DVB project, but are now being used in all parts of the world as the standard for digital TV transmission via satellite, cable or terrestrial.
These guidelines define possible error conditions in terms of three priorities.
Moreover, the unique transport stream identification (TS_Id) as well as the actual data rate of the stuffing bytes are checked in realtime against upper and lower limits. The latter function makes it easy with fixed multiplex to detect whether the transport stream contains the desired quantity of video services and monitor possible service drops. These two errors are not assigned a priority, like with ETR290 errors.
| Manufacturer | Rohde & Schwarz |
|---|---|
| Condition | Used |