New Tektronix MPEG test analyzers foster DTV, IP video transition

Tektronix, a provider of test, measurement and monitoring instrumentation, has announced two new models in the MTS400 MPEG Analyzer Series. The midrange MTS415 and the portable, entry-level MTS400P models provide first-line diagnostics with integrated cross-layer fault analysis and error logging. Additionally, the company announced an enhancement to the MTS430 and new Tclips test streams. The analyzers add to the portfolio of video test equipment and solutions with a wide range of supported DTV- and IP video-related standards including MPEG, DVB, ATSC, ISDB-T, ISDB-TB, IPv4 and IPv6. The new additions advance the development and deployment of next-generation DTV and IP video networks and services.

The portable MTS400P real-time analyzer provides an entry-level MPEG analyzer and offers a choice of 10, 100 and 1000BASE-T or optical line rate connections. This option supports IPv4 and IPv6 networks and includes time-stamped transport stream analysis. The MTS400P enables users to analyze both constant and variable bit rate streams, single- or multiprogram transport streams plus IP and transport stream key performance indicator analysis of up to 500 simultaneous sessions in IPv4- and IPv6-based networks. Other options include an MPEG player, deferred time multiplexer, deferred time transport stream compliance analyzer, PES analyzer, buffer analyzer and a carousel analyzer and generator.

The new MTS415 offers premium analysis and the key measurements that broadcasters and operators require. Standard features include an MPEG player/recorder, transport stream compliance analyzer for either deferred-time or real-time analysis, PES and buffer Analyzers. Also included is MTS4CC, a cost-effective solution for codec comparisons and to diagnose interoperability problems. Like the MTS400P, an IP video option is available for the MTS415 that includes support for IPv6 and time-stamped transport stream analysis.

The MTS415 provides first-line diagnostics with integrated cross-layer fault analysis and error logging. It saves time by informing the user whether the root cause of video problems is at the transmission, transport stream or elementary stream layer.

The MTS430 provides a fast analysis engine, enabling rapid development, evaluation, deployment and diagnostics of next-generation DTV and IPTV systems and services. New MTS430 models now include a second software license that allows either the transport stream or elementary stream analysis tools to be used on another PC.

Updated MTS400 Series analysis software includes a number of new advanced capabilities including PCR-PTS cross-layer timing analysis to identify encoder access unit timing errors as well as Boolean packet searching, which simplifies tracking down complex issues such as incorrect conditional access signaling.

Tclips are a broad range of MPEG-2 transport streams designed to test receivers across a broad range of video and audio formats. Tclips test streams are designed to test the receivers to the limits of their abilities and will be included as standard with all new MTS415 and MTS430 analyzers. When used in combination with the Tektronix Software Multiplexer, the test streams can be adapted to the specific needs of the user.

For more information, visit www.tektronix.com.