The PQA200 analyzes picture quality with repeatable, objective measurements that directly replicate subjective human visual assessments. These measurements provide invaluable information for engineers working to optimize video compression without compromising picture quality. Based on a Windows NT workstation, the PQA200 is both a generator and analyzer of reference test material for testing compressed video systems. Standard inputs and outputs are 270 MB/s serial component (Rec. 601). Opt. 01 provides analog composite NTSC/PAL inputs and outputs.
Option
01 Analog Video Input/Output for PQA200
A1 Universal Europe power cord
A2 United Kingdom power cord
A3 Australia power cord
A5 Switzerland power cord
The best measure of any analog or digital television system is the viewer's satisfaction with the image received. Traditionally, the quality of analog and full-bandwidth digital video systems has been measured indirectly by measuring the distortions of static test signals. Compressed television systems, however, pose a far more difficult measurement challenge. Picture quality in these systems changes dynamically based on the data rate, picture complexity and encoding algorithm employed. The static nature of test signals does not provide true characterization of picture quality. Natural test scenes that are far more complex than test signals must be used to stress the capabilities of compressed video systems. Until now, subjective testing using human viewers has been the only accurate method for evaluating compressed video systems. But, while useful for establishing academic reference data, subjective testing has been impractical for operational, manufacturing and troubleshooting applications -- until the development of the Tektronix PQA200, which provides a fast, practical and repeatable objective measurement alternative to subjective evaluation of picture quality.
