Press Release

ATIS-VSF Partnership Delivers New Standard on Video and Audio Content Quality Metrics

February 18, 2011, Washington, DC - The ATIS IPTV Interoperability Forum (IIF) has recently completed an important update to its standard on Quality of Service (QoS) Metrics for Linear IPTV (ATIS-0800008).

In close collaboration with the Video Services Forum (VSF), the IIF implemented several updates to expand and improve its previous work on linear IPTV metrics, most notably in the area of content quality, which was particularly under-standardized in the past.To address this need, the IIF and VSF worked together to define an initial set of IPTV-related content quality metrics for both video and audio in order to address the increasing requirements for measurements related to Quality of Experience (QoE). For example, new videometrics included in the ATIS-0800008 revision include Frame Loss Length, I/P/B-Slice/Frame Losses, or Motion Activity. New audio metrics include Audio Dropouts, Loudness, Dialnorm, and Program Reference Level.These metrics will be instrumental in allowing IPTV service vendors to get a better understanding of possible quality issues with their video streams.

"The updated standards demonstrate the effectiveness of the ATIS-VSF partnership and both organizations' commitment to guaranteeing users a seamless viewing experience," said ATIS President and CEO Susan Miller. "This work underscores ATIS' commitment to bringing the right parties to the table to create the solutions that will deliver high-quality IPTV to the market."

Other noteworthy additions to ATIS-0800008 include defining metrics availability and reliability for different protocol stacks and encryption levels, adding metrics forMulti-cast Listener Discover(MLD) Join Latency and MLD Leave Latency to accommodate IPv6, and improving the definitions of previously-established metrics. "QoE is essential for providers to be competitive in the broadband services marketplace," adds VSF President Richard Friedel. "The metrics developed as part of this joint work will not only enable test equipment vendors to provide a well-defined common set of QoE metrics, but they will also allow IPTV service providers to deliver better service by understanding quality issues with their video streams."

About the VSF

Founded in 1997, the Video Services Forum is an international association composed of service providers, users and manufacturers dedicated to interoperability, quality metrics and education for video networking technologies. The organization's activities include providing forums to identify issues involving the development, engineering, installation, testing and maintenance of video networking technologies; exchanging non-proprietary information to promote the development of video networking technology and foster resolution of issues common to the video services industry; promoting interoperability by contributing to and supporting development of standards by national and international standards bodies. Visit VSF online at www.videoservicesforum.org.

About the IPTV Interoperability Forum

The IPTV Interoperability Forum (IIF) enables the interoperability, interconnection, and implementation of IPTV systems/services by developing ATIS standards and facilitating related technical activities. The IIF places an emphasis on North American and ATIS Member Company needs in coordination with other regional and international standards development organizations.

About ATIS

ATIS is the leading technical planning and standards development organization committed to the rapid development of global, market-driven standards for the information, entertainment and communications industry. More than 200 companies actively formulate standards in ATIS' 17 Committees, covering issues including: IPTV, Cloud Services, Energy Efficiency, IP-Based and Wireless Technologies, Quality of Service, Billing and Operational Support, Emergency Services, Architectural Platforms and Emerging Networks. In addition, numerous Incubators, Focus and Exploratory Groups address evolving industry priorities including Smart Grid, Machine-to-Machine, Networked Car, IP Downloadable Security, Policy Management and Network Optimization.

ATIS is the North American Organizational Partner for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a member and major U.S. contributor to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio and Telecommunications' Sectors, and a member of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL). For more information, please visit www.atis.org.

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