IneoQuest Simplifies Performance Measurement and Optimization for OTT/Multiscreen Content Quality

BOSTON, March 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IneoQuest Technologies, the global leader in video quality and audience behavioral intelligence solutions, today announced the release of Inspector LAB, a new test and measurement solution that simplifies and accelerates the process of optimizing video content for Internet/Over-the Top (OTT) delivery to the ever expanding array of viewer devices. In order to remain competitive, video providers are being challenged to re-evaluate their content preparation and encoding technologies and workflows. These challenges include the greater use of adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming, the shift to the HEVC codec for bandwidth, storage, and cost savings, and a complete re-architecting of the head-end workflow to address both linear and OTT needs through combinations of physical and virtual/cloud based assets. Inspector LAB was designed to support video providers wrestling with these challenges.

Inspector LAB's key new innovation is an IneoQuest-developed video quality scoring technology that effectively grades video streams in real time.  This non-reference quality scoring model, iQ-MOS, allows streams being processed for multi-screen delivery to be graded "on-the-fly," enabling encoder/transcoder users to immediately see the impact of changes they make to any of the dozen or more settings that can be used to tune the output. Comparisons between virtual or appliance-based encoder/transcoder solutions from the same or different vendors is now easily accomplished in real time, opening the door to testing against a much broader spectrum of content types than was previously feasible. In addition, encoder users and compressionists can quickly optimize their encoder settings to find the "sweet spot" between size reduction/cost savings and quality/viewer satisfaction.

"Compressionists currently check video quality using their expert visual acuity or machine-based reference-model scoring, in which software scores the compressed derivative version of a video against the original master copy. Both methods are time-consuming and neither work for live-streamed video content," said Kurt Michel, Sr. Marketing Director, IneoQuest. "Inspector LAB enables compressionists to not only score live streaming content, but also dramatically reduce scoring time compared to these visual and reference-based methods. By making scoring easier, Inspector LAB helps video providers deliver consistent, high-quality content every time."

IneoQuest, founded in 2001, was instrumental in developing Quality of Service (QoS) metrics for Video over IP. As the industry evolved, IneoQuest shifted from a lab focus to a 24/7 video assurance role in operational linear/IPTV networks. However, the rapid growth of adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming for OTT multiscreen delivery now demands that each program stream be provided in many different versions, each requiring high quality encoding. Finding the proper settings for all of these different versions is a time consuming task performed by compressionists in the lab. Inspector LAB represents a bridge between IneoQuest's heritage and its current active-network quality assurance role. In fact, Inspector LAB can be used to benchmark the quality targets for the active network.

Using Inspector LAB's quality benchmarks, video providers can establish automated quality level benchmark testing at the network head-end and compare that to measurements across the network to determine how the delivery infrastructure is performing. In addition, Inspector LAB offers features to check whether the encoders are generating content in a way that is consistent with the Quality of Service (QoS) needs of the downstream networks.

"Reliable non-reference quality scoring is the 'holy grail' of the video content preparation community," said Jan Ozer, compressionist, streamingmedia.com contributing editor, and founder of streaminglearningcenter.com. "This technology, integrated in IneoQuest's Inspector LAB product, can significantly reduce the time it takes to evaluate, select and configure encoders and opens the door to real-time quality grading in live networks."

Inspector LAB is initially available as a 1U rack-mountable appliance, and is now available for ordering. Inspector LAB will be featured in a live streamingmedia.com webinar, "Simplifying Encoder Purchase and Configuration Decisions with Real-time Quality Metrics," on March 31 at 2 p.m. EDT. It will also be demonstrated at IneoQuest's NAB booth (SU6102) in Las Vegas, April 18-21.

About IneoQuest Technologies
IneoQuest provides the world's leading media companies and service providers the critical insight needed to keep viewers engaged on any device, across any network. Recognized as an industry leader and innovator by Deloitte, Red Herring, Inc., Frost & Sullivan, and others, IneoQuest's patented solutions continue to set the standard for measuring video quality and viewer behavior. To learn more about how IneoQuest is redefining the video experience, visit www.ineoquest.com.

SOURCE IneoQuest Technologies

Related Links

http://www.ineoquest.com