Tektronix Brings HEVC/H.265 Support to Sentry Video Quality Monitoring Solution

BEAVERTON, Ore., June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Tektronix, Inc., a leading worldwide provider of test, measurement and monitoring instrumentation, today announced a video quality monitoring solution for HEVC/H.265 encoded streams as part of the latest software release for its Sentry portfolio of video quality monitors. With this update, Tektronix delivers a scalable and comprehensive HEVC solution for monitoring quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE), and continues to expand its support for 4K/UHD across its entire portfolio of video test and network monitoring solutions.

The combination of more efficient compression technologies such as HEVC and Sentry's comprehensive quality monitoring will be critical as video service providers start delivery of 4K/UHD to subscribers. These technologies ensure that services are delivered with optimum quality while reducing operational expenditures.

During the transition period when consumers will be focused on whether 4K delivers as promised, monitoring service quality will be more important than ever. "The potential for errors in a highly compressed, high-bit rate data stream is significant, particularly as new and largely unproven HEVC encoders and decoders are rolled out," said Charlie Dunn, general manager, Video Product Line, Tektronix. "That's why it will be critical for operators to keep a very close eye on both QoS and QoE using Sentry, which detects an industry-best number of critical issues."

The Sentry series of monitoring solutions are more intelligent, robust and comprehensive than traditional alternatives. These products reduce operational expense by allowing VSPs and network operators to detect critical issues in real time, typically before subscribers experience them. This, along with in-depth reporting, enables continual network improvements and helps to eliminate the main sources of trouble calls from subscribers.  

Along with HEVC support, the latest Sentry software release (version 9.3) also includes advanced digital program insertion monitoring capabilities to support the new blackout descriptor tags specified in SCTE-35 2012, along with other enhancements.

Tektronix Leads the Way to 4K
Tektronix offers the industry's broadest portfolio of test, measurement and monitoring tools. As such, the company is well positioned to support the transition to 4K. Tektronix solutions for 4K/UHD include comprehensive 4K/UHDTV1 monitoring using WFM/WVR8000 Series Waveform Monitors and Rasterizers, a recently expanded line-up of 4K-capable file-based analysis solutions, and 4K picture quality analysis.

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC or H.265) represents a new enabling technology for 4K/UHD content distribution. It equals the visual quality of Advanced Video Coding (AVC or H.264) while using about half the bandwidth. It supports all current resolutions, including 4K and 8K, allows operators to deliver HD video to mobile devices over mobile data networks at reduced bandwidth costs, and is well suited for delivery of 4K/UHD video to the home.

Availability
The Sentry software release version 9.3 is available now for Sentry customers worldwide. 

Wondering what else Tektronix is up to? Check out the Tektronix Bandwidth Banter blog and stay up to date on the latest news from Tektronix on Twitter and Facebook.

About Tektronix
For more than sixty-five years, engineers have turned to Tektronix for test, measurement and monitoring solutions to solve design challenges, improve productivity and dramatically reduce time to market. Tektronix is a leading supplier of test equipment for engineers focused on electronic design, manufacturing, and advanced technology development. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Tektronix serves customers worldwide and offers award-winning service and support. Stay on the leading edge at www.tektronix.com.

Tektronix is a registered trademark of Tektronix, Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

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SOURCE Tektronix, Inc