Tektronix Aurora File -based QC Software

Aurora

Compliance Testing

Many Pre-configured templates included:

Aurora has predefined tests for most popular distributionformats, including CableLabs VOD, CableLabs ABR/ EBP, iTunes, Netflix, ATSC, DVB, ISDB-T/TB, XDCAM/RDD-9, AS-02, AS-10, AS-10 French PAD and DPP/AS-11.

Supported Formats

Container wrappers

MXF (All OP, including AMWA defined AS, RDD-9, P2, SxS), Transport Stream, Elementary Stream, Program Stream/VOB, AVI, WMV/ASF, QuickTime/MOV, GXF, MP4, LXF, R3D, DPX, DXW, HLS, DASH, Smooth Streaming, IMF, and DCP (unencrypted).

Video codecs

H.265 (HEVC), H.264 (AVC/AVC-Intra/XAVC), MPEG-2 (including XDCAM, IMX and D-10), ProRes, JPEG 2000, DNxHD and DNxHR (VC-3), Cineform (VC-5), VC-1 (and WMV), DV/DVCPro, Flash VP-6/7, RAW (Huffman, YUV, RGB, Blackmagic), EXR, DPX, RED, Canopus, and MPEG-4 (SStP). 1

Audio codecs

Standard codecs include PCM Audio (WAV/AES/BWF), AAC, HE-AAC, WMA Standard Pro, MPEG-2 (L1,2,3) and MPEG-1. Audio correction is available on constant bit rate codecs only. Optional codecs are available to support Dolby Digital (AC-3), Dolby Digital Plus (EAC-3), Dolby TrueHD (MLP), and Dolby E.

Captions / subtitles / text

CEA-608/CEA-708 in Line 21 video, ATSC 53, DVB-Teletext, SCTE 20, SCTE 128 and SMPTE 436M; SMPTE Timed Text and variations, including DFXP; EBU Subtitles, including STL; SRT; SCC.

Tests Available

Video essence tests

Aurora video essence tests include Macro-block Noise, Up-conversion, Picture Quality (TekMOS, Perceptual Video Quality), Comb Artifacts, Field Order Swaps, Tape/Digital Hits, Perceptual & Film Artifacts, Black/Freeze Frames, Letterboxing/Pillarboxing, Dead Pixel Detection, Color Bars, PSE/ Flash Detection (Harding FPA), and Cadence Change.

Audio essence tests

Aurora audio essence tests include Silence, Drop-outs, Peaks (dBTP, PPM, dBFS), Average Levels (R128, ATSC, ARIB), Clipping, Snaps/Clicks/ Pops, Test Tones, Phase Swaps and Hiss/Hum. Aurora also applies a user-defined Audio Service Map for processing AES wrapped tracks or when mono channel audio essence tracks are tested together.

Metadata tests

Aurora metadata tests include Container Syntax, Video Essence Syntax, Caption Syntax, Container Essence Contents, Cross-Check Container- Essence, Rude Word Detection in Text, Start Time code, Time code Discontinuity, Video Resolution and Run-times. Additional metadata tests for Dolby Audio Syntax and Dolby E Guard Band Alignment are included with the optional Dolby codecs.

Scalable speed

Using high CPU allocation or a lower CPU allocation combined with Aurora’s unique GPU accelerated processing capability, QC throughput approaching wireline limits can be achieved, rather than being constrained by a legacy decoding, buffering and testing architecture.

QC report analytics

Aurora includes QC Analytics to enable media organizations to analyze results of multiple QC Reports and search across reports for specific criteria. Aurora can identify QC artifact trends and compare results from QC done at different workflow stages, pipeline issues and trends or identify vendors for KPI and SLA documentation.

4K production work flow

Aurora can test and play back the Interoperable Master Format (IMF), the distribution master format agreed on by major motion picture studios, and the supplemental IMF packages. Aurora has the ability to QC and play back complex Composition Play Lists (CPLs) and can test 4K at real-time or faster in any other container or codec, including JPEG 2000, DPX, DNxHR, HEVC, H.264/AVC/AVCI/XAVC. 1

Enhanced Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) support

Aurora is the first file-based QC solution on the market capable of both testing and playing back HLS/HSS/HDS/DASH and CableLabs intermediate ABR playlist file sets. Aurora includes tests that have been specifically designed to catch the most common causes of adaptive bit rate streaming problems.

Minimum System Requirements:

• OS: Windows Server 2012r2, 2016, 2019 or Windows 10 (64-bit)
• CPU: Recent single or dual Intel Xeon, with multiple cores and clock speed of >2.7Ghz. Each VU utilizes 4 CPU cores (PRO-VU utilizes 8 cores).
• GPU: nVidia CUDA acceleration available for some selected tests with Quadro K5000 or any Tesla series GPU.
• RAM: 32GB, or 64GB if UHD assets are to be processed.
• HDD: Fast local HDD/SSD for installation and database.
• Network: Fast connection to media location and communication between nodes – 1Gbe minimum.