Abstract: A method for evaluating an end-user's subjective assessment of streaming media quality includes obtaining reference data characterizing the media stream, and obtaining altered data characterizing the media stream after the media stream has traversed a channel that includes a network. An objective measure of the QOS of the media stream is then determined by comparing the reference data and the altered data.

Abstract: A method of measuring quality of service includes receiving, from a content server, a transmission of a first media stream and comparing that first media stream with a second media stream that corresponds to the first media stream prior to transmission thereof. This comparison provides a basis for determining a quality of service of the transmission.

Abstract: A test video sequence for testing quality loss in processed video. When video clips are transmitted, compressed/decompressed, or otherwise processed, measuring the loss of quality that occurs during processing can be improved by inserting specific types of overhead video data into the test video sequence before processing. When the processed test video sequence is compared to the pre-processed test video sequence, the overhead video data enables improvements in the comparison operation. In one embodiment, padded areas such as uniform-color frames are inserted at specified points to absorb some of the quality loss and/or to enable identification of starting and/or ending points of the video clips. In another embodiment, a special color bar is inserted before processing and used after processing to detect changes that should be corrected before comparing the video clips.

Abstract: A method for evaluating an end-user's subjective assessment of streaming media quality includes obtaining reference data characterizing the media stream, and obtaining altered data characterizing the media stream after the media stream has traversed a channel that includes a network. An objective measure of the QOS of the media stream is then determined by comparing the reference data and the altered data.

Abstract: An input video sequence can be encoded at least twice. After the first encoding, the input video sequence is re-encoded as a function a previous encoding. Cycles of encoding and quality evaluation can be repeated, for example, until a predetermined constraint is satisfied. The method can be used to provide encoded video of a given quality or bit size.

Abstract: A test video sequence for testing quality loss in processed video. When video clips are transmitted, compressed/decompressed, or otherwise processed, measuring the loss of quality that occurs during processing can be improved by inserting specific types of overhead video data into the test video sequence before processing. When the processed test video sequence is compared to the pre-processed test video sequence, the overhead video data enables improvements in the comparison operation. In one embodiment, padded areas such as uniform-color frames are inserted at specified points to absorb some of the quality loss and/or to enable identification of starting and/or ending points of the video clips. In another embodiment, a special color bar is inserted before processing and used after processing to detect changes that should be corrected before comparing the video clips.

Abstract: A method of measuring quality of service includes receiving, from a content server, a transmission of a first media stream and comparing that first media stream with a second media stream that corresponds to the first media stream prior to transmission thereof. This comparison provides a basis for determining a quality of service of the transmission.

Abstract: A method for evaluating an end-user's subjective assessment of streaming media quality includes obtaining reference data characterizing the media stream, and obtaining altered data characterizing the media stream after the media stream has traversed a channel that includes a network. An objective measure of the QOS of the media stream is then determined by comparing the reference data and the altered data.