The Tektronix Cerify is a primary license, single-channel, fully automated quality control software for file-based video. It supports video ingested from different sources, encoded at different bit rates / formats, and utilizing different compression standards for SD/HD, VOD, or IPTV delivery. It allows verifying/checking content prior to transmission or use. Solutions range from windows-based PC standalone workstations to enterprise-wide solutions that interface to 3rd party automation or asset management systems.
The included HA feature (High Availability) is for users with a server cluster. It provides a second dongle allowing you to assign a backup unit to continue processing files in case the supervisor unit goes down.
Cerify
Key Features
- Exception-based technical compliance to enable QC teams to focus only on the problem content and the subjective requirements
- Performs consistent and thorough checks of incoming video files against user-defined templates
- Ensure quality of all audio tracks contained in the file simultaneously with one pass
- Integrates with video servers
- Logs errors, informs automation systems, plus programmable actions such as E-mail User Alert, Quarantine, and Move Files
- XML-based templates to reduce ingest rejection due to non-compliance
- Web-based multi-user interface
- Flexible Windows software-only solution
- All the test features of the Cerify 200 Auto-QC product
- CeriTalk API for integration with automation and asset management systems
- Available in two configurations: stand-alone or Enterprise (clustered for higher parallel processing requirements)
Included Tests
- Encoding Errors
- Syntax Errors
- Format
- Bit Rate
- Quantization
- Frame Rate
- GOP Length
- Aspect Ratio
- Color Format
- Buffer Analysis
- File Size
- Correct PID
- CableLabs VoD Compliance
- Number of Video and Audio Streams
- Number of Audio Channels
- Video Playtime
- Signal Levels
- Gamut
- Luminance
- Chrominance
- Black Frame Detection
- Video Quality (Blockiness)
- Freeze Frame Detection
- Field Order
- Audio Playtime
- Peak and Minimum Levels
- Audio Loss
- Clipping
- Silence
- Mute
- Test Tones
- Multitrack Audio Testing
- Testing (except Dolby E)
- Peak Audio-level Reporting (except Dolby E)
- PPM Audio Ballistics
- HA
Formats
- Format: all frame sizes, bit rates, and resolutions for SD/HD and mixed workflows
- Container: MPEG TS/PS, MXF, GXF, MP4, QuickTime, ASF (Windows Media), 3GPP, DNxHD (through QuickTime)
- Video: MPEG-2 (IMX, XDCAM), H.264/AVC, MPEG-4, H.263, VC-1/WMV, V/DVCPro25/50/100/HD, Apple ProRes 422/422(HQ)/422(Proxy)/422(LT)/444 (no syntax checks), AVC-Intra (High10 Intra, High422 Intra, High444 Intra, and CAVLC Intra), JPEG-2000 (no syntax checks)
- Audio: MPEG-1/2, AAC, HE AAC, PCM (AES, BWF, AIFF, WAV), DV, WMA, Dolby D / AC-3, Dolby E
Applications
- Broadcasters: for checking audio and video after encoding, at ingest, after editing, after transcoding, and before playout for terrestrial, satellite, cable, internet, and video-on-demand content
- Archiving: for checking integrity before and after archiving
- Content Providers: for checking post production and aggregated content has been correctly encoded and conforms to the required quality and format
Delivery
- Cerify can be easily integrated with Automation and Asset Management systems using the CeriTalk API
- XML-based test templates can be exchanged between Cerify systems, and applied as the definition of the required test standards between suppliers and broadcasters to establish Service-level Agreements and reduce costly churn (rework of content)
- The Cerify Developer Community (CDC) of companies working together on integrated solutions is featured on the Tektronix website
Container-Level Transport System Tests
- Correct standard and integrity
- File size, bit rate, playtime, number of video and audio streams in transport container
- Packet size, CableLabs VOD Compliance
- Signaling of close captions, teletext
Video Tests
- Correct encoding standard, profile, and syntax checks for encoding errors
- GOP structure, quantization, frame rate, bit rate, frame size, interlaced/progressive, aspect ratio
- Baseband tests including gamut levels, luma, chroma, signal levels, letterbox/pillarbox, playtime
- Color depth, color format (4:2:0, 4:2:2), copyright
- Black frames (lead in, lead out, and during the video), video quality (blockiness), frozen frames, field order
Audio Tests (Simultaneously on All Audio Tracks)
- Correct encoding standard, profile, syntax checks for encoding errors
- Sample rate, bit rate, playtime
- Number of channels, peak and minimum signal levels on each channel
- Audio silence (lead in, lead out, and during the video), clipping, mute, test tones
- PPM audio ballistics
- True peak-level tests for all supported audio codecs except Dolby E codec
Action Templates and Reporting
- Copy or move file on success or error
- E-mail alerts with test reports
- Web-based on-screen job reports and detailed drill-down to error details
- Text/HTML query reports of all files in the database with full file
- Details and error reports
Miscellaneous
- CeriTalk Automation API
- Multiple user templates and profiles can be set up for different content types and sources
- XML-based templates can be imported and exported
- Automatic reprocessing of a file, if there is a change in the last modified time or the size of the file
Options
- ALC: Single channel of Automated Loudness Correction
- CH: Additional Cerify single-channel software license (limit of 100 per CYSW)
- ENT-5: Enterprise solution of up to 5 server units
- ENT-10: Enterprise solution of up to 10 server units
- ENT-20: Enterprise solution of up to 20 server units
- ASM: One year of software updates and technical phone support per install of Cerify CYSW
- HA: High Availability (second dongle for processing files with a back up unit