Rohde & Schwarz has announced the availability of its new R&S VTC (Video Test Center), which tests the functionality of digital video interfaces, such as high-definition multimedia (HDMI) and mobile high-definition link (MHL),and their compliance withrelevant standards. According to the company, the R&S VTC provides combined real-time protocol testing and audio/video analysis including difference picture analysis, offering user-equipment manufacturers the most flexible test platform on the market.

The company claims that the R&S VTC is an entirely modular platform designed for testing video and audio interfaces that offers a wide variety of functions. The all-in-one solution provides media content analysis and can be modified at any time to meet the requirements of specific test environments,. It can also be upgraded to comply with new standards.

The platform accommodates up to eight test modules. Separate options are available for HDMI and MHL interfaces that are commonly used in consumer electronics equipment. Analog audio/video interface and modulator modules for broadcasting standards are currently being prepared.

In combination with the HDMI options – which are also new – R&S' VTC performs extensive real-time analyzes of video and audio parameters as well as info frames. To test sources and sinks, the R&S VTC can perform system protocol tests in line with the latest HDMI compliance test specification 1.4c. For the various interfaces, Rohde & Schwarz provides test software that can be used to automate test routines. The R&S VT-B2361 HDMI RX option also makes it possible to test ultra definition (UD) resolutions, i.e. resolutions up to 4kx2k as used in high-end screens.

Rohde & Schwarz says it also offers several options for the automatic analysis of media content. These options can be used for MHL and HDMI signals. The R&S VT-K2100 video analysis option measures the timing and level of each video signal component in real-time, making it possible to verify whether color transmission is correct. The R&S VT-K2110 AV inspection and R&S VT-K2111 AV distortion analysis options assist users in performing difference picture analyzes. In addition to the graphical result display, objective measured values such as PSNR, SSIM and MOS are also displayed in real-time. Bit errors in video content, for example, can be identified as well. One option even includes a conclusive audio analysis function. The R&S VTC also identifies the key parameters such as audio level, frequency response, phase response, S/N ratio, distortion and crosstalk.

The R&S VTC video test center is easy to use, claims R&S, thanks to an 11in touchscreen. It can also be operated remotely via LAN using a PC or tablet. The video test center supports several languages including Chinese, Korean and Japanese.

The R&S video test center and R&S VT-B2360/2361 HDMI RX options, as well as the variety of software options, will be available from Rohde & Schwarz by August 2012. All options are also suitable for the R&S VTS compact video tester and R&S VTE video tester.