For Immediate Release
1200 G Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20005 202/628-6380 202/393-5453 (fax)	Contact: John Bernhards Director of Public Relations Phone: 202/434-8850 E-mail: jbernhards@atis.org

Video Quality Measurement Techniques Addressed by Telecom Standards Developer Committee T1 in Recent Technical Reports

December 7, 2001, Washington, D.C. - Service providers now have tools to more effectively plan, deploy, operate and maintain video communication services across multiple networks. Standards Committee T1 (Committee T1), sponsored by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), announced the release of four new Video Quality Metrics (VQM) Technical Reports.

The Technical Reports are designed to meet the communication industry's need for documentation of video quality metrics utilizing the "Full Reference" technique. Full Reference video quality measurement methods support the interconnection and interoperability of telecommunications networks at interfaces with end-user systems, carriers, information and enhanced-service providers, and customer premise equipment.

The VQM Technical Reports were developed by Committee T1's T1A1.1 Ad Hoc Group on Video Quality Metrics.

Technical Report (TR) T1.TR.PP.72-2001, "Methodological Framework for Specifying Accuracy and Cross Calibration of Video Quality Metrics," describes the basic framework to be used in conjunction with video quality measurements utilizing the Full Reference technique.

TR T1.TR.PP.73-2001, "Video Normalization Methods Applicable to Objective Video Quality Metrics Utilizing a Full Reference Technique," specifies a number of normalization methods suitable for use with objective video quality metric (VQM) methods based on availability of the full reference video signal. Normalization means that time-invariant systematic changes in the video, from reference input to processed video output, are removed prior to performing full reference video quality measurements.

TR T1.TR.PP.74-2001, "Objective Video Quality Measurement using a Peak-Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (PSNR) Full Reference Technique," specifies the method for measuring the peak-signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of one-way video transmission systems. The objective of PSNR measurement is designed for the end-to-end transmission quality between two points.

TR T1.TR.PP.75-2001, "Objective Perceptual Video Quality Measurement Using a JND-Based Full Reference Technique," specifies an objective JND-based video quality measurement method utilizing availability of the full reference video signal.

The Technical Reports can be obtained via the ATIS Documents Center at www.atis.org.

About Standards Committee T1

Standards Committee T1 develops American National Standards, technical reports and technical requirements for telecommunications services, network interconnection, interoperability, and performance. Committee T1 provides technical input to the United States Department of State supporting U.S. participation in international standards bodies. More than 1,200 telecommunications engineers and technologists bring their expertise to Committee T1's six technical subcommittees. Committee T1 is a founding member of the Global Standards Collaboration (GSC) group of regional standards development organizations and works closely with the FCC on network reliability issues. Committee T1 is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). More information is available by visiting the Committee T1 Web site at www.t1.org. Committee T1 documents are available at the ATIS Document Center, located at www.atis.org.

About ATIS

The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) is a member company organization that is the leader for standards and operating procedures for the telecommunications industry. More than 1,500 experts from over 400 telecommunications companies participate in ATIS' 19 committees, forums, and Incubator Solutions programs, where work focus includes network interconnection standards, number portability, improved data transmission, wireless communications, Internet telephony, toll-free access, and order and billing issues. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) frequently refers operations issues to ATIS committees for recommended solutions. Members of ATIS and committee participants include, but are not limited to, telecommunications service providers, manufacturers, software developers, resellers, enhanced service providers, and providers of operations support. For more information, visit the ATIS web site www.atis.org.

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