Test Methodologies & Processes

Hardware & software specifications for UK Digital TV receivers have been set by the DTG (Digital Television Group). These DTG specifications form guidelines that specify the minimum requirements and help create benchmarks in an emerging marketplace. These specifications are based on the UK D-Book and should be adopted by all concerned to prevent non-standard product entering the UK marketplace. Product compliance to the DTG specification allows the manufacturer to use the Freeview and Digital tick logos on product thus maximising sales potential.

Ocean Blue Test Facilities

Ocean Blue Software has purchased the DTG MHEG test suites and offers this test functionality to our clients for their Digital TV receiver devices

Our test methodologies and conformance test labs allow comprehensive testing of the software embedded in digital receivers. Clients have full access 24 hours a day to the Ocean Blue test labs should they require. Clients can repeat test procedures, use live or recorded streams and correct their software as many times as required.

This unique service allows customers to shorten their testing and certification process and provides a strong market advantage.

Product Accreditation

Ocean Blue operates and provides for clients a portfolio of in house DTG test suites including the following:

• MHEG5, DSM-CC
• DVB-SI
• Freeview Playback PVR

We also assist clients achieve accreditation and gain all relevant industry standard product logos including the Digital Tick.

The Advantages of Working With OBS

The DTG has a number of test suites for software products to ensure the quality of finished product and compliance with specifications.

Digital TV receivers should go through a series of DTG test suites to ensure that it is compliant with UK standards and to gain product accreditation.

Working in conjunction with the DTG Ocean Blue offer test processes for hardware and software reference designs and for final product testing.

The DTG test suites cover:

• MHEG5 & DSM-CC
• Common Interface testing
• Service Information and (PSI) Programme Service Information signaling operations, including Electronic Programme Guide
• Audio and video testing
• Subtitle and audio description stream testing
• RF (Radio frequency) performance testing which tests the performance of the box

In addition to the test suites we also have recordable broadcast streams.

Test Duration & Process

The diagram below highlights the actual process flow and methodology for testing of Digital TV receiver products such as set top boxes. The Ocean Blue DVB test process is a chargeable service.

The Ocean Blue MHEG testing process takes approx 3 days per receiver device, the client is then supplied with a test and conformance report.

Ocean Blue can arrange for clients DTG test reports to be sent to the DTG for verification - rather than clients sending a set top box or television to the DTG for testing.