To proof the compliance to the video standard (HEVC, VP9) Stress Bitstreams give a complete set on test vectors which can be used for short sanity check or full range validation. Given bitstreams will put decoder in the condition of worst case video decoding speed with stress on memory access and highest computational complexity. If ever seek for holes in implementation – a great opportunity to leverage aspiration for exploratory testing with Random Encoder. Every new “seed” will make a new bitstream with new cross syntax combinations. Flexibility of configuration file allows to keep control over any syntax element values range.
Media Server Studio is a proven set of development and validation tools to meet high bar of codecs quality. Stress Bitstreams and Encoder (SBE) for VP9 and HEVC is one of the leading products in the domain to design and develop decoders according to standard requirements. It is hard to test decoder with every encoder in the universe. To make less predictable encoder footprint SBE provides Random Encoder. This encoder is not focused on quality and compression, the main purpose it designed with a control over syntax elements specified in standard. Intel SBE addressed codec developer needs: Maximized coverage of values from allowed range, randomized Cross combinations of syntax elements, Maximized source code coverage for tested decoder with minimal bitstreams footprint.
SBE will benefit to developers in multiple areas: Independent Integrated Circuit, Intellectual Property Silicon codecs designers, Set Top Box vendors and Digital TV manufacturers, Enterprise and Consumer Software vendors, video player & transcoder solution developers and integrators. SBE is designed for validation process automation, easy to integrate to a test system with command line API and configuration files. MD5 checksums and reference decoders provided as part of product. Code branch and syntax element joint coverage in HTML form is provided in the package for each codec profile. Reference decoder source is used to showcase code coverage.
Randomized approach damages visual pictures bringing strong visual artefacts, especially if residuals randomization is enabled. SBE offers also visual clean bitstreams for Digital TV, STB and other end user naked eye validation. Randomized approach is a key to create provided Bitstreams. Convergence is guaranteed by uniform distribution but fixed “seed” allows always reproduce a result.
Every development and validation team will find own part in the multi-purpose product:
- Debug streams: All standard features (for a profile) distributed to a few buckets – Intra, Inter, Extra. Inside a bucket there are several bitstreams indexed by its complexity from 001 to 250. These streams are intended to be used codec designers to make incremental improvements in development job.
- Stress streams/ Worst case performance/Stress decoding with Maximized Read memory bandwidth: When a product claims a particular feature set it has to be validated against worst conditions assumed for. Stress streams will help identify if any issued with memory traffic or computing or binary arithmetic engines. Test you solution in expected worst performance conditions.
- Visual clean streams: Randomization approach creates a lot of noise on a visual picture. If a concern regarding artefacted picture than there is another analogies labeled with Visual. Those bitstreams good for DigitalTV non automated testing where is human eyes to be used as testing factor.
- Make your own test clips: Random Encoder is a unique tool to make a custom bitstream for your need. It is highly configurable to control every syntax element and compile a required stream. Do not expect coding efficiency from this tool! Only compliance is the target for it. The tool gives you a power of our approach.
- Short “killer” streams: Quick smoke validation is the key for TTM. Leverage your design turnaround with tiny footprint bitstreams which provides high coverage for syntax though.
- Special cases: There are special test corner cases with the product. We also like to serve special requests to satisfy your design limitations.
Learn more and Download a Free Evaluation at https://software.intel.com/en-us/intel-stress-bitstreams-and-encoder