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NTIA Handbook 02-01

Video Quality Measurement User's Manual

February 2002

Margaret H. Pinson and Stephen Wolf

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Abstract: The purpose of this handbook is to provide a user’s manual for the video quality metric (VQM) tool. The VQM software tool performs automated batch processing of video files. Program VQM runs under the UNIX operating system and uses a control file to specify the exact video quality measurement procedures that are to be performed. All results are emailed to the user.

Program VQM compares the video sequence that has been processed by the video system under test to the original video sequence through two main steps. First, program VQM calibrates the processed video sequence to remove systematic differences between the original and processed, such as spatial and temporal shifts. Second, program VQM estimates and reports the perceived quality of the processed video using one of five video quality models. Quality estimates are reported on a scale of zero to one, where zero means that no impairment is visible and one means that the video clip has reached the maximum impairment level.

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software are identified in this handbook to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.

To request a reprint of this report, contact:
Margaret Luebs, Publications Officer
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
Voice: (303) 497-3572
info@its.bldrdoc.gov

For technical information concerning this report, contact:
Margaret Pinson, Electronics Engineer
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
Voice: (303) 497-3579
mpinson@its.bldrdoc.gov

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