Overview

Sofia Benchmark System 4.0 is a solution for measuring the performance and capabilities of DVB-MHP and OCAP compatible receivers. The purpose of the product is to test and validate the receiver software platform and hardware related features against real world use-cases.

Set-Top Box manufacturers and software vendors can use Sofia Benchmark System to unveil possible bottlenecks and compare the performance of the receiver to other receivers in the market. Test results help in finding out features that may need improvement. They also indicate the effect of possible modifications.

Network operators can use Sofia Benchmark System to compare different receivers and determine differences between various set-top products. MSOs and Pay-tv operators having end-to-end system can use the results of the Sofia Benchmark System to select the preferred STB suppliers. Broadcasters operating in a retail market environment will find the Sofia Benchmark System valuable in determining which MHP and OCAP receivers to recommend to their viewers.

A key feature of Sofia Benchmark System is comparing the results against other receivers. Testing solution comes with integrated server-side component that can collect the results along with the system information retrieved from the receiver. Results of the tests may be compared using the web-based UI. Sofia Digital maintains a database of results from different receivers available on commercial basis. The database provides receiver id numbers, result classifications, best, worst, average and ranking comparisons for each result and an overall “Sofia Mark”-score based on the weighted results of a receiver.

Key Benefits

• Find out potential bottlenecks in receiver performance
• Test and validate the receiver software releases during development
• Provides data for comparing different receiver implementations

Target Users

• Set-Top Box receiver manufacturers
• Middleware and STB software developers
• Network Operators
• Broadcasters

Key Features

• Comprehensive set of performance and feature tests
• Comparing the results and analyzing results over time on a server
• Compatible with SD and HD resolutions, PAL and NTSC
• Automated, server controlled operation

Included Licenses

Sofia Benchmark System 4.0 is delivered as complete software bundle

• Sofia Benchmark client application
• Sofia Backstage® Result Server

Performance Tests

Line Drawing, Colored Line Drawing, Box Drawing, Colored Box Drawing, Text Layout Speed, Color Performance Test, Object Creation Speed, AWT Animation Test, CPU Bound Drawing, Character Animation Test

Feature Tests

Color Space, Transparency, Image Formats, Graphic Rendering Test, Embedded Fonts, Downloadable Fonts, Character Width Test, Font Metrics Test, Tabulator Stop Measurement, MPEG-2 I-Frame Drawing, Application Listing and Launching, Key Events Test, Video Scaling, DTVA drip-feed test, PVR Test, Return channel test, DVB Service Information Retrieval, User Preferences Retrieval and Sound Test

Tests are designed to run in all published DVB-MHP and OCAP specification versions; including MHP versions 1.0.x, 1.1.2 and 1.2.x and OCAP 1.x

Test Development

• Test portfolio of Sofia Benchmark System can be extented by vendor specific tests
• Sofia Benchmark System has a generic plug-in test interface for increasing the testing capabilities and number of test cases

Platform Requirements

• DVB-MHP or OCAP object carousel with standard MPEG-TS playout environment; or alternative method of running the client in the receiver under test
• Networking infrastructure between the receiver and Result Server to enable server-side features
• Result Server software can be installed on top of Windows or Linux platforms
• Compatible DVB or OCAP playout system and server hardware for Sofia Benchmark System can be delivered as an option

Product features and requirements may change without prior notice