Aurora

Automated Content Verifier for codec and format compliance.

Designed for automated verification of file-based digital video and audio, Aurora allows for confirmation of syntax conformation, stream quality, and distribution format compliance. Aurora supports most popular codecs, including H.264/AVC/MVC, VC-1, MPEG-2, WMV-9, IMX, PCM, AAC, DTS and AC3/Dolby, in several container types, such as M2TS, MXF, AVI, ASF, GXF, MP4/3GPP and M2PS/VOB.

Aurora's verification is setup via templates, which allow operators to choose what items will be performed for a specific stream, including stream information, syntax compliance (for codec and container), syntax parameter constraints, video quality items, audio quality items and distribution format compliance.

Aurora can check for constraints on most video parameters, including bitrates, frame sizes, quantization (and quantization differences) and consecutive picture lengths. Video quality items including the ability to detect blockiness, constant black/color frames, de-interleave errors, and cadence changes. Audio dropouts, distortion and loudness can also be detected. Operators can also check for format compliance of DVD, Blu-ray, CableLabs, broadcast systems or proprietary system standards.

To assist with integration into existing workflows, Aurora comes standard with several methods of automating the verification process, including a SOAP API and a folder monitor utility. Users that wish to interface with Aurora directly also have a browser-based cross-platform compatible UI, allowing for manual job submission, template creation/editing, queue management and XML result reporting.

Aurora is sold in groups of 1 or 4 verification units (each verification unit needs access to one CPU core). Two types of verification units are available, with one version, Standard, targeted for authoring facilities and another version, Pro, targeted for broadcasters, asset management firms and distribution facilities.