Tektronix VM6000
Automated Video Measurement Set,
Discontinued

The Tektronix VM6000 Automated Video Measurement Set automates video testing of consumer HDTV and PC graphics devices such as digital set-top boxes, multimedia PCs, graphics cards, and video semiconductors. It addresses the needs of engineers developing and deploying the next generation of video devices for the digitally connected home. Unrivalled performance in terms of speed, accuracy, and reliability has made the VM/6000 the choice of industry leaders for design validation, quality control, and ATE applications.

Unlike conventional instruments, the Tektronix VM 6000 integrates acquisition hardware, optimized video measurement algorithms, test signal files, and accessories into a cohesive test system solution. Product verification activities that previously took hours or days to complete can now be completed in seconds or minutes. Offering near plug-and-play video measurement capability, even unskilled operators can reliably assess video output signal quality. The conformance of signals to specifications is reported with obvious pass or fail results, with signal distortions clearly identified for further analysis.

The Tektronix VM6000 stands alone as the only automatic video analyzer capable of supporting SD, HDTV, and PC graphics signal formats. Offering a full 1 GHz bandwidth, and 5 GS/s sample rate, the Tektronix VM6000 Automated Video Measurement Set  is well suited to the demands of measuring high-resolution HDTV and high-frequency PC graphics video signals. Traditional DTV formats from 480i through 1080p and either RGB or YPbPr color space are supported in Options SD and HD. Option VGA supports common analog RGBHV signal resolutions from 640×480p though 2048×1536p, and pervasive refresh rates from 60 Hz through 120 Hz.

The ultimate solution for component analog video signal analysis, the Tektronix VM-6000 delivers comprehensive characterization of video fidelity, signal quality, and standards compliance. With available options, the instrument automatically assesses conformance of video signals to applicable EIA-770.x, SMPTE-274M, 296M, and VESA VSIS standards. Traditional "TV" signal fidelity is evaluated utilizing industry-accepted parameters, making 150 individual measurements automatically in less than 20 seconds. PC graphics signal fidelity is assessed using comprehensive RGB video and HV Sync measurement parameters made in accordance with VSIS test procedures. Preloaded reference and limit files enable go/no-go evaluation to applicable DMT, CVT, or GTF timing standards.

Summary Pass/Fail Test Results Display

As an integrated signal analyzer, the Tek VM6000 can be reliably deployed as a stand-alone QA station in manufacturing. Unlike modular test systems, extensive programming, complicated system debugging, or costly test engineering support is not required with the Tektronix VM6000. Integrated pass/fail limit testing and documentation utilities link distributed design, supply, and manufacturing organizations with standardized test capability. Product quality is enhanced because accurate test results can be reliably generated, easily replicated, and readily communicated across a global engineering, manufacturing, or sales organization.

These unique capabilities enable in-depth signal analysis, speed product development, and ensure new designs comply with applicable standards. Fast, accurate, and objective video measurements enable manufacturers to ensure that HDTV or PC graphics video signal quality is up to the challenge of today’s high-performance displays, as well as providing clear differentiation between input signal and display device impairments.

Signal Format Configuration Menu (Option SD and HD)

Complicated instrument setups, algorithm selection, programming, and other undesirable aspects of making video measurements are eliminated with the VM6000. Configuration is as simple as selecting the Auto Format function or individually selecting the video format manually and then selecting the measurement parameters from an on-screen menu, eliminating complicated instrument setups, tedious manual measurements, and time-consuming results correlation. These test configuration settings can be readily saved, recalled, or copied, further simplifying test of multiformat video devices. Users wanting to make manual measurements can exit the automated measurement application and then access a full-featured oscilloscope.

H Sync Measurement Results (Option VGA)

Measurement parameters have been appropriately selected for testing TV signals (Options SD and HD) and PC graphics signals (Option VGA). These parameters vary by application because of differences in hardware technology, signal attributes, applicable standards, and historical test methodology. TV test measurements are based on the de facto industry standard VM700T and have been adapted to assess distortions unique to digital devices and HDTV signals. The PC graphics measurement set delivers fully automated VESA compliance testing and video measurements, as well as reporting other parameters commonly utilized to characterize PC graphics device performance.

• Auto Format Detect - Simplifies operation by automatically detecting the format applied to the instrument. Allows multiple formats to be tested automatically in sequence without the need for user intervention.
• Auto Configuration - By selecting the applicable format and desired measurements from the configuration menu, the VM6000 automatically configures gain, offset, and time scale based on the nominal signal values expected. Variations from nominal values are accommodated with Auto Range capabilities.
• Auto Format Detect - Simplifies operation by automatically detecting the format applied to the instrument. Allows multiple formats to be tested automatically in sequence without the need for user intervention.
• Auto Configuration - By selecting the applicable format and desired measurements from the configuration menu, the VM6000 automatically configures gain, offset, and time scale based on the nominal signal values expected. Variations from nominal values are accommodated with Auto Range capabilities.
• Auto Range - The Auto Range feature enhances accuracy and enables automated measurement of signals that vary from nominal levels. This feature automatically optimizes gain and offset based on the signal conditions when they deviate from nominal, enabling the instrument to consistently present the best results possible.
• Automatic Special Position - The VM6000's automatic special position function ensures that automated measurements are robust to temporal signal distortions, alternate test signals, and alternate output display modes. Always active, this feature identifies appropriate test signal events and sets measurement cursor locations optimally to ensure consistent and meaningful test results. Measurement location selections made by the VM6000 can be analyzed or documented with the selectable feature included in the report generator
• Auto Mode - Auto mode enables users to instruct the instrument to make one, selected, or all automated video measurements with a single a run command. While functioning in Auto mode, the instrument automatically selects the appropriate test signal line, utilizes preset measurement configurations and averaging selected by the user, and completes each measurement. Auto mode also includes multiline measurements capability, enabling users to measure selected parameters on many or all lines in a frame with a single run command.
• Measurement Cursors (Special Position) - Options SD and HD address requirement for custom signal analysis by enabling users to input customized measurement locations for the Frequency Response, Levels, and Noise measurement parameters. For frequency response measurements, users can select either timing-location input or frequency input to make response measurements anywhere within the supported video bandwidth utilizing a standard sweep signal. Input locations can be further toggled within YPbPr signals to accommodate either 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 video. This enables detailed analysis of roll-off, frequency distortion, identification of spurs, and aliasing anywhere across the useful frequency spectrum. Cursors for the Levels parameter enable flexible, automated measurement of 3 channel levels for 1-8 individual pedestals on a line, such as can be found with ARIB signals, MacBeth Charts, or other noncolor bar signals. Noise special position cursors allow temporal windowing for noise measurements, enabling noise measurements on signals such as color bars, staircases, or camera test charts.
• New Measurements on V3.X - Options for SD and HD on V3.X offer the three new measurements. The V Sync measurement will support the complete video timing measurement along with the H Sync measurement. The H Sync Jitter measurement measures the RMS Jitter, Frequency Offset, and Frequency Drift Rate for wander measurements that support IEEE 1521-2003. The user-definable demarcation frequency and probability/jitter readout help to search for the root cause during debugging. The spatial distortion measurement measures the size of the video image and detects if any offset or cropping has occurred to the image. This is useful for design engineers to ensure that their video processing is not deforming the picture. This is also good for verifying video aspect ratio mixes such as letterbox or side-panel modes.