Farncombe ships OpenTest systems in first mons, adds new features

Highlights: The industry's lowest-cost pricing is credited with strong market growth; OpenTest version 4 to be unveiled at TV Connect; New features include full AV recording, faster infrared control and Python interface

London, 17th February 2014 - Leading media technology services provider Farncombe today announced that it has shipped 23 OpenTest automated consumer device testing systems in the last 12 months. Systems have been delivered worldwide to customers including pay-TV operators and CPE manufacturers.

Farncombe attributes OpenTest's success to its simple cost model. It requires a fraction of the capital investment needed for similar offerings and the use of industry-standard hardware means operating costs are less than half the industry average. Furthermore, it includes key features at no additional cost such as OpenTest's Optical Character Recognition.

Farncombe is also unveiling OpenTest version 4 which features an unlimited audio and video recording function that allows customers to record the AV outputs from simultaneous tests and keep a record of results. Using the GStreamer open source multimedia framework, remote users can now see the progress of tests from anywhere in the world. In addition, faster control of infrared signals is resulting in higher throughput testing. This is particularly important as customers are increasingly testing multiple devices simultaneously.

With a new Python interface, OpenTest can now run scripts that have been written for other automated platforms with no re-writing required. This gives customers an easy, low-cost way to migrate to OpenTest.

OpenTest has far exceeded our original expectations, said Gary Marshall, Managing Partner for Engineering Services at Farncombe. Our policy of low pricing, partnering with customers to determine strategy and enhancing support services, has resulted in positive feedback from existing and new customers around the world.

The OpenTest automated testing system is available either as a managed, outsourced service in Farncombe's Test Lab in Vauxhall, London, or deployed in-house on CPE vendors' and operators' platforms. Its script-based automated test system removes the manual effort from test execution, vastly improving test efficiency and coverage. It also frees up test teams to focus on analysis and fault investigation.

OpenTest enables realistic stability endurance and stress testing, which are impractical to execute manually. Features such as video analysis, motion detection, region comparison, and optical character recognition (OCR) replace the need for manual recognition and verification. Customers can integrate OpenTest with their own defect management, continuous integration and management reporting systems.

About Farncombe

Farncombe is the leading independent specialist digital TV consultancy, providing world-class advisory, implementation, content security and testing services to clients across the digital TV and entertainment value chain. Farncombe's experience in digital TV is unrivalled, currently focussed on the commercial opportunities in multi-platform, multi-screen and OTT video delivery, where we can offer both technical and product strategy support. Founded in 1991, the company supports clients worldwide, and is recognised as an innovator driving the industry forward and the go-to' source for independent and authoritative strategic counsel. Farncombe's international client roster includes amongst others: Arqiva, Broadcom, Cisco, BSkyB, BT, Eutelsat, Liberty Global, Nagra, Ofcom, SABC, TalkTalk, Virgin Media and YouView. For further information, visit www.farncombe.com.

Farncombe Media Enquiries:

Rachel Postlethwaite

+44 7949 883636

rachel.postlethwaite@farncombe.com

LINK:	http://www.farncombe.com/2014/02/farncombe-ships-23-opentest-systems-i...
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