Verification News (No 9 ) Nov. 1999

TO: All NDA Contractors of DVD Specifications

Nov. 1999

Dear Sirs:

We are pleased to inform you that DVD Format Verification News will restart on Forum Web site since a long absence.
DVD Format Verification News will provide various informations regarding Format Verification and related topics in timely manner..
We hope that these informations would contribute to the DVD Verification activities.

Sincerely,

Table of Contents:

1. New Format/Logo License Program
2. Introduction of Test Specification
3. DVD Logo Mechanism
   Appendix-1 Procedure for Class-A Verification Lab Product Submission
   Appendix-2 DVD Product Category
   Appendix-3 Table of Test Specification
4. Introduction of Verification Lab
5. Information of DVD Video Player Playback Problem
6. Information of DVD Video Disc Problem
7. Information of DVD Video Book Interpretation

1. New Format/Logo License Program:

A definitive licensing program for DVD format and logo has started from July 1, 1999. Any party who is producing,or plan to produce,DVD products requested to contact;

Mr. Tagawa
Licensing Operations Group
Strategic Partnership & Licensing Division

Digital Media Equipment & Services Company
Toshiba Corporation
+81-3-3457-2643 phone
+81-3-5444-9430 fax

Further informations of Format/Logo License are also available at this Forum Web site.

DVD Format Verification is now required for DVD products which are marketed under the DVD Logo.

This program is to ensure that DVD products bearing the DVD Logo fully comply with the specifications contained in the applicable DVD Format Book(s), for the benefit of consumers.

One-time mandatory verification is required for the "first production model" (as defined in the Test Specifications to be attached to the Definitive License as ("Schedule B-6") of Category I and Category II Products ("Schedule A-3") within sixty (60) days after the first commercial shipment of such products.

e.g.: In case of DVD Player,

The following products are defined as "first production model"

• Initial or the latest production model at the start of Logo Program for each licensee
• DVD Specifications Version n.x changing to n+1.x

Self-verification by the licensee itself is requested for the "next production model"
(as defined in the said Test Specifications).
Licensee shall pay a verification fee for the mandatory verification to be charged by the authorized verification laboratory.

note 1: "first production model"" and "next production model" shall be defined at "DVD Test specification" for each product category.
note 2: DVD Product Category( "Schedule A-3" of definitive License ) are attached as Appendix-1.
note 3: Table of Test Specification corresponding DVD Specifications and Product Category. ("Schedule B-6" of Definitive License) are attached as Appendix-2.

2. Introduction of Test Specifications:

Test Specifications are defined for the purpose of testing the licensed products as defined in the Definitive License.
The test procedure described herein could be used by Class-A Verification Labs, Class-B Verification Labs and Quality Assurance Departments of licensees.
These Test Specifications are limited to product compliance to DVD specifications and not to evaluate performance or quality of licensed products.

note: "DVD Test Specification" will be available at Format/Logo License Agent or Class-A Verification Lab.

3. DVD Logo Mechanism

The DVD Logo mechanism is described in the following flow chart:

note: Initial or Latest Production Model should be treated as the "First Production Model" at the start of Logo Program.

note:"First Production Model" and "Next production model" shall be defined at "DVD Test specification" for each product category.

note 1 : "DVD Test Specification" will be available at Format/Logo License Agent or Class- A Verification Lab.
note 2: Licensee without own QA department can get the product tested from an Appropriate authorized Class-B Verification Lab.

Appendix-1:

Procedure for Class-A Verification Lab Product Submission

The procedure for submitting a product to a Class-A Verification Lab is as follows:

Preliminary Application

Applicant must complete appropriate "Form", which is available at Forum Web site soon, to provide preliminary information

Self Test

Applicant must test the product in accordance with this test specification prior to submitting to a Class A Verification lab. Applicant must complete the necessary "Form" to provide test results.

Mutual Non Disclosure Agreement

Applicant, in order to maintain the confidentiality of the applicant product and Verification Lab information, must sign a mutual non disclosure agreement.
( refer to "Schedule D" of the Definitive License)

Application

Applicant must submit the required product samples along with "Form" to be filled up and the NDA.

Test Result

Upon completion of testing, Verification Lab will complete the appropriate Form to inform the applicant and DVD Format Logo License Entity of the test results.

Appendix-2:

DVD Product Category ( Schedule A-3" of definitive License )

Category I Products: DVD Discs.
Category II Products: DVD Players, DVD Drives, DVD Decoders and Integrated Products.
Category III Products: Other DVD Products.

Appendix-3:

Table of Test Specification, Corresponding DVD Specifications and Product Category (Schedule B-6" of Definitive License)

note: Above table will be revised in timely manner.

4. Introduction of Verification Lab

(1) ITRI Verification Lab (Newly established)

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)'s DVD Verification Laboratory has been operated since September 1998 with following services:

1. DVD-ROM Video Disc (Ver. 1.0)
2. DVD-ROM Drive (Ver. 1.0)
3. DVD-Video Player (Ver. 1.0)
4. DVD-RAM Disc (Ver. 1.0)
5. DVD-RAM Drive (Ver. 1.0)

In order to accumulate experience of verification , ITRI's DVD Verification Laboratory had executed the market inspection by verifying many DVD-ROM/video players and discs in Taiwan from September 1998 to February 1999. Thus, ITRI's DVD Verification Laboratory was approved as "Class A-DVD Verification Laboratory" by the Steering Committee in February 1999. Besides that, ITRI's DVD Verification Laboratory has also been devoting its full attention to offer the following services to the industries before the end of 1999:

1. DVD-Audio Disc (Ver. 1.0)
2. DVD-Audio Player (Ver. 1.0)
3. DVD-RW Disc (Ver. 1.0)
4. DVD-RW Drive (Ver. 1.0)
5. DVD-R Disc (Ver. 1.0 & 2.0)
6. DVD-R Drive (Ver. 1.0 & 2.0)
7. DVD-RAM Disc (Ver. 2.0)
8. DVD-RAM Drive (Ver. 2.0)

The main instruments are as following:

1. Three sets of DVD disc evaluation system for measuring the electric characteristics of DVD-ROM/Video/Audio, DVD-R/RW, and DVD-RAM discs.
2. DVD opto-mechanical measuring system for measuring the mechanical characteristics of DVD discs, such as tangential/radial runout and thickness of space layer.
3. Tilt angle and Birefringence testers.
4. DVD Video & Audio Verifier software and standard test discs.
5. DVD Video/Audio testing room and reference test players.
6. Humidity/Temperature test chamber and Light fastness test chamber for environmental testing.
7. Testing machines for other disc specification items, such as physical dimensions, weight, refractive index, etc. are also available.

ITRI's DVD Verification Laboratory, the only one Class A-DVD verification laboratory outside Japan in Asia, is committed to be one of the best Class A-DVD verification laboratories worldwide and to contribute itself to upgrade DVD product quality in the future.

Main measuring equipment for DVD discs verification testing.

Main measuring equipment for DVD drive/player verification testing.

DVD-Video/Audio Testing Room

At the last Steering Committee of the DVD Forum in Paris on September 27, it was approved that JVC offers DVD Verification Service through its DVD Class-A Verification Laboratory as an DVD-Forum-authorized body. Accordingly, JVC has started Verification Service on DVD-Video and-Audio Players and Discs on October 1, 1999.

JVC’s Verification Laboratory provides various kinds of DVD-Video and –Audio Player and Disc verification service to check for compliance with the DVD-Video and –Audio Player and Disc Test Specifications, Ver. 1.0.

JVC has produced two of the five DVD-Audio Test Discs, which were approved for distribution to the general DVD-Audio Specifications Subscribers at the last Steering Committee in Paris on September 27. JVC is ready to offer the following two Test discs through the Verification Laboratory.

1. Audio Title Set Test Disc for Packed PCM
2. Audio Still Video Test Disc

Located in Yokohama City, where JVC’s HQ office is and access from Tokyo is very good , JVC’s Verification Laboratory is equipped with the following measuring devices and systems for high-quality verification service.

 
Measuring equipment for DVD discs verification testing.

Verifier for DVD-Video application and DVD-Audio application

DVD-Video/Audio Testing Room

(3) Verification Lab Map (as of Nov.1999)

5. Information of DVD Video Player Playback Problem

(1) ID No.: 109058

<Disc Configuration>
The disc in which the top VOBU of the Cell is not the top VOBU of Interleaved Unit in the Interleaved Block.

Phenomena of playback problems
Freeze occurs when normal playback is conducted by jumping into the top of Cell.

<Recommended disc configuration>
Set the top VOBU of Cell in such a way that it is the top VOBU of Interleaved Unit.

(2) ID No.: 109059

<Disc Configuration>
The disc which has Linear PCM Audio packet without APTS.

Phenomena of playback problems
Discrepancy in audio data occurs and causes noise continuously in 20 bit and 24 bit, and reverses L/R channels in 16 bit.

<Recommended disc configuration>
It is possible that Audio packet without PTS exists in the end of VOB or in front of the Audio gap. There are the following measures possible to avoid the problem respectively.

1. Adjust the audio playback time of VOB so that audio packet always has PTS.
   eg. : Move audio data location in the VOBs in front and behind the seamless connected point, or move the point of audio gap.
2. Add padding packet to plural audio packs so that audio packet always has PTS.

(3) ID No.: 109060

<Disc Configuration>
The disc which has Linear PCM audio pack including only shorter sample data than 1 (one) audio frame length.

Phenomena of playback problems
Discrepancy in audio data causes noise continuously.

<Recommended disc configuration>
In Linear PCM audio pack including only shorter sample data than 1 audio frame length, disperse padding packet to such audio packs so that all audio packs always have longer sample data than 1 (one) audio frame length.

(4) ID No.: 109061

<Disc Configuration>
In a PGC which consists of the each Cell in layer "0" and layer "1", the disc being played back sequentially from the Cell in one layer to the Cell in another layer. The move between two layers has the following condition.

• Move from layer"0" to layer "1" in opposite disc.
• The track in one layer to which playback moves is on the outside of the diameter of the original track in parallel disc.

Sequential playback means the playback which moves according to the order of Cell Playback Information Table (C_PBIT), from the Cell without both Cell Command and Cell Still to the Cell in the other layer.

Phenomena of playback problems
At just before the move to the other layer, one Cell is sometimes skipped.

<Recommended disc configuration>
Put Cell Command of "Nop" or "Cell Still" (1 second or more) on the Cell which is just before the move to the other layer.
To have less damage in special way of play back, shorten the playback time of the Cell which is played back first in the other layer.
supplementary explanation
The following is the example of the disc with opposite track.

• Cell "n" has neither Cell Command nor Cell Still.
• Sequential playback is done from the Cell "n" to Cell "n+1".
  Such disc is the one being recorded in 2 layer as 1 PGC.
  
  

(5) ID No.: 109062

<Disc Configuration>
The disc which has two or more Angles (TT_SRP.AGL_Ns) and the Title with 10 or more Button No..

(Supplementary explanation:
The disc which has Angleblock somewhere in Title, let alone the disc in which the Cell with 10 or more Button No. is Angle block.

Phenomena of playback problems
No selection of 10 or more Highlighted Button No.

<Recommended disc configuration>
Set "Highlighted No. of 9 or less" in the Title having 2 or more Angles, or set "Number of Angles=1" in the Title with 10 or more Highlighted No.

(6) ID No.: 109063

<Disc Configuration>
The disc in which the Sub-picture stream number, effective to System Parameter SPRM(2), is not set before playing back of PGC highlighted in the title space.

Phenomena of playback problems
Highlight is not appeared because of no command to select Sub-picture.

<Recommended disc configuration>
In PGCs highlighted and linked with the command of LinkPTTN in the title space, Sub-picture stream number is set for SPRM(2) using Pre-command.

(7) ID No.: 109064

<Disc Configuration>
SetSTN SPSTN is executed in the Pre-Command of MENU PGCI

<Phenomena of playback problem>
In the MENU, Highlight for Button may slightly mis-aligned horizontally.
In case, Button Command can be activated though.

<Recommended disc configuration>
Place a dummy PGC in front of the MENU PGCI, and execute SetSTN in either of Pre- or Post-Command of the Dummy PGC.

(8) ID No: 109065

<Disc Configuration>
(a)The DVD program stream has too many video packs which contain
Decoding Time Stamp(DTS).
Example: Every P-picture as well as I-picture has DTS in the every related video packet.

(b)The video stream occasionally has sequence_end_code() in the continuous motion picture elements.

Under the above circumstances of (a)&(b), some kinds of MPEG video decoder IC cannot get correct DTS value just after a sequence_end_code().
It causes start-up problem and it results in decoder's dead-locking.

<Phenomena of playback problems>
The picture might freeze during playback.
This is only happening at particular point of the disc.

<Recommended disc configuration>
One of the following encoding-restrictions is useful to avoid the dead-locking.

1: DTS field is valid for only a packet where first byte of I-picture data is contained.
DTS is not recorded for P-picture's video packet.
Example: DTS field is valid for only 1st I-picture in VOBU.

2: No sequence_end_code() is used, if there are many video packs which contain valid DTS field.
(NOTE: repetition of "single I-picture + sequence_end_code()" by itself does not cause a problem.
But occasional video gap during continuous motion frame elementary with too many DTS will cause problem.)

(9) ID No: 109066

Disc Configuration
The phenomena originate in the following at least one conditions.
(a)In case, VOB boundary is followed by combination of short Cell and Cells. Presentation time of the first Cell is very short and the 2nd Cell includes Highlight Information in the first VOBU of the 2nd Cell.
NOTE: 'short Cell' means 1 or 2 VOBU length.
(b)In case, contiguous Cells are including Highlight Information respectively, and the following Cells is static or low bit-rate picture which is consist of motion picture.
(c)In case, at VOB boundary, preceding VOB has Highlight Information at its last VOBU and succeeding VOB starts from the VOBU which has also Highlight Information.

Phenomena of playback problems
The player can not display Highlights or freezes.

Recommended disc configuration
Keep interval more than 4 VOBU from a valid period of the Highlight Information to a VOB boundary, and between each valid period of the Highlight Information.

(10) ID No: 109067

<Disc Configuration>
There are two VOB boundaries for about 2 seconds.

<Phenomena of playback problems>
System control CPU detects that A/V synchronization failure was occurred.
Therefore, it causes audio mute by resynchronization algorithms.

<Recommended disc configuration>
Keep interval more than 4 VOBU from a VOB boundary to next VOB boundary.

(11) ID No: 109068

<Disc Configuration>
The ECC_block (16sector) goes over the data area into the lead-out area on dual-layer disc.

<Phenomena of playback problems>
Player can not play back Data correctly then will freeze.

<Recommended disc configuration>
On dual-layer disc, a dummy of 15 sectors or more would be recorded between the data area and the lead-out area .

(12) ID No.:109069

<Disc Configuration>
The size from the top of VMGI to the end of VMGM_PGCI_UT or from the top of VTSI to the end of VTSM_PGCI_UT is larger than 30 sectors .

<Phenomena of playback problems>
Some PGCs can not be played back.

<Recommended disc configuration>
The size from the top of VMGI to the end of VMGM_PGCI_UT and from the top of VTSI to the end of VTSM_PGCI_UT would be within 30 sectors .

(13) ID No.:109070

<Disc Configuration>
In the UDF file, the address of File Entry of VIDEO_TS.IFO is at after 30 sectors from the top of the File Set Descriptor .

<Phenomena of playback problems>
Playback will not start.

<Recommended disc configuration>
The address of File Entry of VIDEO_TS.IFO would be recorded within 30 sectors from the top of the File Set Descriptor.

(14) ID No.102004

<Disc Configuration>
A cell is configured in small size in either of the following manners:

a) one VOBU contained in a cell, which is connected seamlessly with the preceeding cell.
b) one VOBU in a cell for moving Picture.

<Phenomena of Player Playback Problem>
Either of the following phenomena may be observed:

a) Playback of the cell is not completed. Accordingly, neither Button Commands in the cell nor Post Commands will be executed.
b) Player may freeze its playback or play the contents back like fast-forward.

<Recommended Disc Configurations>
a) no less than two VOBU in a Cell
b) at least 2.5 seconds of playback time for the Cell containing Motion Picture

(15) ID No.103005

<Disc Configuration>
The SP_pack is recorded within 32 sectors from the top of the VOB .

<Phenomena of playback problems>
Some subtitles turn off too early.

<Recommended disc configuration>
SP_pack would be recorded after 32 sectors from the top of the VOB .

(16) ID No.109071

<Disc Configuration>

X: the distance between the outer edge of the Data Area between Layer 0 and Layer 1 in OTP

The distance between the outer edge of data Area on Layer 1 and the one on Layer 0 is short.

<Phenomena of playback problem>
Player may not be able to play back the Data on Layer 1.

<Recommended disc configuration>
The following disc configuration is recommended to avoid the playback problem:
The distance between the ourter edge of the Data Area on Layer 1 and the one on Layer 0 shall be no less than 60 micro-meters.

6. Information of DVD Video Disc Problem

1. ID No.: 109072
   <Description of Disc Problem>
   One GOP in VOBU contains two user_data() for line 21 data.
   (Book VI5-44)
   <Phenomena of playback problems>
   Playback is on and off at intervals, then finally some player is at a deadlock.
   
   
2. ID No.: 109073
   <Description of Disc Problem>
   The interval between the presentation time of the picture which is stilled by the sequence_end_code and that of the next picture is not equal to or more than 0.4 second.
   (Book VI5-43)
   <Phenomena of playback problems>
   Picture freeze, picture degradation in mosaic and audio discontinuity.
   
   
3. ID No.: 109074
   <Description of Disc Problemm>
   Dolby AC-3 (1/1) is not described in DVD Video Specifications,
   This coding mode shall not be available.
   Another coding mode (2/0) is available.
   (Book VI5-52)
   <Phenomena of playback problems>
   Audio is not played back at all or correctly.
   
   
4. ID No.: 109075
   <Description of Disc Problem>
   The description of VTSI category is "Not Specified", though the attribute of Audio stream is "Karaoke".
   <Phenomena of playback problems>
   The vocal audio of Karaoke program does not change correctly.
   
   
5. ID No.: 109076
   <Description of Disc Problem>
   The Audio Stream says Number of Audio channels is 2ch, but VTS_AST_ATRT says it is 5.1(6)ch.
   <Phenomena of playback problems>
   The attribute of audio stream displayed on screen is different from the actual audio stream.
   
   
6. ID No.: 109077
   <Description of Disc Problem>
   Though an Audio Stream exists, VTS_AST_Ns (Number of Audio Streams) is set to "0".
   Though a Sub-picture Stream exists, VTS_SPST_Ns (Number of Sub-picture Streams) is set to "0".
   <Phenomena of playback problems>
   Player may not output the sound.
   Player may not display Subtitles and Highlight.
   
   
7. ID No.: 109078
   <Description of Disc Problem>
   The Menu Language Unit is defined, but there is no PGC of defined Menu Language.
   <Phenomena of playback problems>
   When a menu of certain language is called, player will stop or freeze.
   
   
8. ID No.: 109079
   <Description of Disc Problem>
   PES_Scranbling_control bits of the packet header in Video packet is set to "01b", but the Stream is not encrypted.
   <Phenomena of playback problems>
   Player may not playback the picture correctly.

As for Restriction of Seamless Angle Block described on page VIX-64 of DVD-ROM Book Part3. (Caution for Player Manufacturer)

<Question>
In the Table K.1.3, the following rules are described:

" Audio stream and Sub-picture stream shall be identical in every VOB used in an Angle Block "
Is this restriction included the order of A_PCK and SP_PCK ?

For example, the following structure is not allowed?

VOB for Angle#1 V/V/V/SP1/SP2/V/V.....
VOB for Angle#2 V/V/V/SP2/SP1/V/V.....
* The contents of SP1 and SP2 in Angle#1 and #2 are identical.
But multiplex order is different.

<Conclusion of TG1-1 (on Feb.25^th)>
The above restriction does not include the order of A_PCK and SP_PCK.
Namely, The above structure is allowed.

TG1-1 decided not to issue Supplementary Information about this problem.

End of Lab-News(No.9)

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