Assessing Texture Dimensions and Video Quality in Motion Pictures using Sensory Evaluation Techniques

Abstract

The quality of images and videos is usually examined with well established subjective tests or instrumental models. These often target content transmitted over the internet, such as streaming or videoconferences and address the human preferential experience. In the area of high-quality motion pictures, however, other factors are relevant. These mostly are not error-related but aimed at the creative image design, which has gained comparatively little attention in image and video quality research. To determine the perceptual dimensions underlying movie-type video quality, we combine sensory evaluation techniques extensively used in food assessment – Degree of Difference test and Free Choice Profiling – with more classical video quality tests. The main goal of this research is to analyze the suitability of sensory evaluation methods for high-quality video assessment. To understand which features in motion pictures are recognizable and critical to quality, we address the example of image texture properties, measuring human perception and preferences with a panel of image-quality experts. To this aim, different capture settings were simulated applying sharpening filters as well as digital and analog noise to exemplary source sequences. The evaluation, involving Multidimensional Scaling, Generalized Procrustes Analysis as well as Internal and External Preference Mapping, identified two separate perceptual dimensions. We conclude that Free Choice Profiling connected with a quality test offers the highest level of insight relative to the needed effort. The combination enables a quantitative quality measurement including an analysis of the underlying perceptual reasons.