To paraphrase..  Numeris will probably adopt the enhanced PPM technology announced today by Nielsen, Using Voltair is still outlawed, and will be for an undetermined amount of time till extensive testing can be done.   And that extensive testing on Voltair won't take place till extensive testing on the Nielsen firmware revision is done.

-  Voltair cannot practically be deployed in Canada’s system until it has capability on both encoding layers.
-  Numeris is asking the Board to extend the pause in use of any enhanced encoding technology until the Board is satisfied it has the evidence to recommend how future encoding should be offered.  

Who knew.

An interesting tidbit, according to Numeris, voltair doesn't work on the Canadian system anyway because "Canada is different".  And if that's the case, the magic increase in numbers experienced by Canadian stations using the technology must be coming from engineers farting unicorn dust into the transmitter room.  

Anyway...

(Via Numeris)

Nielsen hosted a webinar for its customers on July 21, 2015 to discuss Voltair and new PPM encoding technology it is preparing to offer US customers.  Numeris recognizes this will result in discussion in Canada, and is releasing this update to keep our members informed.

The enhanced Nielsen PPM encoding technology announced in the webinar can be deployed simply and at no cost to customers.  It is a flash upgrade to existing encoders performed by station engineers in most cases.

Canadian Background

After a thorough discussion at the June Board meeting the Board voted unanimously to pause the use of Voltair in the Numeris measurement system to preserve a level playing field while the technology is reviewed.  Numeris issued a communication to the membership requesting that all stations using Voltair suspend use of this technology pending the outcome of an encoding review, a request we believe has 100% cooperation.   Numeris committed to the Board to report back within 60 days.

Since then, Numeris has engaged both Nielsen and Telos Alliance (the parent company of Voltair). We have reviewed Nielsen lab testing, discussed future encoding, met with 25-7, the manufacturers of Voltair, and have conducted testing in Canada with the Voltair unit.

Canada is Different

The Canadian measurement system is very different than the US:  

1.  Canada uses the PPM technology for radio and television, and; 
2.  Canada uses all available encoding layers while the US uses one, and;
2.  Canada uses only the PPM hardware, and;
3.  The processing and panel management software is unique to Canada, and;
4.  Canada reports data at the minute level, the US at the quarter hour.* 

*This is probably the most important difference as any change in encoding affects minute level data more significantly than the quarter hour data utilized by the US.

New Nielsen PPM Enhancement Is Available in Canada

Numeris has access to the enhanced PPM encoding technology at no cost. 
The Numeris Board is being consulted as we believe any change in encoding, whether it is through  enhanced PPM technology or the addition of a third party unit, requires testing prior to deployment.  Numeris believes the enhanced PPM encoding technology will produce audience changes in a manner similar to Voltair, but without any breakthrough and without individual stations’ ability to set code levels for their station.  

Limited Experience With Higher Encoding Levels Should Raise Some Cautions

With our experience in Canada, we note significant variation in audience results between stations that deployed Voltair enhanced encoding and between Voltair and stations that did not employ the technology.  It is the variability that raises concerns and needs to be understood.  

We have reports that the encoding is audible after Voltair enhancement in some cases.  

The ability for stations to adjust encoding levels raises a question of what code level is defensible.  

Limited comparisons Numeris has made of station audience levels by the minute to the Voltair monitoring display (the machine assessment of encoding quality in red, yellow and green indicators) raises serious concerns about its ability to monitor the overall PPM system, and how the unit is making its assessment that code enhancement is required. 

Voltair has never been tested within a measurement system, does not function within the Numeris system at this time (which uses different code insertion points than the US), and has never been deployed in a television station.

How Can Numeris Test To Give Confidence in an Encoding Change?

Numeris will propose to the Board a full scale test in radio of Nielsen’s new enhanced PPM encoding. 
This test will allow the Board to make a decision on deployment of enhanced PPM encoding in radio.
If this radio test uncovers no issues, a similar test will be conducted in television to ensure PPM enhanced encoding performs in a similar manner in television.  The television measurement environment is very different from radio, and we have a direct electronic measurement comparison between PPM and wired technology (which by definition captures all in home viewing) performed when PPM replaced wired technology.  The data showed the PPM capturing the same in home viewing as the wired meter.  Any significant difference due to an encoding change will need explanation. 

Numeris estimates the radio testing could be complete within 6 weeks of start, depending on the availability of engineering assistance at member stations in summer.  Numeris is consulting Nielsen on any technical issues combining the existing PPM codes with the new enhanced codes that could affect side by side testing.

Why Voltair is Not Proposed for Testing at This Time 

In a word:  time.  The current version of Voltair operates on the first encoding level only.  This is the encoding level Numeris uses for currency measurement in most cases and thus is not available for test purposes.
Numeris believes the most effective approach would be to do the same test for Voltair as we plan for the enhanced PPM code.

Voltair indicates they will have equipment that will function on the second encoding layer later in 2015.  If the industry wishes to conduct a further test after assessing the proposed PPM enhanced encoding product, it would be technically possible with this new unit.  

While this is well after a PPM enhanced encoding test could be complete Voltair cannot practically be deployed in Canada’s system until it has capability on both encoding layers.

The Pause

Numeris is asking the Board to extend the pause in use of any enhanced encoding technology until the Board is satisfied it has the evidence to recommend how future encoding should be offered.  

Our Goal

Canada has the world’s most advanced measurement system.  The high level of fairness and confidence that underpins it will be preserved through this assessment of enhanced encoding technology.  Our reputation is built on careful testing, full disclosure, industry involvement in decisions, and well-designed deployment processes for new technology.  Our goal is that any change in encoding technology will meet all these standards.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact your Numeris Member Services Executive.
 

Last edited by ig (July 21, 2015 10:17 pm)