Building on our experience gained from using the TVM4 in countries such as the Australia and Italy, the TVM5 represents
the latest generation of the TVM series. TVM5 contains features to measure all known TV platforms and devices.
Following the design of the TVM4, TVM5 is based on a non-intrusive concept and emphasises the need for
reliability when measuring analogue and digital broadcast TV audiences.
The TVM5 incorporates a number of updated features to further simplify the installation process and
minimise panel member tampering, with a full off-site remote management system including remote on-line checks, configuration and programming.
Measurement Principles
With its three sensors, the TVM5 is able to identify the active source on the screen in a fast and reliable way.
The magnetic field, the electric field or the audio can be analysed or used in any combination.
Due to the range of available platforms and the need to measure all current and foreseeable services, a
variety of methods have been developed. The TVM5 uses seven methods to identify the channel and the various states/modes of the other devices to be measured.
The expansion slot and the modular nature of the TVM5 allows for new methods to be added in the future if required.
A number of measurement methods can be added by simply upgrading the software.
The identification of a channel is performed in two steps; first the source identification and then the broadcast
identification. The source can be the TV set tuner, SAT receiver, VCR, DVD etc. The broadcast ID is a channel number/ channel name.
Some of the methods described below are used for channel identification, others are used for both
(source and broadcast ID) and some are used just to identify a state/mode of a device.
Digital measurement requires no broadcaster co operation:
Banner Reading Technology: The digital channel detection is achieved by a multi-standard Multimedia Processor,
capable of digitalising any video signal in real-time and creating a digital picture stored in its own memory.
This digital image allows the meter to 'read' the channel identification banner content of any digital platform broadcaster
using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology.
The TVM5 is ready to integrate other digital measurement systems if required by the local digital environment such as
Service Information available from the digital set top box, or any embedded code such as PDC or Teletext codes.
Analogue measurement:
With its three other detection tools, the TVM5 is able to identify the channel on any analogue platform (including scrambled analogue)
in a fast and reliable way. The magnetic field, the electric field or the sound can each be analysed or used together.
The Base Unit and Display Unit serve as the user interface. The Transmission Unit collects the data from all the
Base Units in the household using short range radio device (SRD) wireless communication and establishes a connection with
the computer centre via a landline or GSM/GPRS modem, using a direct or Internet connection. All Base Units and
Transmission Units include a USB port which is used to configure and monitor the unit’s set-up software on a personal computer.
The Display Unit, with its compact and stylish design, is placed on or near the TV to provide easy panel member interaction.
The display and a speaker mean that a voice or text message from the processing centre can be sent to the panel member,
customised in the local language. A parametrically controlled built-in motion detector in the display can assist in reducing the level
of uncovered viewing. The system sends an audio or visual message as a reminder to sign-in should it detect substantial movement within the room.
Panel interference is minimised through the TVM5's active video matrix. This is a set of audio-video connectors on the base
unit which permit connections of up to 5 other devices such as a DVD, VCR, video cameras, Playstation etc. With this multi
connector option, there is no need for the panel member to remove or change any cable connections.
The Base Unit itself is very small and is designed to be hidden behind the TV to further reduce any possible
panel member interference. Should there be a problem, the TVM5 remote diagnostics option automatically alerts the processing
centre who can make the reconfiguration remotely without a maintenance visit being required.
With its advanced off-site monitoring of the installation process, the TVM5 can be set-up quickly and accurately
by technicians who require less training than in the past.
TVM5 has been designed with an Internet-based meter in mind, allowing it to be on-line at all times.
This implies no waiting for time slots, no appointments and no calling. The meter is always on-line and
the processing centre can be located anywhere in the world.
Communication may also take place with two-way polling with calling initiated from the processing centre
or from the meter. Regardless of where calling begins, there is also the option for communication by landline,
mobile network or via the Internet to reduce polling costs.
The Communication and Panel Administration Server System (Compass) is a server within Nielsen’s proprietary software.
Compass manages all remote set-up activities, retrieves all the data from the TVM5 and allows for easy system
management. Compass is compatible with Pollux and all other TAM production software.
