Consumer Opinions About Frequency of Artifacts in Digital Video

We present results of two surveys of digital cable subscribers regarding perceived video quality. Video quality is measured in terms of (1) the subjective frequency and type of video artifacts and (2) reported willingness to accept discounted prices for poorer quality video. The main result of the first study is that about 80% of consumers report that artifacts do not occur as frequently as once every four hours in competitive cable and satellite services. Thus, most actual services seem to be doing better than a ldquono more than once per hourrdquo rule of thumb would lead one to believe. The main result of the second study is that consumers say that one artifact per hour is not acceptable. The majority of consumers also say that they would choose an artifact-free video service over a video service with artifacts that was offered at a discounted price. Although these results are based on consumers´ subjective judgments, they can serve as a warning in the planning of next-generation video networks and services.