Simplay Labs has announced the release of the Simplay UTS 800 Universal Test System. The UTS is an all-in-one system that enables comprehensive and enhanced testing by adding testing modules within the system as they are needed. One of the key features of Simplay’s UTS 800 is that it’s a test tool for not only HDMI devices but also MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) products – based on a new mobile HD interface standard optimized for directly connecting mobile phones to high-definition televisions (HDTVs).

The continued growth of high-definition devices, and the complexity of new features across multiple technologies such as wireless, TCP/IP, home networking, MHL and HDMI, requires new product quality testing techniques and approaches. “Product quality metrics for high-definition consumer electronics and mobile products go beyond single standard support to multi-standard technology testing, in addition to real world use cases,” said Joseph Lias, president of Simplay Labs. “The UTS 800 leverages leading-edge research in the areas of Human Audio/Visual System (HAVS) models that help measure a consumer’s quality of experience with the HD devices. The platform also makes use of industry standard architectures and technologies to ensure an open platform for evolving HD technology testing.”

The UTS 800 is based on National Instruments PXI platform, an open automated test platform based on high-performance technology and a software-defined architecture. PXI has become the industry standard for automated test and measurement applications.

Simplay Labs was recently named the first MHL Authorized Testing Center (ATC). ATCs were established so that licensed manufacturers can submit their products for compliance testing against the technology standard specification. Along with its MHL compliance test tools, and the MHL testing capabilities of the UTS 800, Simplay’s mobile testing services continue to match the pace of this growing market. The first MHL-enabled products are expected in early 2011. Simplay is also expanding its Asia testing services. Along with its current testing facilities in Shenzhen and Shanghai, Simplay is expanding its presence in China with the opening of a new HDMI ATC location in Beijing in early 2011, in partnership with CESI (China Electronics Standardization Institute) Technology Company, Ltd. (CESI Tech).