What is the definition error 1.4: Continuity_count_error?

What is the definition error 1.4: Continuity_count_error?

The formal definition of this error is given in the TR 101 290: Measurement guidelines for DVB systems document that is published by ETSI. A brief summary of this error is given below. For more information about this error or the test that generates it, please consult ETSI TR 101 290.

Every MPEG transport stream packet has a continuity count value (0-15) embedded within it. These values are required to be sent in order (0, then 1, then 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, back to 0 and so on). The continuity count error indicates that one of three possible errors has occurred with regards to the continuity counter values:

Case 1: A continuity counter value was skipped in the sequence of packets. For example: if the continuity counter values received in order were …1, 2, 3, 5, 6… then this error would be reported because the value of 4 was skipped.

Case 2: Continuity counter values appeared out of order. For example: if the continuity counter values received in order were …1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6… then this error would be reported because the values of 3 and 4 arrived in the wrong order.

Case 3: The same continuity counter value arrived twice in a row. For example: if the continuity counter values received in order were …1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6… then this error would be reported because the value of 3 appeared twice in a row.