Test Cases & Testing Scenarios For Smart TVs

Introduction

Smart TV applications are the future frontier of competition for media corporations and content providers. Today, there are many opportunities in this primarily unexplored area, but there are also many difficulties in development and quality control.

Inexperienced programmers could be tempted to treat and test smart TV apps like large-screen smartphone apps. This strategy is wrong. A completely different viewpoint is required because there are substantial variations between intelligent TV applications and smartphone apps.

This article will guide you about the Test Cases & Testing Scenarios for Smart TVs in 2022 for Smart TV apps testing and Mobile app testing. 

Smart TV Application Testing

Smart TV applications can be tested using real devices or emulators like mobile apps. The procedure should adhere to a test plan that has been previously defined, utilizing product specs and design documentation.

The tester’s primary responsibility during the design and early stages of the implementation phases of an application’s development is to thoroughly study the project documentation and, using that information as a basis, to generate test scenarios, plans, DoRs, and DoDs.

Any bugs discovered during the automated smart TV testing are reported. During the testing of the upcoming program version, fixes are examined. Additionally, the regression tests are carried out with each delivered version of the application, regardless of new functionalities, including the main critical paths characteristic for a given type of application. 

Input

• Verify whether or not the remote control’s number keys work as intended.
• Verify whether the P+ or P-keys on the remote control can change the TV channel up and down.
• Verify whether or not the Vol+ and Vol- keys on the remote control adjust the volume level.
• Check to see if the Media button and the button to access the Smart TV menu are operating correctly.
• Verify whether the remote control’s Red, Green, Yellow, and Blue buttons are functional.
• Verify whether the buttons on the TV panel are functioning as they should.

Network

• Check if the TV immediately receives the network IP address when the network cable is attached.
• Although the TV has correctly gotten the network IP address, open a browser and see whether it can browse the internet to confirm that it has internet connectivity.
• When the end user manually enters the IP address and its associated information, see if the TV is online.
• To see if the connectivity can be restored, disconnect the TV from the network and reconnect it (by unplugging the network cable and inserting it back in).
• When connected to the internet, see if the TV can check for firmware upgrades.
• If the TV doesn’t have a network connection, see if it gives the user an error message. When the Smart TV portal has no connection access, it should prompt the user to try again or verify the connection.
• Check whether the TV can connect to your home WiFi hotspot if it includes a WiFi module.
• Verify whether the TV can automatically download and upgrade the firmware via the internet.

Usability

• Verify that the screen size matches the requirements.
• Verify that the screen’s width complies with the requirements.
• Verify that the screen resolution is for comfortable viewing by default.
• Make sure the remote is easy to hold.
• Verify that the remote’s buttons only permit using the fewest navigable buttons possible.
• Verify the TV’s menu buttons for screen adjustment.
• Make sure the TV’s menu buttons are simple to use.

Remote Control

• Verify whether the TV can receive IR signals from the remote control at a reasonable distance.
• Using the remote control input, check to see if the on-screen keyboard on the TV is operating correctly.
• Examine how the TV responds to IR signals when the remote control’s batteries are fresh or deleted.

Power

• Verify that hitting the power button on the remote control turns the TV on or off.
• Verify if the TV turns on or off by pressing the power button.
• Before changing the station on the TV, be sure the manufacturer’s emblem is visible.
• Check to see if the TV’s booting firmware isn’t damaged or otherwise affected by the power outlet’s rapid power outage and that the TV continues to operate normally.
• Verify that the TV’s internal parts or software are unaffected by the sporadic power outage.
• Examine the TV’s behavior when turned on directly from the power outlet.

Resolutions

• Since a smart TV may have several resolutions, like 4k, Ultra HD, Full HD, and 720p, it is necessary to verify whether or not a TV app or piece of media is displayed correctly on the TV when a specific resolution is expressly chosen. To test if the TV can alter the resolution per the resolution of the material, set the TV resolution setting to Auto and play video from various decisions. Set the TV resolution to 720p and play a media file with a 4K resolution, for instance, to see how the TV handles this resolution and whether it can accurately display the material or not.

Streaming

• After the internet is reconnected, see if the video streaming continues.
• Verify the synchronization of the audio and the video.
• Verify the TV’s ability to sync with Live video.
• Verify whether the TV can buffer the video.
• Check to see if the TV can’t rewind or fast-forward through the buffered content.
• Check to see if the TV can route audio from its built-in speakers to the linked earphones (if connected).
• Verify whether the TV stops the screensaver from running while the video is playing.
• Check to see if the app requires the video window to be appropriately scaled or not.

Types Of Video Input

• Test to see if the TV can receive video input via the various input types, including HDMI, Display port, Scart, Composite, and Component.
• Check to see if the TV can properly receive audio input via the various input options, including HDMI, Display port, Scart, Composite, and Component.

Miscellaneous

• Verify that the Smart TV can adapt the screen’s contrast and brightness to match the ambient light. This might not apply to all Smart TVs, just specific TV brands.
• Verify the functionality and synchronization of the sound from the left and right speakers.
• Check to see if watching TV for a brief period causes your eyes to become tired.
• Verify that there are no background noises or humming sounds produced by the TV’s audio.
• Verify that the TV’s sound does not become unintelligible at high bass levels.
• Check to see if the TV’s audio and video quality adheres to acceptable levels for listening and seeing.
• Verify whether or not all of the functions, including parental control, channel locking, and channel tuning, are functioning correctly.
• Make sure you know how much power the TV uses. 
• After the firmware change, see if the TV can still remember your settings.

Conclusion

Smart TV applications receive more funding from content suppliers, IT companies, and manufacturers. It can make or destroy a streaming platform depending on how effectively the TV app is created and functions. Ineffective apps fail to engage consumers, do not promote subscriptions, and reflect poorly on the company. This only highlights the need to test apps on smart TVs and the market for specific test cases to be created for every smart TV platform, along with a comprehensive definition of complexity.

Many chances exist for smart TV testing depending on the testing procedure. For instance, security, usability, scalability, and robustness testing are crucial topics that have not been covered in the literature.