Posted Tue Mar 10, 2015 at 12:00 PM PDT by Steven Cohen
The ATSC is reviewing different audio proposals from several companies.
The Advanced Television Systems Committee has announced plans to evaluate three separate audio system proposals for its next generation ATSC 3.0 television broadcast standard, including technology with support for both channel-based and object-based mixing. The competing audio systems are being developed by Dolby, DTS, and an alliance between Fraunhaufer, Qualcomm and Technicolor.
"ATSC 3.0 audio testing is expected to be the first in the world to examine immersive audio for a next-generation broadcast television standard. Immersive audio functionality enables high spatial resolution in sound source localization in azimuth, elevation and distance, and provides an increased sense of sound envelopment throughout the listening area," Richer explained.
Dolby's system relies on the Dolby AC-4 next-generation emission codec. Meanwhile, DTS's proposal is based on the upcoming DTS:X object-based audio codec. Finally, Fraunhofer, Qualcomm and Technicolor's proposed audio system is called MPEG-H Audio which includes support for sound scene based technology in combination with audio objects. All of the proposed standards will also offer "personalization" enhancements like dialogue control, the use of alternate audio tracks, assistive audio services, other-language dialogue, special commentary, and music and effects. Likewise, the ATSC 3.0 audio system will support options for the normalization of content loudness and contouring of dynamic range.
All three audio system proposals will be tested this summer and a final ATSC 3.0 audio system standard is expected to be chosen in the fall.
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