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EBU: aacplus the best
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July 16, 2007: Coding Technologies’ MPEG-4 aacPlus
confirmed clear winner in European Broadcasting Union
multi-channel listening test.
Testing rated aacPlus to be the most efficient audio codec for
use across all broadcast applications from mobile to SD to HDTV.
Nuremberg, Germany, July 16, 2007 — Coding Technologies, the leading
provider of audio compression for digital broadcasting, mobile media,
and the Internet, today announced that the EBU (European Broadcasting
Union) has chosen its MPEG-4 aacPlus audio codec as a clear winner in
a recent multi-channel audio test. The EBU found that the codec is the
only one capable of delivering superior surround audio across a wide
range of bit rates; all broadcasting applications, including mobile,
SD (Standard Definition), and HD (High Definition) TV. This is Coding
Technologies’ second listening test victory with the highly regarded
EBU. In a previous 2003 stereo comparison, aacPlus outperformed each
and every other codec in the test field.
The multi-channel audio system and quality evaluation test carried out
by EBU is a stringent, independently run blind listening test which
compares the audio quality and performance of audio codecs across the
market place.
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Pity we can't get them to compare UK DAB with FM and CD.
The results of that would be some what interesting.
Richard E.
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The listening test determined that aacPlus, at bit rates between 128
and 192 kbps, outperformed all other surround sound codecs in terms
of efficiency, while scoring overall audio quality results in the
‘excellent’ range. This remarkable level of audio quality was only
reached by its competitors while operating at twice the bit rate and
above. Additionally, a corres¬ponding workshop held by the EBU revealed
that aacPlus multi-channel audio encoding is now fully capable of
handling and utilising Dolby metadata.
Coding Technologies’ aacPlus codec represents a breakthrough in audio
compression efficiency that delivers high fidelity stereo and
multi-channel audio at far lower bit rates than previously thought
possible. Broadcasters deploying aacPlus achieve extremely high quality
audio while gaining considerable reductions in bandwidth requirements.
For example, HD broadcasters can deliver crystal clear 5.1 surround
sound in as little as 160 kbps while SD broadcasters can deliver
excellent quality stereo at 48 kbps.
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Wish they would define 'excellent'.
gr, hwh
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“It is a new day in the digital TV world,” said Stefan Meltzer,
vice president business development, Coding Technologies.
“Coding Technologies is very pleased that independent test results
now provide conclusive proof of the value aacPlus puts in the hands
of broadcasters, operators and media providers looking to provide
a better listening experience to their customers, while reducing
their own system requirements.“
aacPlus is an MPEG-4 standardised audio codec. It is the combination
of the industry standards AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) and Coding
Technologies’ SBR (Spectral Band Replication) and PS (parametric Stereo)
compression methods.
Much of the strength in aacPlus comes from the synergies it creates
between broadcasters, device manufacturers, network operators and end
users by adapting to their various needs. It is used by many of the
world’s most demanding professional equipment manufacturers,
broadcasters and content aggregators to deliver high quality audio
via terrestrial, satellite, the Internet, and mobile networks.
In broadcast, the significantly increased bandwidth efficiency of
aacPlus offers broadcasters the highest levels of flexibility in
lowering costs per channel and in delivering a wider choice of
programming to consumers in consistently high audio quality.
Deployment of the codec has already led to an emerging range of
digital entertainment applications such as satellite and cellular music,
HD radio and TV and mobile television. aacPlus is a standard feature
in a growing list of more than 200 media/entertainment products from
companies including Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Alcatel, Casio,
Hitachi, Kyocera, LG, Siemens and Toshiba.
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