Jünger Audio Prototype For IBC 2015

Jünger Audio will use IBC 2015 to showcase a prototype audio monitoring solution that will allow broadcasters to check the quality of all immersive audio transmissions, regardless of format. It will also help maintain compliance with existing loudness regulations, while avoiding the known processing artifacts of traditional loudness control approaches.

The hardware-based product, which will be demonstrated on Jünger Audio's IBC stand (10:A49), will offer a future platform to host the emerging 3D audio encoding formats from different vendors, including MPEG-H TV audio system and Dolby's audio system.

"Building on our long-term experience of designing and manufacturing dedicated audio processing products for digital TV production, we are actively engaged in developing this multichannel immersive audio monitoring processor ready for the next generation audio for TV broadcast," says Peter Poers, Jünger Audio's Managing Director. "We envisage that this solution will be deployed not just in production and post-production, but at all stages of the audio workflow where programs running future immersive audio standards need to be controlled or monitored effectively."

A combination of hardware containing I/O, decoding stage, monitoring functionality, audio control software and an advanced user interface, the unit allows for monitoring and auditioning of up to 16 channels of audio. All metadata, including dynamic description of included objects for 3D projection, or personalisation of audio services, can be handled and controlled. A variety of physical input and output formats will be offered including SDI, MADI and AoIP.

For object based encoded content, the graphical interface allows the user to perform 3D panning for audio objects to move and pan them around the screen, along with controlling the level. There is also the option of the personalisation of services through the selection of alternative audio objects such as commentator languages.

"Our solution is truly agnostic in terms of encoding format," Poers adds. "It will be positioned between the mixing console and the transmission chain and at any point where real audio must be monitored again. At the push of a button, users will be able to configure it to work with any codec on the market."

Also at IBC 2015, Jünger Audio will demonstrate its audio monitoring system working with the Fraunhofer IIS MPEG-H TV Audio System. The integration of Jünger Audio's loudness control features into MPEG-H means that broadcasters can easily identify content that has already been processed or levelled for loudness control and content that hasn't, thus enabling them to avoid multiple levelling passes that can affect the overall quality of the audio.

Robert Bleidt, Division General Manager at Fraunhofer USA, says: "We are excited to work with Jünger Audio on this product as it will enable broadcasters to offer better audio quality while satisfying their viewer's desire for consistent loudness. It is an example of how working with an open standard such as MPEG-H allows rapid innovation. One application we see for this is control of loudness at network affiliates. The network signal may be levelled prior to distribution, and not touched by the Jünger Audio processing. Only the local ads and programming inserted by the affiliate will be processed, preventing double compression of the audio."

Poers adds that integrating effective loudness control with new immersive audio formats will be a vital requirement as it will allow broadcasters to maximise audio quality and ensure that loudness is consistent and compliant with existing regulations and recommendations.

"Our years of experience in developing the Level MagicTM loudness management algorithm meant that we were perfectly placed to provide high performance products for this developing market," he says. "Our technology will enable broadcasters to transition to the new emerging audio formats with confidence and minimal workflow changes, whilst ensuring that end users benefit from the enhanced listening experience with predictable and reliable results."

www.jungeraudio.com

(JP)