Media Excel's UHD HEVC Encoder supports MPEG-H Audio
Products & Technologies

Media Excel Integrates MPEG-H Audio Encoding from Fraunhofer in New UHD Broadcast Encoder

September 8, 2016

In advance of the launch of the world’s first terrestrial 4K TV broadcast service in South Korea, Media Excel, a leading supplier of software solutions, is taking the first step in dramatically improving the audio experience of television broadcast by integrating MPEG-H Audio software from the world-renowned audio experts at Fraunhofer IIS. Media Excel’s latest UHD HEVC encoder will be among the first encoders to support MPEG-H Audio real-time encoding of immersive and interactive sound.

With the launch of the 4K TV system in South Korea in February 2017, MPEG-H Audio will be the first Next Generation Audio system used over the air for television broadcasts based on ATSC 3.0. Broadcast professionals and consumers will benefit from the capabilities of MPEG-H, including:

  • Interactive audio: Consumers will have the ability to adjust the sound mix to their preferences, for example choosing between different commentators in a sporting event;
  • Immersive sound: Comparable to moving from stereo to surround sound, MPEG-H adds 3D audio components to deliver a truly immersive experience

Media Excel’s UHD HEVC Encoder opens the next level of video experiences for customers of premium broadcast, cable and satellite, mobile and OTT/TVE services. The adoption of MPEG-H Audio software from Fraunhofer IIS adds advanced audio features to an already innovative encoder that meets and exceeds the rigorous demands required for UHD HEVC broadcasting.

“The integration of MPEG-H Audio software for Media Excel’s encoder, represents another milestone in our continued efforts to deliver high quality implementations of advanced audio technologies to the evolving media world. MPEG-H Audio will enable professional broadcasters in South Korea to deliver premium content to end-users with Next Generation Audio features,” said Robert Bleidt, Division General Manager at Fraunhofer USA.

MPEG-H Audio enables the delivery of streaming and TV audio at comparably low bit rates in a cost-effective manner for broadcasters and streaming services. The integration of MPEG-H by Media Excel is destined to push TV broadcast in South Korea to a new level with the interactive and immersive features.

“Media Excel strives to deliver premium video quality and products by developing and integrating the most advanced technologies for our customers. We are pleased to announce the integration of the MPEG-H Audio software for our UHD HEVC Encoder, which will allow users to experience immersive and interactive sound through live television programming,” said Nikos Kyriopoulos, Product Director at Media Excel.

MPEG-H Audio is under consideration for next-generation UHDTV broadcast standards and is part of the A/342 audio candidate standard for ATSC 3.0.

For more information, visit www.iis.fraunhofer.de/tvaudio and www.mediaexcel.com.

Header image © Media Excel

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