Fraunhofer IIS, primary developer of the xHE-AAC audio codec, and Ferncast, a provider of audio logistics for radio streaming and podcasting, cooperated on the integration of xHE-AAC encoding into the aixtream streaming software.
Radio has been entertaining and informing its listeners since the early 20th century. To keep up with changing media consumption habits and technological advancements, providers are increasingly adding streaming to their portfolios. This modern addition to traditional radio delivers superior sound quality, accessibility across various devices and new features like on-demand usage. This evolution ensures that radio remains relevant and continues to meet the needs of its audience in the digital age.
Ferncast’s software solution for podcasting and streaming helps radio stations provide their program to end points from kitchen radio to smartphone in a variety of formats. With the integration of Fraunhofer’s xHE-AAC audio codec for live and on-demand content encoding, Ferncast now enables streaming providers to deliver content in outstanding quality at all times. The latest generation of the renowned AAC codec range ensures uninterrupted, adaptive streaming of all types of content as well as consistent loudness. Radio stations can benefit from the increased coding efficiency and loudness capabilities of the latest AAC family member. xHE-AAC encoding enables seamless audio bitrate switching over DASH and HLS with a usable bit rate range that spans from 12 kbit/s to 320 kbit/s and above for stereo services. Due to the built-in mandatory support of MPEG-D DRC loudness and dynamic range control, xHE-AAC provides the best user experience on any device and in any listening environment.
“We claim to offer the most innovative solutions for radio,” says Tobias Dornbusch, Product Specialist at Ferncast. “The integration of xHE-AAC into aixtream ensures that we deliver on that promise. Thanks to it, our customers can provide high-quality streaming even at low bitrates, securing a high degree of listener satisfaction and engagement, which in turn helps them meet their business goals.”
“Ferncast’s aixtream is a modern solution that is very flexible in its application thanks to its cloud-based approach. Through its industry-leading efficiency, quality, and flexibility, xHE-AAC is the perfect audio codec for such solutions,” explains Christian Simon, Business Developer Media Technologies at Fraunhofer IIS. “That’s why this combination is currently tested by German public broadcaster ARD who want to maintain great streaming efficiency while ensuring the best experience for their customers on all device types.”
xHE-AAC playback is natively supported in billions of consumer playback platforms including Microsoft Windows 11 as well as in the operating systems of Google, Amazon, and Apple. Netflix and other service providers are delivering billions of hours of xHE-AAC content each month.
About Ferncast:
As an audio logistics company, Ferncast develops software and hardware solutions for audio workflows in broadcasting, and offers services and consulting connected to their extensive expertise. The core product is aixtream, a 24/7 software solution for OTT, DVB, SIP/WebRTC, STL, DAB, FM, Logging, Recording and more, which Ferncast continuously develops and improves. It runs as server appliance, virtual machine, containerized on AWS and other cloud services as well as on hardware.