Fraunhofer IIS Introduces MP3 Surround Sound for Internet Radios

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS is introducing a new mp3 surround streaming module that allows manufacturers to build web radios featuring true 5.1 surround sound. Visit booth R35.01 to learn more about mp3 surround and many more innovative technologies for the music business.

Mp3 surround compresses surround music in a highly efficient way and is fully backward compatible with existing mp3 players. With the mp3 surround streaming module, high-quality surround music can now even be streamed over the internet at bit rates normally used for stereo mp3. This allows mp3 web radios to introduce surround music in a smooth, compatible, and cost-effective way and to distinguish themselves from stereo-only competition. The first radio station streaming a multi-channel music program using mp3 surround is the Erlangen based campus radio bit eXpress. At Midem, Fraunhofer IIS demonstrates the new WinAmp mp3 surround plug-in and a Flash-based web radio. The WinAmp plug-in is also available for download on http://www.mp3surround.com.

Besides mp3 surround, Fraunhofer IIS presents many more innovative surround music technologies at Midem such as Ensonido for play back of surround sound over stereo headphones, MP3 SX for upgrading stereo mp3 files to mp3 surround, and SX Pro the professional tool for upmixing any legacy stereo material to multi-channel sound.

Please find more information on http://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/amm.

Founded in 1985 the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen, today with 480 staff members, ranks first among the Fraunhofer Institutes concerning headcount and revenues. With the development of the audio coding method MP3, Fraunhofer IIS has reached worldwide recognition.

It provides research services on contract basis and technology licensing.

The research topics are: Audio and video source coding, multimedia realtime systems, digital radio broadcasting and digital cinema systems, integrated circuits and sensor systems, design automation, wireless, wired and optical networks, localization and navigation, imaging systems and nanofocus X-ray technology, high-speed cameras, medical sensor solutions and communications technology in transport and logistics.

The budget of 58 million Euro is mainly financed by projects from industry, the service sector and public authorities. Less than 20 percent of the budget is subsidized by federal and state funds.