Linear Acoustic Unveils World’s First Professional Audio Encoder and Decoder to Utilize Coding Technologies’ MPEG-4 aacPlus and Dolby-E Metadata Support
aacPlus 5.1 surround sound encoder and decoder will help streamline adoption of aacPlus for digital broadcasting
NAB, Las Vegas, April 24, 2006 — Coding Technologies, the leading provider of audio compression for digital broadcasting, mobile media and the Internet, and Linear Acoustic, a leading innovator of audio processing equipment for broadcast, announced today that Linear Acoustic has developed the world’s first aacPlus surround-sound encoder and decoder to accommodate Dolby-E Metadata format directly throughout the broadcasting transmission chain. Such functionality will dramatically simplify the integration of the Linear Acoustic range of encoders within existing broadcast environments, and speed the adoption of the aacPlus audio compression format for digital multichannel broadcasting.
The two complementary units — AEROMAX-aacPlus Professional Encoder and Decoder — can be seen at NAB2006 on the Linear Acoustic Booth (C2507B/5.1 Pavillion).
Coding Technologies’ aacPlus audio codec is standardized across a variety of platforms as a compression format for digital audio, including DVB, MPEG, 3GPP and other international standards. In digital broadcasting, aacPlus has a proven track record as the audio codec for XM Satellite Radio. Compared to current 5.1-channel coding systems, including Dolby AC-3, aacPlus reduces broadcasting bandwidth and transmission costs to less than half, and frees up limited bandwidth resources for additional programming in fixed, existing channels.
“With the introduction of aacPlus for 5.1 surround sound, broadcasters now have a choice of formats,” says Linear Acoustic president/founder Tim Carroll. “MPEG-4 aacPlus is the most advanced audio codec available today. It is exciting to make this choice possible with a professional broadcasting encoder product.”
“Linear Acoustic has clearly taken an enabling role by bringing competition to digital broadcasting,” says Stefan Meltzer, vice president of business development at Coding Technologies. “Innovative products such as this aacPlus encoder/decoder combination are creating real value for broadcasters and consumers alike. Added value is the essence of the emerging digital broadcasting markets today.”
Coding Technologies
Coding Technologies provides the best audio compression for mobile, broadcasting, and Internet. SBR (Spectral Band Replication) from Coding Technologies is a backward and forward compatible method to enhance the efficiency of any audio codec; putting the “PRO” in mp3PRO and the “Plus” in aacPlus. Parametric Stereo from Coding Technologies and Philips again significantly increases the efficiency of audio codecs for stereo signals at low bit rates. Products from Coding Technologies are fundamental enablers of open standards such as 3GPP, 3GPP2, MPEG, DVB, Digital Radio Mondiale, HD Radio, and the DVD Forum.
Coding Technologies is a privately held company with offices in Sweden, Germany, and Silicon Valley. Founded in 1997 in Stockholm, the company later merged with a spin-off of the renowned Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, the inventor of MP3. Coding Technologies’ customers include America Online, EMP, iBiquity Digital, KDDI, mmO2, Nokia, Orange, RealNetworks, SK Telecom, Sprint, T-Mobile, Thomson, Texas Instruments, Vodafone, and XM Satellite Radio.
For more information, visit www.codingtechnologies.com.
Linear Acoustic
Linear Acoustic is the designer and manufacturer of the acclaimed AEROMAX-TV, StreamStacker, upMAX and AutoNorm technologies. The company has been involved in projects with Sirius Satellite Radio, Microsoft, major terrestrial networks, multiple local stations, HBO, Viacom, Disney, Miramax, Sony Studios and others. It is also actively involved in the ATSC and other industry organizations, as well as being members of the AES, IEEE and a sustaining member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE).
Company founder Tim Carroll previously served as Product Manager, Professional Audio Division, at Dolby Laboratories, where he helped define and develop Dolby Digital, Dolby E, and Dolby Surround products for HDTV, DVD, and Digital Cinema. He is also co-inventor of a patent-applied-for audio dynamic range processing system for professional and consumer applications. Tim remains actively involved in the creation of Digital Television standards and practices and is currently the chairman of the Standards Evaluation Working Group (SEWG) and of the Audio Issues Ad-hoc Group of the ATSC. He also authored “Audio Notes,” a monthly column for “TV Technology” magazine.
Linear Acoustic, Inc., 354 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603, USA | www.linearacoustic.com
Press contact
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Coding Technologies GmbH
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