Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS

MPEG SAOC

MPEG SAOC - Spatial Audio Object Coding

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Overview

The MPEG standard SAOC (Spatial Audio Object Coding) is a unique technological tool designed to suit a wide variety of applications – from conferencing and broadcast to music remixing and even karaoke. Combining a compact representation of the audio data with user interactivity, SAOC enables highly efficient transportation of individual audio input signals in a compatible mono or stereo downmix, making it particularly attractive for online music distribution or transmission over channels with limited bandwidth. Moving, amplifying or muting the individual audio signals is easily achieved, while the technology is compatible with a comprehensive range of reproduction devices, including stereo and multichannel loudspeaker systems, and stereo headphones with binaural rendering.

 

  • Bit-efficient transmission of large number of audio objects in a backwards compatible downmix
  • User-interactive rendering of audio objects on decoder side
  • Flexible playback (surround setups, stereo setups or headphones)

Applications

MPEG SAOC is designed to suit a wide variety of applications – from conferencing and broadcast to music remixing and even karaoke:

 

  • Next generation teleconferencing M
  • Music 2.0: Interactive remixing / karaoke
  • Interactive Gaming
  • Personalized Broadcasting

Availability

The standardization of SAOC within the MPEG working group of ISO/IEC was finalized in early 2010. Fraunhofer IIS offers an evaluation package for hard- and software manufacturers to test the potential of SAOC.