Dolby Promotes Dolby AC-4 Solution for Broadcast and Streaming Services

With the transition to immersive audio formats which are object-based, Dolby is promoting its new AC-4 audio coding system to bridge both conventional channel-based audio and new immersive formats on next-generation broadcast and streaming services. The solution is available now for product development and is targeted for consumer availability starting in 2017.

The Berklee Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship issued a report on fairness and transparency in the music industry, highlighting the evolution of music in the digital age. The study explores the underlying challenges within the current compensation structure while proposing solutions to improve licensing, revenue transparency and cash flow for musicians.

I promised to come back to Apple’s announcement of Beats1 Worldwide Radio as part of its Apple Music service. From one perspective, it is a great promotional idea—not much different from those great video ads Apple puts out. It will certainly stimulate awareness for traditional radio and Apple can afford to spend the money. So, no harm done. But that’s it.

Some audio manufacturers seem to be following the same familiar paradigm regarding file distribution and streaming audio as they have previously done with physical media formats. The problem is, in areas such as media players, servers, DACs and the like, the audio industry no longer dictates the rules.

Why did Apple destroy the iTunes interface by removing Cover Flow? What makes Spotify successful? Why did Beyoncé's husband bought TIDAL? Why did record stores closed? Why did some folks decide they had enough and went back to vinyl? Will High-Resolution Audio (HRA) make a difference?

While consumers increasingly use new music streaming services, they also want AM/FM radio to remain the same. According to a new research by Ipsos Research, over 9 in 10 want the way they operate their car radio to remain unchanged, and would not want it changed into a dashboard app. The research also found that, in the car, CD usage is over three times that of any other digital music service.

Do you remember when radio was a primary sound source on any home stereo system? When was the last time you shopped for a new radio tuner? Chances are the last radio tuner you bought came with your car or integrated receiver amplifier. Nevertheless, radio broadcasting is still one of the world’s most important and popular media services, mostly because it’s free, it’s easy to find something interesting to listen to, and it works.