DTS announced that DTS-supported content encoding will be available in May 2016 through Microsoft Azure’s Media Encoder Premium for OTT streaming services. Enabling broadcast-quality streaming to virtually any device in the world, the Azure Media Services Premium Encoder allows media companies to rapidly and efficiently design and launch scalable, cloud-based media processing applications, workflows and services on-demand, while dramatically reducing their IT implementation and maintenance costs.
The technology integrates a studio-quality processing engine with automated decision-making logic and advanced metadata processing while supporting input and output codecs and file formats such as 4K Ultra HD in AVC. With DTS encoding, content owners can choose from a variety of premium audio features, including DTS-HD-compatible streams for streaming at up to 7.1 surround sound.
“Media Encoder Premium, part of Microsoft Azure Media Services, gives top OTT services the ability to encode and package DTS-enabled content with minimal investment and engineering lift,” said Ronny Katz, vice president, streaming solutions and business development, DTS, Inc. “This helps our content partners focus on what they do best, which is deliver a premium entertainment experience to their connected consumers, whether on an XBOX One, Samsung connected TV, or mobile platform.”
“Our content partners are always looking for the best, be it 4K UHD video, world-class content protection, or studio grade workflows,” said Sudheer Sirivara, general manager, Microsoft Azure. “The addition of DTS audio to the Media Encoder Premium gives content owners the ability to offer the world-class audio that DTS is so widely known for.”
DTS has recently teamed up with LiveTV and video-on-demand content service company, Nowtilus, to deliver a surround sound experience targeted at the pay TV operator and broadcaster market. The solution will feature DTS Headphone:X technology for mobile devices, as DTS has demonstrated on its booth at the 2016 NAB Show in Las Vegas.
In the partnership, Nowtilus and DTS present a market-ready solution for converting a broadcast signal and delivering it with multi-channel surround sound to mobile and connected OTT devices that include DTS Headphone:X technology, through any pair of headphones or earbuds. The ready-to-market OTT delivery solution has integrated components from Unified Streaming for just-in-time packaging and streaming, as well as castLabs’ mobile player SDK featuring DTS Headphone:X technology.
HD Radio Technology At NAB 2016
Acquired by DTS in October of last year (http://audioxpress.com/article/DTS-to-Acquire-iBiquity-Digital-Corporation), HD Radio technology is the only digital broadcast system approved by the FCC for AM/FM radio in the U.S. offering new FM channels, crystal-clear sound and advanced data services with no subscription fees. HD Radio technology was built into approximately 37% of cars sold in the U.S. in 2015 across all 36 available vehicle brands and more than 200 models. More than 2,300 radio stations have upgraded to HD Radio technology, including 98 of the top 100 stations in the top 10 U.S. markets.
The latest updates from HD Radio, presented at the NAB 2016 show, include a variety of new car models arriving on the market this year featuring HD Radio receivers, including the Hyundai Ioniq, Kia Niro, Toyota Mirai, Toyota 86, Audi R8 Spyder, Lexus LC and Alfa Romeo Giulia. The Acura NSX will feature DTS Neural Surround technology as well.
New monitors from a variety of top brands, including Inovonics, Belar, Deva, Day Sequerra and Audemat, now enable broadcasters to monitor time and level alignment to automatically enhance the quality of the HD Radio broadcasts. Live monitoring of the HD Radio broadcast is now available in the top 50 radio markets in the US to ensure a consistent, high-quality consumer experience.
In Canada, seven stations are currently live broadcasting HD Radio.
“HD Radio technology continues to provide a high-quality experience for millions of listeners,” said Jeff Jury, general manager, HD Radio and automotive, DTS, Inc. “We feel strongly that the continuing roll out of HD Radio enabled cars and DTS premium sound will play a key role in optimizing future generations of in-car entertainment for many years to come.”
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