This reference in the international accredited standard awards further recognition for Gaudio Lab's LM1 loudness normalization technology, which is able to provide a more comfortable audio experience using metadata technology to resolve lagging OTT consumer volume issues. Gaudio’s LM1 technology provides optimal sound levels tailored to a specific playback environment and device, regardless of types of streaming media services and platforms. The technology utilizes metadata to resolve volume deviation as audio signals are stored on servers to significantly reduce the risk of damaging or altering original content. The system also features advanced adaptability whereby it is easily activated to suit diverse listening environments.
The approach to the perceived volume problem, which has been addressed successfully in conventional broadcast standards for radio and TV, was integrated by Gaudio Lab in full compliance to recognized international and national standards, including ITU-R 1770 loudness measurement, EBU R-128 (Europe), ATSC A/85 (North America), TTAK.KO-07.0114 (Korea), ARIB TR-B32 (Japan), OP-59 (Australia), and more.
As signal processing is performed at the last stage of playback, any alteration and/or transcoding is avoided during content delivery. In addition, advanced metadata precisely controls the normalization gain to secure sound quality ("Quality Secure Mode"). Gaudio also provides diverse options depending on how loudness normalization should be implemented, including Strict, Basic, Quality Secure, Transparent, Album, and Dialogue-gated.
Device-specific loudness control (DSLC) is another unique feature, considering and compensating the loudness originated from a connected transducer and its frequency response.
The LM1 solution requires very low-bitrate metadata, with less than 100 bytes per program. As the loudness metadata is independently analyzed, transmitted, and decoded on top of any audio codec system, the system is completely codec-agnostic. For implementation in client devices, Audio Labs supplies a complete SDK with easy integration, intuitive API and accompanying target-dedicated example codes. The company also supplies onsite and remote technical support to ensure complete integration.
"The adoption of the CTA standard signifies that Gaudio Lab’s loudness management system is accredited as an audio innovation that can bring forward better sounding experiences to users on a universal level," says Henney Oh, CEO of Gaudio Lab. "We will focus on developing unique audio technologies from the perspective of end users in order to deliver even further enhanced listening experiences."
"The approval of this new standard helps to support the growth of continued innovation for loudness by describing a process for extrinsic loudness metadata that is matched to the coded audio," states Kerri Haresign, Director of Technology & Standards at CTA. "This standard builds off of ANSI/CTA-2075 which specifies how devices manage loudness, whether mobile or fixed, that receive OTT and OVD services and create audio output either through a built-in loudspeaker or through an interface to an external transducer or another A/V device."
All systems that comply with the CTA Standard, including iOS and Android mobile devices, TVs and automotive audio systems will be able to support enhanced loudness normalization through Gaudio Lab’s LM1. The approach was already standardized by the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) in December 2020, under the title ‘Metadata for Loudness Management of Streaming Services,’ paving the way for the Korean standard to become a global standard.
Gaudio Lab is an audio technology start-up, founded in 2015, short after the company’s spatial audio technology for headphones was adopted as the binaural renderer for the ISO/IEC MPEG-H Audio standard. Since then, the company has developed technologies and solutions for superior audio experiences, in platforms as diverse as earbuds, smartphones, OTT, VR/AR, theaters and more. The company is backed by top global strategic investors Softbank Ventures, Samsung Venture Investment and Naver, among others.
www.gaudiolab.com
