At some point, everyone goes on a quest.

And just like there’s all sorts of people, there’s all sorts of quests.

Some people go on a quest to find love. Others try to find the cheeseburger they feel they deserve. Some folks hunt for vintage jeans once worn by 90s celebrities.

Then there are those people who go on a quest to produce better sound quality and better listening experiences.

Those people drive innovations in the field of audio tech.

And those innovations are what we’ll be talking about in this blog.

Let’s throw the spotlight on a particular innovation: an audio codec that fulfills the quests of audio experts. It’s called MPEG‑H.

What’s MPEG‑H?

So MPEG‑H is a next-generation audio codec conceived by Fraunhofer IIS (the same institute who came up with the famous MP3). The MPEG‑H codec was developed into a standard by the international media standardization body MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group).

Unlike traditional audio codecs, MPEG‑H is built to deliver ​“immersive” audio experiences. What does immersive mean in this context, and what other cool features does it have?

• 3D audio
  
  MPEG‑H provides spatial sound, or immersive sound, that can create a three-dimensional audio space. So the listener feels like they’re closer to the sound and action, as if they’re right inside the sound source. Check out this term: ambisonics. With this 3D audio capability of MPEG‑H, soundwaves are directable.
  
  
• Interactive audio
  
  Users can personalize their audio experience. You can select presets, or mess with categories. By adjusting particular audio elements such as dialogue and background music levels, you may bend volume to your will.
  
  That level of choice amps up accessibility, too. Since audio description is customizable, people with sight or hearing loss can enjoy TV and movies a lot more. (Here’s more on our recent accessibility collaboration, btw.)
  
  
• Efficient compression
  
  The codec ensures high-quality audio at lower bitrates, saving bandwidth usage.
  
  
• Versatility
  
  MPEG‑H supports various applications like streaming, broadcasting, even virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

Who uses MPEG‑H?

In Korea, the TV standards ATSC, DVB, and TTA (Korean TV), and in Brazil, SBTVD (Brazilian TV) use MPEG‑H. And the world’s first terrestrial UHD TV service in South Korea uses the codec as its only audio system.

In August of 2024, Fraunhofer, with partners Hisense and Globo, announced the rollout of a variety of Hisense TV sets in Brazil equipped with MPEG‑H Audio capabilities.

Globo, the biggest media company in Latin America (and a longtime customer of Unified Streaming), chose the audio tech from Fraunhofer over others for broadcast.

Hisense, Globo’s partner and the largest TV manufacturer in China, collaborated with the Brazilian broadcaster to ensure that the advanced audio features of MPEG‑H could play well with its TV sets.

Does Sony use MPEG‑H, too?

Yes. Ever heard of 360 Reality Audio, from Sony?

Well, MPEG‑H is under the hood for 360 Reality Audio. Artists and music creators can adjust sound sources like vocals, chorus, and instruments in space to suit their own creative taste and aesthetics. It’s all about matching what they set out to hear. In a sense, 360 Reality Audio seeks to honor artistic intent.

So the content creator’s in the driver’s seat. Sound goes where the creator wants it to go.

Um, what’s Unified Streaming got to do with all this?

Well, if you didn’t know, Unified Streaming is a leading provider of streaming technology. We’re known for even-keeled and flexible solutions. (That’s enough brazen marketing speak for today.)

By integrating MPEG‑H support, Unified Streaming helps make the delivery of high-quality audio content possible. Here’s more, below.

Key benefits of Unified Streaming w/​MPEG‑H

1. Enhanced audio experience
   
   With MPEG‑H support, Unified Streaming enables broadcasters and OTT services to offer immersive and interactive audio experiences to their audience. This includes 3D audio and personalization features that can keep viewers watching.
   
   
2. Broad compatibility
   
   Unified Streaming ensures that MPEG‑H content can be seamlessly delivered across different devices and platforms, maintaining consistency in audio quality and experience. Which is handy.
   
   
3. Efficient streaming
   
   Leveraging MPEG‑H’s efficient compression, Unified Streaming can optimize bandwidth usage, crucial for delivering high-quality audio content over the internet without buffering issues.
   
   
4. Future-proofing
   
   As the media landscape shifts towards more interactive, personalized, and immersive formats, MPEG‑H support means that Unified Streaming’s customers are ready for the next wave of audio innovation.

Wrap up

As the demand for high-quality audio continues to grow, MPEG‑H integration with Unified Streaming tech helps solidify the future of excellent sound.

By adopting MPEG‑H through Unified Streaming, you’re not just keeping pace with technological advancements — you’re setting a new standard for what audio experiences can be. Whether you’re in broadcasting, OTT services, or interactive media, this partnership offers a pathway to delivering the next generation of audio content to your audience.

For more on the MPEG‑H codec, check out https://​www​.iis​.fraun​hofer​.de/….

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