AES Standards News Blog

AES69-2015 AES standard for file exchange - Spatial acoustic data file format, has been published.

This document standardizes a file format to exchange space-related acoustic data in various forms. The format is designed to be scalable to match the available rendering process. The format is designed to be sufficiently flexible to include source materials from different databases. 

Binaural listening is growing fast, because of growing sales in smartphones, tablets and other individual entertainment systems. The lack of a standard for the exchange of head-related transfer functions (HRTF) means each company keeps its binaural capture and rendering algorithms private. 3D audio is arising, and binaural listening could be the very first 3D audio vector with sufficient fidelity of HRTF. 

The use of convolution-based reverberation processors in 3D virtual audio environments has grown with the increase in available computing power. Convolution-based reverberators guarantee for an authentic and natural listening experience, but also depend on the acoustic quality of the applied directional room impulse response (DRIR).

With a standardized file format for HRTF and DRIR data, each company could contribute its best algorithms, providing good personalized capture and/or rendering, allowing the consumer to choose its best combination of technologies for the best quality of experience.

To obtain a copy of this standard, go to http://www.aes.org/publications/standards/ and search using "AES68", or go directly to:

http://www.aes.org/publications/standards/search.cfm?docID=99

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