ATSC 3.0 Next Generation Audio (NGA) System Demystified

Technology truly is a train that just keeps on rolling. With the world preparing for yet another advancement in personalized entertainment experience, acronyms are being thrown around like dice on the craps table. What does it all mean and how will any of it benefit the consumer?

Let’s take a deep dive into what a Next Generation Audio System can really do by looking at what’s happening in South Korea.

Linear Acoustic® AMS Authoring and Monitoring System is a comprehensive solution for real-time authoring, rendering, and monitoring of advanced audio programs for the ATSC 3.0 Digital Television System. The audio system in ATSC 3.0 provides listeners with a personalized, immersive audio experience using Next Generation Audio (NGA) technologies, including MPEG-H. AMS simultaneously delivers advanced audio for ATSC 3.0 broadcasts and 5.1-/2-ch audio for ATSC 1.0 broadcasts.

Everyone knows a bad reference can cost you a promotion or a job opportunity, but it can also be the source of frustrating intermittent television audio problems.

The widespread use of embedded SDI signals in lieu of discrete AES I/O makes dealing with clock reference a bit easier since the reference is an inherent part of the SDI bundle, but it doesn’t eliminate clock-related issues altogether.

Building on insight and history in the television broadcast industry, The Telos Alliance created a new division to focus on the expanding needs of the TV audio market. Titled the “TV Solutions Group” (TVSG), the knowledge and resources of the two Telos Alliance TV brands, Linear Acoustic and Minnetonka Audio, are combined to provide a wide range of products, solutions, consultation, and custom development. Read more about TVSG here.

Here's the first of many TVSG tech tips:

New FCC rules concerning how television broadcasters provide local emergency information to the vision-impaired went into effect this year, and TV engineers need to ensure their facilities are in compliance. Fortunately, the Linear Acoustic® AERO.100™ / AERO.1000™ / AERO.2000™ series of loudness managers may offer a solution for some broadcasters.

It’s common knowledge in the television industry today that the CALM Act has had a significant impact on broadcasters who now have to pay very close attention to audio levels. But compliance regulations have reinforced the importance of good audio to content creators and production houses as well.

NBC's 5.1 audio provided courtesy of Linear Acoustic®

Cool fact: Over 219 million Americans tuned in to enjoy the 2012 London Summer Games, making it the most watched event in US television history. Extra cool fact: Every second of the audio heard by those viewers was monitored through or processed by a Linear Acoustic product!