MPEG Source Coding of Audio Signals

Abstract

The digital television of the future will also have digital associated sound. In this way an audio quality can be achieved which is far better than that obtained with the FM transmission system used in analogue television. However, in order to keep a digital television transmission within the realms of a realistic bandwidth, a suitable bit-rate reduction of the audio source signal is required. Moreover, the transition to a digital associated sound should offer the content providers the opportunity to choose between various data rates and thus between various qualities of audio signals. Furthermore, several alternative methods (such as dual-channel audio, stereo, surround-sound etc.) should be available to the content provider. It goes without saying that certain compatibility requirements must be satisfied so that each receiver is in a position to decode the audio signal regardless of which system or bit rate has been chosen by the content provider.