Many service providers around the world rely on FFmpeg for their ingest and encoding frameworks. Complementing its already existing xHE-AAC plugin, MainConcept now also provides the most flexible FFmpeg plugin for MPEG-H Audio. The plugin can easily be integrated into existing workflows and seamlessly used in FFmpeg-based environments, enabling the encoding and streaming of content with personalized and immersive audio.
In addition to the plugin, MPEG-H Audio has also been integrated into the MainConcept Live Encoder. The powerful all-in-one encoding engine simplifies widespread broadcast and OTT video workflows. An intuitive user interface allows the packaging of content for multiscreen delivery using common input sources in real time.
About xHE-AAC
xHE-AAC, the latest generation of the AAC codec family, offers several benefits to service operators and consumers. It can operate over a wide bitrate range, with seamless switching between bitrates for adaptive bitrate delivery using DASH or HLS protocols. It offers an improved quality at lower bitrates on speech content and improved stereo imaging. The codec comes with a mandatory loudness and dynamic range control for consistent playback loudness, and thanks to the Live Automatic Loudness feature in the encoder this works also for live inputs (such as streaming of concerts, sports events or news streams). xHE-AAC is supported in the latest Apple, Android, Amazon, and Microsoft operating systems. Fraunhofer estimates that two billion hours of on-demand xHE-AAC content are currently streamed each month by content providers including Netflix, Facebook and Instagram.
About MPEG-H Audio
From stereo to multichannel to immersive 3D audio, MPEG-H Audio has all the features needed to enhance viewer loyalty and advertising revenue. Already on the air in Brazil and South Korea, the Fraunhofer technology also powers Sony’s 360 Reality Audio music streaming available on Amazon Music, nugs.net, Sony Select, and Tidal.
MPEG-H Audio also enables the delivery of personalized audio complete with custom UI on the device. And all of this is fully under the creator’s control in a single stream with seamless, realtime switching.