The freely available software for broadcast and streaming professionals provides support in creating Audio Definition Model (ADM) metadata that is compliant with the ADM specification and the MPEG-H Audio System.
The Audio Definition Model is one of the hottest topics when it comes to professional audio production formats in the world of broadcast and streaming today. The ADM specifies a way of describing many types of audio content, including channel-, object-, and scene-based representations for immersive and interactive audio experiences. To mark the release of the Fraunhofer ADM Info Tool, we have compiled some information on ADM-based content and the role of the new software.
What does the ADM do?
The Audio Definition Model according to ITU-R BS.2076 defines an open metadata format for generation, exchange and archiving of Next Generation Audio (NGA) content in post-production workflows. A serial representation of the ADM is specified in ITU-R BS.2125 and defines a temporal segmentation of the ADM for use in linear workflows such as real-time production for broadcast and streaming applications. Both specifications are based on the Extensible Markup Language (XML) and define supported metadata elements with constraints on data types and values as well as requirements on relationships between elements.
What is the purpose of ADM profiles?
ADM profiles define additional application-specific metadata constraints which are needed to achieve interoperability in ADM-based content ecosystems. Those ADM profiles incorporate the specific requirements for production, distribution and emission. To ensure interoperability with existing NGA workflows, applications adopting the ADM format should be able to convert native metadata formats to ADM metadata and vice versa such that artistic intent is preserved in a transparent way. For instance, the MPEG-H ADM Profile enables native interoperability with established NGA content production and distribution systems for MPEG-H 3D Audio as defined in ISO/IEC 23008-3.
The MPEG-H ADM Profile can be downloaded for free from the Fraunhofer IIS website.
What is the Fraunhofer ADM Info Tool and what does it do?
When creating software that generates ADM metadata, it is of critical importance to ensure conformance of the resulting XML code with the ADM specification and any relevant ADM profile. In case of conformance violations, applications trying to ingest ADM metadata may reject the content or behave in an unpredictable way.
The Fraunhofer ADM Info Tool is a software utility that provides automated conformance tests for ADM-based content and thus support in creating profile-conform ADM metadata. The tool runs a conformance check framework equipped with exhaustive sets of checks derived from ITU-R BS.2076 and ITU-R BS.2125 as well as all ADM profiles supported by the MPEG-H Audio System. After analysis, the tool displays an overview on the findings of the conformance checks and indicates whether the provided content is supported by the MPEG-H Audio System. In order to fix conformance violations, the tool gathers detailed reports of any encountered conformance issues and provides information on how they can be resolved.
The Fraunhofer ADM Info Tool is available for macOS and Windows. Professional users can register for the free download at the Fraunhofer IIS website.
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