BCD Audio press announcement
London 22nd May 2012
Mike Law of BCD Audio comments on the proposal for multichannel audio using AES3
AES-3 is the standard for interconnection of stereo audio signals between studio equipment. The standard originated from the SPDIF format used in CD players in the 1980s , and has evolved to allow sample rates to 192KHz stereo, and to transport multichannel compressed audio at the 48Khz sample rate.
AES3 is the standard for interconnection of stereo audio signals between studio equipment. It originated in parallel with the SPDIF format during the 1980s, and has evolved to allow sampling frequencies to 192 KHz stereo, and to transport multichannel compressed audio at the 48 KHz sampling frequency.
An AES standards committee now has an active project, with which I am involved, that would allow more audio signals to be carried with similar hardware to AES3. The project title is AES-X196, Multichannel Audio in AES3 . The standard is in early draft form, as it is a new concept, and interested parties are welcome to visit http://www.aes.org/standards/meetings/init-projects/aes-x196-init.cfm or to the current project status at http://www.aes.org/standards/meetings/project-status.cfm or to the SC-02-02 meeting reports at http://www.aes.org/standards/meetings/ to access more information on the project.
AES-X196 is based upon the idea that eight 48 KHz signals could be carried across a 192 KHz link, and four 48 KHz signals across a 96 KHz link.
This idea is attractive, as broadcast audio has standardised on 48 KHz sample rate, but most AES3 compatible hardware is capable already of operating at the higher sample rates.
Currently in a Broadcast environment, the transport of surround sound and multichannel audio requires either encoded compressed audio , or multiple linear stereo links, and the new idea would simplify this.
Compressed audio requires expensive hardware and introduces considerable signal time delay. The distribution of multichannel audio across multiple stereo links is also unattractive, as many links are required and great care is needed to ensure that the correct audio signals are distributed and routed as a group. AES-X196 would solve both of these problems.
Another advantage of AES-X196 is in point-to-point links. If a single link is available between two locations that currently carries stereo, the new standard would allow that same link to carry more audio signals. This is important in existing installations, as it is often impossible to add more cable without lifting floors, digging up roads etc. Existing point-point transports ( such as ATM) might be able to pass the new signal.
An AES-X196 transmitter would be capable of operating with 2, 4 or 8 audio signals, and would be fully compatible with AES3 in 2 channel mode. Channel status information is carried with the audio, to identify the new modes.
An AES-X196 receiver would detect the correct mode, and extract 2, 4 or 8 signals accordingly, that would be fully compatible with existing AES3 2 channel signals.
Completely asynchronous routers, bypass switches, would be directly compatible. Existing AES3 distribution amplifiers might be compatible , provided they can carry the higher rates, and sample rate converters if present are disabled.
Large audio routers would need to be adapted to handle the new signal. If only a few inputs and outputs were required to conform to AES-X196, this could be easy to implement. New designs could be capable of all modes on all ports, including AES3.
There might be resistance to change from the existing AES3 standard, as some of the currently installed hardware would not be directly compatible. Initially it can be imagined that AES-X196 signals would only be used where the equipment was compatible, and this in itself is useful, as in point-to-point links.
Units that combine AES3 signals into AES-X196 feeds and split out AES-X196 into AES3 signals would be available that would make the migration easy to implement anyway.
BCD intend to develop units to implement the standard that will arise from project AES-X196. These units will be based on FPGA technology, to allow for a degree of experimentation. Other parties are expected to implement practical designs too.
The applications of AES-X196 set out here are as seen by BCD and should be read as my opinion, and not the AES; others will no doubt see other advantages and disadvantages.
About Mike Law:
Mike Law started out with an early passion for electronics and a summer job allowed him to work at UK mixer manufacturer Alice, where he learnt about broadcast audio, and 3 years at Birmingham University where he learnt about PA systems, lighting and putting on bands, culminating in an honours degree in Electronic Engineering.
Mike worked at Alice, designing audio mixing consoles until redundancy allowed him to set up his own UK company with the help of two Swiss recording studios, with the aim of producing a digitally controlled music console. The ideas behind that console is the basis of much digitally controlled analogue audio in use today.
His company, BCD Audio continues to this day, and Mike has become a specialist in designing digital and analogue audio systems, and has kept up with the times, and can now talk DSP and VHDL when he can find someone to converse with.
Mike is an associate of the IPS, a member of the AES, and is on the SC-02-02 committee, and is a member of the IET.
About BCD Audio:
Established 25 years ago to provide high quality audio systems for radio and television broadcasting, BCD Audio s in-house skills were immediately sought after by prestige clients including the BBC and ITV companies. Today, BCD Audios designs are heard and seen all over the world, keeping broadcasters on air 24/7.
The product range has grown from pure analogue engineering to fully embrace todays digital w
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
12/05/2026
Beyond the Hype: A Strategic Post-Hoc Analysis of NAB 2026 If NAB Show 2026 had an underlying theme, it was a quiet, industry-wide pivot from the high-energy sp...
12/05/2026
Guntermann and Drunck (G&D), a Panoptec Technologies Group company, and CT Square, led by Chandresh Shah, have announced a joint venture to distribute G&D and V...
12/05/2026
With 30 days until the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Telemundo, the exclusive Spanish-language home of the tournament in the United States, has announced th...
12/05/2026
The NHL has announced the return of Stanley Pup for its third consecutive year, a 90-minute special featuring adoptable rescue dogs competing on a miniature rin...
12/05/2026
NBCUniversal presented its 2026 Upfront to advertisers at Radio City Music Hall, detailing upcoming programming across NBC, Peacock, Bravo, and Versant properti...
12/05/2026
FOX Sports has announced funding for the Fandom and Social Connection Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Publ...
12/05/2026
TNDV and Live Media, both divisions of Live Media Group, supported live broadcast coverage around NCAA Final Four weekend in Indianapolis, including the March M...
12/05/2026
The European Football Alliance (EFA) has announced a content distribution agreement with Fubo Sports Network, the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel ...
12/05/2026
For the first time, Spanish-speaking fans in the U.S. will have two separate tel...
12/05/2026
CP Communications led a comprehensive spectrum management initiative on behalf of Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week, coordinating RF assets across the ...
12/05/2026
LiveU has announced a strategic partnership with DRONERESPONDERS, a 501(c)3 non-...
12/05/2026
Open Broadcast Systems has announced that BMC TV, a specialist in IP transport of broadcast content, has selected the Open Broadcast Systems 5G Flyaway solution...
12/05/2026
NEP Europe, part of NEP Group, has announced it will deliver broadcast solutions...
12/05/2026
Grass Valley has announced continued collaboration with Ravensbourne University ...
12/05/2026
Stats Perform has announced the launch of Opta Pulse, an AI-assisted video creation and distribution platform for leagues, rights holders, and broadcasters. The...
12/05/2026
FOX Sports has announced a collaboration with Sesame Workshop to integrate Sesame Street characters into FOX Sports' FIFA World Cup 2026 programming. Conten...
12/05/2026
To date, NHL Productions has produced 19 broadcasts with commentary in American Sign Language
NHL in ASL (American Sign Language) may be just one show, but the...
12/05/2026
Google's Brian Albert: creators, athletes, highlights, nostalgia, second-scr...
12/05/2026
A still from Past Lives by Celine Song, an official selection of the Premieres program at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. (Courtesy of Sundance Institute | p...
12/05/2026
Spotify is where fans and artists come together, turning discovery into somethin...
12/05/2026
Features patented Marco-MMC clocking technology
Black Lion Audio's latest release combines the company's expertise in clocking with their renowned p...
12/05/2026
New Track Panel, sequencer upgrades & more
Following their recent public beta release, Reason Studios have announced the full release of Reason 14. With the...
12/05/2026
One month to go! SBS reveals expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup beyond the pi...
12/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz presents its advanced solutions for power electronics testing at...
12/05/2026
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, has developed a modified fund raising p...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Tyrell Corporation, specialists in high-end live sports and entertainment broadcasts, was tasked with delivering compelling broadcast coverage of premier equest...
12/05/2026
Registration is now open for IBC2026 as the global media, entertainment and technology community prepares to converge on the RAI Amsterdam from 11 14 September ...
12/05/2026
Ross Video, a global leader in live video production technology, will present its latest innovations and integrated production workflows at BroadcastAsia 2026, ...
12/05/2026
500 selected leaders from around the world across start-ups, corporates, and venture capital. Over 50bn in assets under management among attending investors, a...
12/05/2026
CVP, one of Europe's leading suppliers of professional video and broadcast solutions, has appointed Randy Koeman as Sales Manager, Netherlands, marking anot...
12/05/2026
Taiwan Television has expanded its HD content ingest workflow capabilities by investing in the PlayBox Neo Suite - a leading multi-channel multi-server UHD/HD/S...
12/05/2026
Jigsaw24 is strengthening its media team with the appointment of Tom Laker as Client Director and Ashish Chauhan as Project Manager. These strategic hires bring...
12/05/2026
Broadcast playout leader showcases hybrid IP infrastructure and workflow automation with Videoland deployment as regional benchmark...
12/05/2026
dzjinius, the all-in-one production management platform for the media and entertainment industry, will showcase its centralised approach to production workflows...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
NUGEN Audio will debut Version 1.1 of DialogCheck, its intelligent dialog intelligibility and compliance tool, at the 2026 Media Production & Technology Show (S...
12/05/2026
The reactive visuals can adapt to any stage or screen setup and comprise 50 layers of Notch content
Today, Disguise announced that its high performance GX 3 m...
12/05/2026
Snapgrid , Snapbag & Airglow Expand Creative Control for the ARRI Modular LED BarFollowing the launch of the ARRI Omnibar, DoPchoice introduces a dedicated li...
12/05/2026
May 12th, 2026 Press Materials Available Here
TRIBECA FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2026 GAMES PROGRAM
Tribeca Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary With World Premieres and Pl...
12/05/2026
May 12th, 2026 Press Materials Available Here
MADONNA BRINGS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF CONFESSIONS II TO 2026 TRIBECA FESTIVAL
The Global Icon Will Unveil a Cine...
12/05/2026
Customer demand for data continues to grow in the first quarter of 2026 at Magya...
BCD Audio press announcement
