Future audio technology

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In the coming year, the rapid development of digital signal processing, audio coding, digital content caching and wireless technology will meet the rising expectations of consumers. As a result, 2006 and beyond will be a new era of new products, new services, new equipment and new business opportunities. In the battle for the market that controls audio content and listening methods, it is inevitable that "a few happy families will be awkward." Now that the bonfire is not yet ignited, the four major audio markets and technology trends have surfaced.

Digital signal processor (DSP)

Digital signal processors have evolved into a powerful and cost-effective audio processing tool that makes home audio products even more powerful. As performance continues to evolve, future DSPs will be able to support multi-channel, computationally intensive audio processing algorithms. By integrating with microphones and speaker arrays, these ever-improving high-performance operations will automatically match the listening environment or automatically change their sound based on the environment.

Feeling inferior sound in a big room is like being in an empty movie theater. And when the comfortable, real sound surrounds the exquisite living room, it becomes a private home theater, and will never bother neighbors. Or, you can wear your headphones and feel the reality and vividness of the cinema. You only need to select the audio environment and the speakers or headphones, and the DSP operation can adjust the audio playback accordingly. For commercial use, the system will be able to automatically adjust to changes in room size (eg, via a variable dispenser).

In the near future, DSP will also support a wider range of auto-tuning features such as background sounds, echoes, audible feedback, and physical speaker/transducer anomalies. A variable sound environment will also improve computer games, music systems, and video entertainment systems.

In the case of a powerful DSP, a flat panel multi-function speaker array replaces the traditional mode consisting of front, rear and subwoofer auxiliary speakers, which greatly reduces the number of speakers and cables.

Audio codec

The MP3 format is probably the most popular digital audio encoding and playback format. Other audio encoders (such as MP3Pro, AAC, ePAC, AC-3, Ogg-Vorbis, and WMA) use similar perceptual sideband techniques. They are somewhat different in terms of data compression ratio and audio quality than MP3, requiring faster processors and more complex coding techniques.

To improve the quality of optical discs and FM radios, many encoders have easily achieved file size compression ratios from 12:1 to 24:1. Users typically compare the "quality" of these encoders/decoders with the "quality" of the audio CD. Perceptual encoder manufacturers define "disc quality" as "the quality that the listener cannot distinguish from disc audio."

SA (Structure Audio) is an electronic musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) that integrates compressed digital audio with commands using the Structured Audio Score Language (SASL). The audio structure orchestral instrument synthesis engine supports playback of most, if not all, instrument sounds. After the sound content is separately compressed, the synthetic orchestral music is used for synchronization processing during playback, and then the music is "played".

Since most sound data is synthetic (SA orchestral file instructions are similar to MIDI file instructions), the SA file size and compression ratio are close to 100:1. Since the replay device remixes the songs, the device can also choose the ideal mix based on the listening environment, such as 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS sound in a home environment, a headphone mixer for personal listening, and a car in the car. 4-channel mixer.

New Dolby encoders, Digital Plus, and MLP lossless compression deliver superior performance for the consumer audio, automotive, PC, and gaming markets.

The Dolby Digital Plus broadcast transmission rate is extremely efficient (5.1 channel audio propagation rate is less than 320kbps) and can carry at least 8 multi-channel audio programs. It also supports multiple languages ​​in a single encoded bitstream that will be played back in current Dolby systems.

Dolby MLP lossless compression is the core technology for multichannel and stereo DVD audio. MLP lossless compression enables encoding of up to 96 kHz/24-bit 6-channel audio or 192 kHz/24-bit 2-channel audio on a DVD-Audio disc.

Digital Content Cache and Network Technology

Storing your music collection in an MP3 player, cached or stored digital content (such as personal video recorders and MP3 players) can help you build your own "radio station" that is not disturbed by any commercials.

The network will increasingly be used to deliver digital content to users on demand, as well as to provide streaming digital audio/video that is comparable in performance to current broadcast media.

IP packet prioritization will help eliminate disappointing program interruptions. In order to reduce the network traffic of each group of data streams, so that it can accommodate more users, the data packets can also be transmitted to multiple different computers.

Improved digital content encoding algorithms and new network usage models will provide consumers with new broadcast and CD/DVD rental delivery channels. The regular digital music download service will still cover media such as TV shows, audio books, literature and movies at reasonable download prices. After the home theater, home entertainment networks and home audio and video systems will also be released.

A mesh network is like a fishing net that is sprinkled into an area, and a WiFi node is every section of the fishing net that is responsible for transmitting data from the central connection. Mesh networks are ideal for small towns, rural communities, industrial areas, campuses, and work groups. The mesh network is fairly stable, supporting data packets to be selected for transmission in multiple mountains, buildings, or jungles.

Continuous mobile internet access is achieved when driving within the mesh network area. By deploying an IP mesh connection for car entertainment systems with standard CD/DVD capabilities, users will be able to browse real-time or cached webcast content as well as streaming entertainment content.
Communities, IP services, and network companies have found that business models resulting from broad access are more profitable than individual user access. As a result, basic IP network access will be provided free of charge.

In the future, a wide range of personal WiFi devices will make a big difference in areas you are not familiar with. Instead of just entering the mesh network, you can "activate" these devices. For example, a portable GPS device with voice prompts will guide you to your destination. Even without a complete GPS system, the mesh network can report your specific location to you.

wireless technology

Some wireless technologies will greatly affect your audio future, including BluetoothTM, ZigBeeTM, RFID short-range wireless communications, and ultra-short-range magnetic sensing. All of these technologies create a very lightweight “personal information space” for you.

An open-proposed standard called the Multimedia Gateway Control Protocol (GMCP) will support the delivery of streaming content via BluetoothTM. The GMCP will be used first in car entertainment systems, but will also be easily extended to other uses, such as museum walks.

The magnetic field of the cellular phone is small and private inside the vehicle, and the magnetic sensing device can also support its hands-free operation. Bluetooth or ZigBee-based solutions do not work in such situations.

The RFID technology built into the mobile phone supports the use of the built-in hands-free device for talking while driving. When the engine is stopped, the phone returns to normal.

The hands-free car kit will use an array of microphones that automatically align the speakers, reducing background, wind, vibration, and entertainment. As a result, the clarity of the call and voice will also be greatly enhanced.

Buildings with wireless mesh networks can be equipped with IP microphone arrays to provide an audio security system for voice recognition and location. If the building collapses in an earthquake or other disaster, it can also help rescuers find residents who are besieged or injured.

Wireless IP speakers will also support the creation of intelligent public addresses or emergency notification systems.

The same wireless mesh network in the hospital and in the building group will support medical and security personnel to carry short-range lavalier wireless microphones for simple voice communication, two-way voice communication, and send automatic positioning information to the central dispatch system. Basic paging is done by the IP speaker of the entire building or the IP speaker of a particular microphone holder.

Similar techniques can also be utilized at home. With wireless Internet access points, elderly or frail patients can make calls when emergency medical assistance is needed. In order to keep them out of the way, these abilities will be packaged in miniature packages and built into items such as personal jewellery.

In public spaces that support wireless access, you can easily find and connect with your police and other emergency services personnel by simply tapping on your lavalier. If you have medical identification information, this device will also faithfully transmit the information. The security device will operate using the user's voice recognition mode.

When data is not sent over the link, the personal device can collect RF energy around the network, extending its battery life and reducing the frequency of recharging.

Changes in the home audio market

Disc-level sound is usually what most people mean by "high-quality audio." In the future, the demand for audio quality and higher digital sampling rates will increase. This also requires raw materials, DA (DVD-Audio) converters and other conversion schemes (such as Class D) to achieve good digital conversion to restore high-quality analog signals that are audible to the human ear. The human ear cannot hear the bits in bytes.

Consumers will be able to move away from the shackles of commercial media and easily create unique personal audio entertainment (new songs, amateur singer songs, internet audio programs, and audio blogs). As a result, the impact of commercial media will be weakened, and sales of commercial programs to consumers will be difficult.

New audio products will emerge and have access to both wired and wireless networks. In small voice mail, telephone and conference equipment, the display will also integrate the functions of audio speakers and microphones.

Speaker arrays in multi-channel audio/video entertainment systems will leave the era of cable chaos. The speaker array will also promote the birth of true split-screen TVs. The split-screen TV allows the viewers on both the left and right sides of the room to hear the sound of the screen on their side.

Digital HDTV will integrate indoor video conferencing and telepresence features, combined with beamformer microphones and speaker arrays to deliver outstanding speech intelligibility to one or more users in the room.

A microphone array with two or more microphones can improve speech intelligibility, reduce background noise, and be used in a wide range of products such as cell phones, personal computers, home audio/video systems, and more.

The speaker array will also be used to create a “sound cone” for small concentrated areas such as pavilions, museum displays, demonstration stands, and publicity stands. At the same time, users can also use this array to create a “quiet cone” to reduce noise in a concentrated area.

The voice activated bio ID system will be used for personal security and medical applications, indoor access, automotive, office and e-commerce security. Televisions, computers, lights, and other electronic devices can be operated with voice commands. "Sound to text" and "text to sound" systems will also become increasingly popular.

Automated entertainment and information systems will be customized so that each household can choose their own unique media content by using a personalized wireless headset or a two-way Bluetooth link.

Mobile and indoor systems will still interact with media providers. When you hear an ad, you can achieve the same effect of clicking a URL link on the Internet by speaking directly ("buy songs" or "more info"). You can then use the voice command to end the purchase transaction.

In the new audio environment, ads will automatically become shorter and consumers can ask more questions. “XYZ products are just right for you! Do you want to know?” During the quiet period after the ad ends, the device will detect if there is a voice response or if there is a button press on the wireless or video device. The total length of the ad is no more than 5 seconds.

Unfortunately, as content providers continue to intersperse product promotions into audio or video media, you will be plagued by more ads in the future.

In cars, voice prompts will inform traffic conditions, school and safe speed zones, road conditions, and emergencies. Information will be transmitted over wireless nodes on the mesh network or low-power RF antennas on the road. Due to two-way communication, passengers or drivers can quickly report accidents or other emergencies. At this point, the location will be automatically reported. However, since tracking passenger or driver actions involves privacy, this ability is limited.

In the new audio world where this brave man survives, who will stand out and who will be lost? The answer lies in: advanced technology. A company that can master both technology and social/economic priorities (such as ease of use, privacy, and the “cool” factor that is difficult to determine) will be the ultimate winner.

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