Both, stereo and surround signal are broadcast in one single stream, there is no need to simulcast stereo and multi-channel programs.

DAB Surround is compatible with existing stereo and mono receivers.

Surround quality is similar to that offered by discrete systems at substantially lower bit-rates, and superior to that achieved with matrix-based systems.

For mobile services, DAB Surround supports a binaural mode to play back surround sound over conventional stereo earphones.

In combination with HE-AAC v2 (DAB+), DAB broadcasters can provide 5.1 channel surround sound at a total bit rate of only 64 kbit/s or below

DAB Surround transmission chain

For the generation of DAB Surround bit-streams, Fraunhofer IIS offers an encoder for integration in any system or a complete all-in-one solution. The Fraunhofer DAB/DMB Content-Server™ is available as a professional broadcast solution with full DAB Surround support. The ContentServer for Eureka 147 Digital Audio and Multimedia Broadcasting is an easy-to-use encoder system for the DAB/DMB broadcast chain. It features real-time audio and video encoding in MPEG Audio Layer 2, MPEG-4 HE-AAC v2 (DAB+), MPEG Surround and MPEG-4 AVC, as well as the generation and insertion of almost any data service in PAD and NPAD, such as Journaline, Dynamic Labels and EPG.

• see also Fraunhofer DAB/DMB ContentServer, MPEG-4 HE-AAC v2, MPEG Surround, MPEG Layer 2

For playback on the PC receiver side a WinAmp Plug-in is available. Next generation DAB receivers can make use of Fraunhofers DAB Surround CDKs.

• see also MPEG-4 HE-AAC v2, MPEG Surround, MPEG Layer 2

• Technology Background
• DAB Surround product sheet (PDF)

• 12/22/2008: Ready for DAB Surround
• 11/28/2008: Fraunhofer IIS und der Bayerische Rundfunk kooperieren für den Bayern 4 Klassik Surround Radiotag am 28. Dezember 2008: Surround-Sound über DAB und im Internet (German only)
• 08/29/2008: ROCK ANTENNE: Weltweit erster DAB Surround Sender auf der IFA (German only)
• 10/25/2005: Erste europäische DAB Surround Sendungen (German only)
• 08/12/2005: DAB Surround: Natürlich Radio (German only)

• Fraunhofer DAB/DMB ContentServer R4
• DAB+
• MPEG Layer 2
• HE-AAC (v2)
• MPEG Surround
• SX Pro
• mp3 Surround for 5.1 web radio
• Journaline

Fraunhofer USA Digital Media Technologies*
Jan Nordmann
Phone +1 408 573 9900
codecs@dmt.fraunhofer.org
100 Century Center Court, Suite 504
San Jose, CA 95112

*Fraunhofer USA Digital Media Technologies, a division of Fraunhofer USA, Inc., promotes and supports the products of Fraunhofer IIS in the U.S.

www.dmt.fraunhofer.org