mp3 Surround
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits
mp3 Surround
- Overview
- Applications
- Availability
- Related press releases
Overview

mp3 Surround is the surround extension for the popular mp3 format. The technology enables high-quality surround sound at bit-rates comparable to those currently used to encode stereo mp3 material. mp3 Surround is fully compatible with existing mp3 software and devices.
| For free mp3 Surround evaulation software please visit http://www.mp3surround.com/ (opens in new window) |
| For mp3 Surround music, please visit www.all4mp3.com (opens in new window) |
- Full multi-channel capability (including 5.1 format)
- Very low data rates for multi-channel sound comparable to those for current stereo mp3
- High quality audio
- Comprehensive backward compatibility to existing mp3 players and devices
Applications
Internet Broadcasting:
mp3 Surround enables mp3 Internet radio stations to stream their programs in 5.1 surround sound without incurring increased bandwidth requirements or additional transmission costs. A number of high-profile radio stations have already begun streaming in mp3 Surround, namely France's Radio Classique and, in Germany, Rock Antenne and Antenne Bayern.
Surround Sound Content Creation
mp3 Surround offers content providers a highly accessible pathway to the provision of surround music for playback and surround setups. Users of content-creation software can create and edit their mp3 Surround music.
Surround Playback Software
mp3 Surround upgrades any audio playback software to 5.1 surround sound. WinAmp supports mp3 Surround version 5.5 and beyond.
Music Download Services
mp3 Surround provides the option for offering multi-channel mp3, while ensuring continuing compatibility for stereo users.
Gaming
mp3 Surround provides an easy and cost-effective method for the implementation of surround music and audio effects in games. Since May 2008, Playstation 3 plays back mp3 Surround files.
Availability
Availability Fraunhofer IIS offers mp3 Surround demo software and all relevant Shoutcast components for mp3 Surround webradio for free at www.mp3surround.com.
mp3 Surround Decoder object code and source code are available for:
- PC (Win/MacOS X/Linux)
- PowerPC embedded
- TI C64, OMAP, DaVinci
- TI C67 (4 weeks after order)
- ARM
- MIPS
- ADI Blackfin
- Starcore, TI C55 and Freescale (Motorola) Coldfire (only source code)
- Apple iPhone® SDK
- PC (Win/MacOS X/Linux)
- PowerPC embedded (under development)
- TI C64, OMAP, DaVinci (under development)
- TI C67 (4 weeks after order)
- ARM (under development)
- MIPS (under development)
- ADI Blackfin (under development)
- Starcore, TI C55 and Freescale (Motorola) Coldfire (only source code, under development)
- Apple iPhone® SDK
For a quick overview, the pdf file below provides a summary of our product offering: Licensing of mp3 Surround is handled by Technicolor. For further information, please visit www.mp3licensing.com.
Related press releases
- 04/11/2011: Experience Sonnox Franhofer pro-Codec Plug-in at NAB
- 01/12/2011: Revolutionary Mastering Solution for Online Distribution
- 08/29/2008: mp3 Surround Webradio: ANTENNE BAYERN and ROCK ANTENNE live in best 5.1 surround quality (German)
- 05/03/2007: Radio Classique selects mp3 Surround for 5.1 surround sound Internet radio
- 01/18/2007: mp3 Surround Sound for Internet Radios



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