MPEG-H Info Tool 1.5.0

Getting an overview of an MPEG-H Master’s contents has never been easier!

^{MPEG-H Audio Metadata}

MPEG-H Audio enables creators to produce personalized content and to deliver immersive experiences. During production, the MPEG-H Audio system makes it possible to explore new creative options and to create multiple presets by defining the audio essence’s properties through metadata. The process of generating such metadata is called “authoring” and is one of the elements that sets MPEG-H Audio production apart from legacy content creation. Authoring results in a bundle that includes MPEG-H Audio metadata and audio essence, the “MPEG-H Master”. MPEG-H Audio metadata contains all control information required for user interactivity as well as the information the playback device requires to optimize reproduction and rendering for the best audio experience on this particular platform. This means that MPEG-H Audio metadata requires just as much careful consideration as the audio essence. More information.

^{Analyzing File Information with the Scene Summary}

The MPEG-H Info Tool (MHIT) provides an overview of all information associated with content masters, which are supported by the MPEG-H Audio system. These range from file-related information (e.g., date of creation, file size) to a representation of the metadata which is carried in the file (e.g., labels, number of presets). The Scene Summary provides a well-structured list of information with several levels of detail. The unfolded tree view shows all metadata of an MPEG-H Scene that is relevant for a close analysis of the details. In addition to providing information, the MHIT is also equipped with automated tests for ADM-based content.

^{Ensuring ADM Conformance}

The Audio Definition Model (ADM) according to ITU-R BS.2076 specifies a method for the description of many audio content types (including channel-, object-, and scene-based representations of immersive and interactive audio experiences) in a format based on Extensible Markup Language (XML). This ADM specification defines supported elements, sub-elements, and attributes with constraints on data types and values as well as requirements for relationships between elements. Interoperability in ADM-based ecosystems is achieved through specific ADM profiles. They are used to define the additional requirements that make ADM metadata compatible. The MPEG-H ADM Profile, for instance, enables native interoperability with the MPEG-H Audio system as defined in ISO/IEC 23008-3. This means that files from independent Next Generation Audio (NGA) content production and distribution systems that adhere to this profile are also compatible with the MPEG-H Audio system.

When creating software that generates ADM metadata, it is of critical importance to ensure conformance with the ADM specifications and all relevant ADM profiles. In case of conformance violations, tools trying to ingest ADM metadata may reject the content or behave in an unpredictable way. However, manually checking ADM metadata for conformance is a significant effort: It is a time-consuming task that requires meticulousness and in-depth knowledge of all relevant ADM specifications and profile documents.

The MPEG-H Info Tool can help with this task by automatically testing ADM-based content. The free tool runs a conformance framework equipped with exhaustive sets of checks derived from ITU-R BS.2076-2, ITU-R BS.2088-1, and ITU-R BS.2125-0 as well as from all ADM profiles related to the MPEG-H Audio system. After analysis, the tool summarizes the conformance checks’ findings and indicates whether the tested content is supported by the MPEG-H Audio system. It also compiles a detailed report of all conformance issues with the MPEG-H ADM Profile that were encountered and provides information on how they can be resolved.

^{Highlights of Version 1.5.0}

• Scene Summary showing the metadata carried in an MPEG-H Master
• Conformance checking of the ADM and S-ADM metadata according to ITU-R BS.2076-2, ITU-R BS.2088-1, and ITU-R BS.2125-0
• Validation of ADM-based content against ADM profiles that can be ingested into the MPEG-H Audio system
• Detailed reports on XML parser and conformance issues
• Export of the Scene Summary and the conformance report
• Supported input formats:
  • Scene Summary
    • BWF files (BW64 and RF64) with embedded <axml>, <bxml>, and <chna> chunks according to ITU-R BS.2088-1 (https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-BS.2088-1-201910-I) and conforming to the MPEG-H ADM Profile or other supported profiles
    • MXF files containing MGA signals with S-ADM metadata according to SMPTE ST 2127-10 and conforming to the MPEG­-H ADM Profile or other supported profiles
    • MPEG-H Production Format (MPF) files
      
    • MPEG-H Production Template XML files 
  • ADM Conformance:
    • ADM XML files according to ITU-R BS.2076-2 (https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-BS.2076-2-201910-I) 
    • S-ADM XML frame files according to ITU-R BS.2125-0 (https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-BS.2125-0-201901-I) 
    • BWF files (BW64 and RF64) with embedded <axml>, <bxml> and <chna> chunks according to ITU-R BS.2088-1 (https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-BS.2088-1-201910-I)
    • MXF files containing MGA signals with S-ADM metadata according to SMPTE ST 2127-10

^{How to get the MPEG-H Info Tool}

The MPEG-H Info Tool is a software tool created by Fraunhofer IIS. It is part of the free-of-charge MPEG-H Authoring Suite (MAS). It is intended for professional users only and available for Windows and macOS operating systems. More information and download.