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

MPEG-H Audio Metadata

MPEG-H Audio enables content creators to produce content that can be personalized and to deliver immersive experiences. The MPEG-H Audio system makes it possible to define multiple so-called presets in the creation process and to explore new creative options. The process of generating such metadata (e.g. presets) 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 and all information that the playback device requires in order to optimize reproduction and rendering to ensure the best audio experience on any platform. This means that MPEG-H Audio metadata requires just as much careful consideration as the audio essence. 

Scene Summary

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

ADM Conformance

The Audio Definition Model (ADM) according to ITU-R BS.2076 specifies a way of describing many types of audio content (including channel-, object-, and scene-based representations of immersive and interactive audio experiences) in a format based on Extensible Markup Language (XML). To this end, the 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 additional requirements for ADM metadata. 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 specification and any relevant ADM profile. 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 providing automated tests of 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 displays a summary of the conformance checks’ findings and indicates whether the provided content is supported by the MPEG-H Audio system. The tool also compiles a detailed report of all conformance issues that were encountered with respect to the MPEG-H ADM Profile and provides information on how they can be resolved.

Highlights of Version 1.0.0

• 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
• 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 MPEG­H 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)

1. Description

The MPEG-H Info Tool is free-of-charge software created by Fraunhofer IIS for the visualization of the metadata in content masters and the validation of ADM-based content against ADM profiles that can be ingested into the MPEG-H Audio system. It is intended for professional users only and available for Windows and macOS operating systems.

All tests are conducted by users themselves and in no event is a user permitted to claim any approval or endorsement by Fraunhofer of its products nor to give the impression that Fraunhofer is involved in any verification tests conducted by the user.

2. User qualification

Fraunhofer reserves the right to deliver the software at its sole discretion to qualifying users only and to deny access to the software without further explication to users that are not deemed to be qualified. Qualification is dependent on professional use of the user and shall be in conformity with German export control laws and regulations, as described in §5 of the Software License Agreement ‘Terms and Conditions on Licensing Software for Permanent and Gratuitously Use‘. In order to be approved, users must submit the information requested below.

3. Software license type

• The software license for the MPEG-H Info Tool is for permanent use as described in §3 Art. 2 of the Software License Agreement ‘Terms and Conditions on Licensing Software for Permanent and Gratuitously Use‘.
• The license is a multi-user license for 2-5 workplaces.
• Modifications, changes and reengineering of the MPEG-H Info Tool are forbidden.

4. Open Source Software

The MPEG-H Info Tool includes Open Source Software (OSS) which require their attribution. Details about the used OSS and its licensing conditions and copyright terms can be found in the downloaded MPEG-H Info Tool software.