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.