LAS VEGAS—San Diego-based personalized audio tech vendor Verance Corp. is using this week’s NAB Show to demonstrate new consumer-facing ATSC 3.0 features that it hopes to soon introduce to pay TV operators.
These features leverage the Aspect audio watermark, which was selected by the Advanced Television Systems Committee as part of the ATSC Next Gen TV standard. Also employed is Dolby AC-4, a new audio solution from Dolby Laboratories.
The Aspect watermark enables broadband-connected TVs to discover and launch interactive audio experiences over 1.0 or 3.0 over-the-air or through traditional cable, satellite and telco services.
Dolby AC-4, meanwhile, enables automatic generation of audio with enhanced dialog within all programming. It also allows broadcasters to offer many alternate languages.
Personalized audio provides broadcasters with a tool to introduce two-way connectivity to their existing service offerings, while automatically improving the consumer experience and increasing viewer engagement.
At NAB, Verance is showcasing the following features:
> Dialogue Enhancement, which enables viewers to improve program dialogue by bringing it forward relative to background noise, such as music or sound effects.
> Audio Replacement, which allows viewers to switch the default language and choose from multiple languages or video descriptive service.
> Alternative Commentary, which permits viewers to select commentary from other sources when watching content, including live broadcasts; for instance, the director’s cut of a movie or a favorite hometown announcer while watching a live network sports event.
“We are constantly looking for ways to deliver value to viewers and increase ROI for broadcaster partners,” said Nil Shah, CEO of Verance, in a statement. “Because Aspect is compatible with all distribution paths and even 1.0 broadcasts today, ware able to bring Next Gen TV experiences—including personalized audio and program guides, advanced emergency alerts and catch-up TV—to more households more quickly.”