MPEG-4 is far more than just a codec or container — it’s a sprawling multimedia platform spanning 34 separate parts, from audio and video compression to interactive scene description and rights management. This guide maps the standard’s architecture, separates what succeeded from what didn’t, and untangles the patent landscape.
Born out of Apple’s QuickTime format, ISOBMFF underpins the ubiquitous MP4 container and countless derivatives. Here we explain the atom-based structure that made it so extensible and map the sprawling family of formats it spawned.
Media containers are the invisible infrastructure that holds audio, video, subtitles and metadata together in a single synchronized package. This guide maps the landscape of container formats – from legacy AVI to modern MP4 and MXF – and explains how to choose the right one for production, distribution or archiving.
From the six-channel 5.1 systems in living rooms, to the 24-channel arrays of theatrical Dolby Atmos installations, surround sound has evolved into a highly complex discipline. This guide maps the key formats and standards, and looks ahead to Next Generation Audio systems that adapt dynamically to any listening environment.
The AES standards library underpins professional audio engineering worldwide, from digital interconnects and synchronization to IP streaming and loudness. These are the standards that are the most relevant to broadcast and IP studio workflows; we examine what each one does and why it matters.
Founded in 1948, the Audio Engineering Society has been shaping professional audio standards for almost 80 years. We chart its rise and uncover how its standards are developed and acquired.
Metadata tagging is easily overlooked but essential for managing audio assets throughout a production workflow. Here we offer practical guidance on embedding and converting metadata across common audio file formats.
HE-AAC builds on the foundations of AAC to deliver near CD-quality audio at bitrates as low as 32 kbps, making it the codec of choice for mobile TV, digital radio and low-bandwidth streaming. This guide unpacks the key technologies behind its efficiency gains.
