International organisation for standardisation

USAC Verification Test Report

The Convenor expressed the strong interest in having the performance of the USAC Common Encoder Reference Software tested in the USAC Verification Test. The Chair noted that he has repeatedly stated in MPEG plenary that the results of USAC Verification Test would be available prior to the close of the USAC DIS ballot, and that Yonsei University experts and ETRI experts indicated that the software would not achieve a sufficient level of performance before the late 2011 timeframe (e.g. October 2011).

The Convenor proposed two paths forward:

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  Issue the USAC DIS in July, and refer National Bodies to the USAC Call for Proposals subjective test results, which already show the target performance for the RM0 technology. The USAC Verification Test is delayed until the USAC Common Encoder Reference Software is ready.
  
• 
  Delay the USAC DIS until after the USAC Common Encoder Reference Software is ready such that the Verification Test report can be made available prior to close of the DIS ballot.
  

Bernhard Grill, FhG, stated that his company is ready to go to market with USAC product, and cannot see how the MPEG or the marketplace will be served by delaying the standard or the Verification Test. He further stated that he pledges to commit FhG resources for a second USAC verification test in the late 2011 timeframe that could test the performance of the USAC Common Encoder Reference Software as compared to the USAC Reference Quality Encoder.

It was agreed that the way forward shall be:

• 
  Execute the Verification Test Workplan as discussed in the Audio Subgroup such that the results are available in early July and process the USAC DoC and issue the UCAC FDIS at the July MPEG meeting.
  
• 
  Conduct an additional USAC Verification Test in late 2011 that will test the performance of the USAC Common Encoder Reference Software as compared to the USAC Reference Quality Encoder.
  

Gregory Pallone, Orange Labs, noted that binaural and multichannel tests could be performed during the additional USAC Verification Tests.