International organisation for standardisation

Profiles

Kristofer Kjörling, Dolby gave a presentation on two profiles proposed for USAC. These profiles are supported by Apple, Dolby, FhG, Philips, Sony and VoiceAge. It was noted that the technical experts stating the support speak for their company’s respective product and marketing representatives.

The proposed HE-AAC V3 profile plays all content, i.e. AAC, HE-AAC V2, HE-AAC V3 and USAC (baseline, 2-channel), while the proposed Baseline USAC profile would play mono, stereo and 5.1 channel USAC material.

The Requirements Chair noted that there is rapid integration in the portable device marketplace, and hence voiced support for the V3 profile.

David Singer, Apple, voiced support for both profiles. However, he feels that the V3 name is not adequate.

Gregory Pallone, Orange Labs, noted there is no technical support for the V3 profile. He quoted from an MPEG-4 document that discusses profiles. He noted that this profile would be technically useless and could lead to confusion in the market since the functionality provided by this profile can be supported using a straightforward combination of USAC Baseline and HE-AACv2 profiles. There has already been some confusion between HE-AAC V1 and HE-AAC V2, and this confusion could be stronger between HE-AAC V2 and HE-AAC V3. Indeed, it is a fact that a HE-AAC V2 decoder cannot decode a HE-AAC V3 bitstream. This was not the case for a HE-AAC V2 bitstream, which can be decoded by a HE-AAC V1 decoder.

The Requirements Chair stated that profiles are created by market pull as enabled by an engineering view of the technology. He requested that there be a “technical exploitation roadmap” in support of the profiles. Explicit support from

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  IPR companies that facilitate licensing
  
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  Service providers
  
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  Product producers
  

He further stated that that one company’s objection cannot derail the process.

Werner Oomen, Philips, note that the support expressed is from major consumer electronics companies, and that their past track record in supporting MPEG technology should be considered.

The Audio Chair indicated that he will ask for clarity in the Chairs meeting.