It enables 5.1 channel surround-quality sound for a broad spectrum of applications.
mp3 Surround will enable 5.1 channel surround-quality sound for a broad spectrum of applications including web-based music distribution, broadcasting systems, PC-related audiovisual or gaming applications, consumer electronics and automotive systems.
PORTABILITY - mp3 Surround supports high-quality multi-channel sound at bit rates comparable to those currently used to encode stereo mp3 material, resulting in files half the size of commonly compressed surround formats. The 16kbs file size overhead for the additional 3.1 channels is very small. This enables content creators to easily share mp3surround files.
COMPATIBILITY - mp3 Surround features complete backward compatibility to existing mp3 software and hardware devices, including PCs, DVD recorders and players, automotive, gaming and other applications. Surround-capable headphones are currently under development.
QUALITY - mp3 Surround creates a distinct, psycho-acoustically discrete 5.1 channel surround sound quality, comparable to DVD at half the bit rate.
PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE - Software Development Kits (SDK) will be made available for current (and new) licensees, as well as free tools and sample content for software developers, content creators, and other potential users. Our release of free software enables content creation by users from existing 5.1 surround material. mp3surround has no additional licensing costs, thus, we expect implementation by many, if not all, licensees.