While the two frontrunners in the NGA codec stakes are similar in many ways, a comparison of their background and frame of reference gives some interesting insights, writes John Maxwell Hobbs.
The two leading implementations of Next-Generation Audio (NGA) are Dolby AC-4 and MPEG-H 3D audio. Although they are both based around a central set of recommendations from the ITU, they have different origins, advantages, and limitations.
Dolby AC-4 vs MPEG-H 3D Audio: Background
Multi-channel audio broadcasts have been around since 1881, when Clément Alder connected pairs of telephone lines to send stereo audio from the Paris Opera to rooms at the Paris Electrical Exhibition. Between 1890 and 1932, audio programmes using this technology were commercially available in France and England. Since that time, broadcasting has gone from a single audio channel to as many as 22...
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NAB Show New York: The stakes could not be higher
As media, technology, and politics become increasingly intertwined, the stakes extend far beyond the balance sheet.
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6G-Holonet: Bringing Star Trek’s comms system to reality
As the 6G-Holonet project sets its sights on live entertainment, cultural heritage sites, and immersive media, Alex Buchan, Chief Technology Officer, DTG, reveals the key technological considerations that have ensured the project’s impact.
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ULL-timate goal: How streamers are prioritising ultra-low latency
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RTS Convention: “The prize for standing still simply isn't an option”
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Companies from across the Content Everywhere ecosystem highlight what they see as some of the most promising industry developments at IBC2026, while calling out areas where they think the industry has room for improvement.
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