WORKSHOP SESSIONS
Tuesday, February 22, 1999
Sessions W12-W15

W12:SHOULD NETWORKS HANDLE AUDIO?

Tuesday, 22 February, 09:00 h � 11:30 h
Workshop Chair: Mark Yonge, Solid State Logic, UK USA

As digital audio techniques become dominant, computers become faster and network bandwidths increase, traditional methods of moving audio from place to place must be re-assessed. Why would you continue to use tape? This workshop explores the future of moving audio between professional production processes and will look at some alternatives.

W13: SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY THROUGH PUBLIC ADDRESS AND TELECONFERENCING SYSTEMS

Tuesday 22 February, 09:00 h � 11:30 h
Workshop Chair: Peter Mapp, Consultant, UK

This workshop will focus on the influence of loudspeaker and room acoustic characteristics on the perceived intelligibility of voice. Aspects such as loudspeaker directivity, frequency response and distortion will be discussed, together with the effects of S/N and D/R ratios and echo perception. Methods of measurement and prediction will also be presented after an illustrated introductory talk presenting current knowledge. The discussion should be helpful to loudspeaker manufacturers, and to PA and sound reinforcement system designers.

W14:RADIO@INTERNET: A PROGRESS WITH SEVEN-LEAGUE BOOTS?

Tuesday, 22 February, 14:00 h � 16:30 h
Workshop Chair: Gerhard Stoll, Institut f�r Rundfunktechnik, Germany

The Internet's impact on broadcasters has changed from its initial position as a site for posting broadcasting information to its emergence as a valuable additional medium to reach new customers through streaming audio and new interactive concepts using push and pull technologies. Audio, which is still using only a small part of the capacity of the Internet, has become a window to the World Wide Web � audio information delivered via IP, downloading or online streaming. Several software companies are developing the necessary tools to distribute audio and video on the Internet with the goal to develop the Web into a new mass medium, compared to traditional audio or video broadcasting.

W15: USE OF CAD TOOLS IN ROOM ACOUSTICS AND SOUND REINFORCEMENT SYSTEM DESIGN

Tuesday, 22 February, 14:00 h � 16:30 h
Workshop Chair: Jacques Martin, CSTB, Grenoble, France

A lot of effort has gone into developing CAD tools for the acoustic design of auditoria and sound reinforcement systems. Several powerful systems are now on the market (some with auralization), and results issued from these software programs can often be seen on technical reports. This workshop will address the following questions: What are these tools actually used for by acoustic consultants and other professionals? What are their true technical capabilities and limitations? How do they combine with other design methods? What is their commercial interest for convincing clients? How could they be improved? Participants will include acoustic consultants, sound system engineers, and researchers.