AES60-R Review of AES60-2011, AES standard for audio metadata - Core audio metadata.
This project has an outstanding goal to harmonize with EBU T3293 as appropriate. However, there was no representative from the EBU metadata group present at the meeting to discuss this point on this occasion.
One point arose from an e-mail sent via David Ackerman concerning the addition of a loudness metadata set to AES60 that was discussed. The chairman had sent this e-mail to the reflector in early April but had no response to date. He felt that it was understandable that manufacturers may well require an unambiguous location and clearly set out attributes for loudness metadata. The chair had noted that AES41-5 has added a loudness metadata set added recently and proposed the possibility that a set based on this may also be used in a future AES60 revision. The meeting raised the question of the AES41-5 being relevant internationally as it is based on EBU loudness requirements. It was felt that views should be sought from those working on the EBU, ITU and IEC loudness standards on this point as AES41-5 describes an optional extension to Broadcast Wave file format while AES60 describes core metadata that is expected to be implemented worldwide across many formats.
As there seems to be a divergence of proposals on loudness, the meeting felt that it would be sensible to call for contributions on this point at the next US meeting once experts could be contacted to explain the divergent points within the loudness community. The AES will need a method to encapsulate the international requirements for loudness metadata if it is to be included here. This question raised the issues of how later versions of EBU T3293 will deal with loudness and particularly for the AES, whether technical metadata should be in AES60 at all but supported in a separate standard.
It was later proposed that a separate technical audio metadata set that could include loudness metadata information and it was also proposed to look at the optional Audio Technical Attribute String (4.2.9.6.4) in AES60 to understand how this will fit into the overall approach to supporting loudness metadata and technical metadata in general.
It was also noted that IEC TC100 is working in TA4 to revise IEC 60958 part 3 so that it can include the EBU loudness metadata and this has reach CD stage. The IEC is keen to carry loudness metadata along with the audio no matter what transport or physical media it is carried on. The IEC is also working on a new standard to describe the production methods for loudness metadata and are looking to collaborate with broadcasters and production companies to gather information for this work.
AES-R9 AES standards project report - Considerations for standardising AES metadata sets
No action was requested or required.
Development Projects:
AES-X071 Liaison with SMPTE Registration authority.
No action was requested or required
AES-X098C Administrative metadata for audio objects - Process history schema
D. Ackerman continues to work on a revised draft. To be progressed.
AES-X144 Metadata Review
The meeting was informed of the ever increasing use of metadata within live performance areas generally. This includes metadata associated with audio acoustics and PA management. It was felt that this is important for the AES and this group in particular and the chairman said that he would look for a proponent of this area to discuss possible work for this group at the next meeting.
AES-X155 AES standard for audio metadata - Production recording metadata set (iXML)
This project is awaiting secretarial drafting but is otherwise very close to the call for comment stage. This will be completed during the summer.
Liaisons:
There were no liaison issues.
New Projects:
The Chairman will raise a new project proposal to work on an audio technical metadata schema as discussed in the AES60 section of the meeting.
New business:
There was no new business.
The next meeting will be scheduled in conjunction with the AES 135th Convention in New York, NY., US., 17 to 20 October 2013.
