LANCASTER, Pa. — Feb. 11, 2009 — Linear Acoustic, the leading authority in loudness control and upmixing solutions for digital television, today announced that NBC affiliate KSL 5 TV in Salt Lake City is using its AERO.air™ 10-channel TV audio processor to control audio levels and to create surround sound from the stereo-only components of KSL 5 TV broadcasts. The AERO.air offers unique processing functionality in a compact, cost-effective solution that enables KSL 5 TV to deliver compelling 5.1-channel surround sound.
"Like many broadcasters, we experienced a lot of problems with varying audio levels for network and local programming, particularly during playout of news and sports," said Brent Robinson, chief engineer at KSL 5 TV. "We needed a way to address this discrepancy in loudness levels and even out audio volume, and the Linear Acoustic AERO.air has proven to be a wonderful solution. We noticed a significant difference immediately upon implementing the processor, and we haven't received any comments about disparities in audio loudness since that day."
Engineered on the foundation of the company's supremely successful first- and second- generation digital television audio processors, the third-generation AERO.air enables broadcasters to deliver compelling 5.1-channel surround sound while saving time, money, and space. The AERO.air also represents the world's first TV audio processor to feature built-in Dolby® Digital (AC-3) encoding.
The comprehensive AERO.air is equipped with multiple loudness controllers, dual upmixers, and metadata management, as well as full-time two-channel downmixing to support legacy stereo or analog paths. Built-in AutoMAX-II™ processing detects incoming audio and automatically upmixes only when necessary, producing a full-time compelling 5.1 channel output. The processor accepts 5.1 channel network audio, two-channel local audio, SAP/DVS, and digital or analog auxiliary/EAS audio for processing. Available options include HD/SD-SDI input for de-embedding any of the possible 16 audio channels and vertical ancillary (VANC) metadata, internal 5.1+2 dual Dolby Digital (AC-3) encoders, and CrowdControl™ dialogue protection.
The AERO.air is available in three configurations to support needs ranging from simple dual stereo to 10 channels. Customers can purchase with confidence knowing that their investment can be upgraded to the fully featured version by purchasing an update that can be installed via the front panel in just minutes.
"KSL 5 is among the growing number of broadcasters that rely on Linear Acoustic audio processing to address the volume inconsistencies that television viewers find so annoying," said Christina Carroll, vice president of sales and marketing for Linear Acoustic. "Stations already have processing for analog television, and they now understand that they require processing for digital television, as well. Our integrated AERO solutions handle loudness control for stereo and surround sound programs, support metadata, and provide ATSC-required audio encoding in a single plug-and-play box optimized for delivery of DTV audio."
More information about the AERO range of audio processing solutions from Linear Acoustic, visit the company's Web site at www.linearacoustic.com.
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About KSL 5 TV
KSL 5 TV is an NBC affiliate based in Salt Lake City-. The station, owned by Bonneville International, serves both the metro and outlying areas extending into parts of Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming. KSL 5 TV broadcasts include both network programming and local news and sports coverage. More information is available at www.ksl.com.
About Linear Acoustic
Linear Acoustic, a Telos company, is the leading authority in loudness control and upmixing solutions for digital television. The company designs and manufactures the award-winning AERO range of audio processing solutions and licenses key technologies such as UPMAX 5.1 channel upmixing to OEM partners. The company participates in standards work within the AES, IEEE, BKSTS and EBU, is a member of the ATSC, and is a sustaining member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. Linear Acoustic is also proud to have provided its UPMAX:neo™ 5.1-channel upmixer for NBC's coverage of the Beijing Summer Games. More information is available at www.linearacoustic.com.
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