Linear Acoustic Aero.one DTV audio processor flying high

Linear Acoustic is now shipping its compact Aero.one DTV audio/loudness manager and has announced a new promotion offer through June 12, 2009, the final DTV deadline.

The Aero.one was designed as a cost-effective solution to manage audio consistency issues between network and local programming. It reformats local stereo insertions to match the network’s six-channel audio feed while applying loudness and metadata control in order to maintain a consistent surround sound experience for viewers.

Its UPMAX algorithm operates in tandem with the company’s new AutoMAX-II auto-detection algorithm to generate downmix-compatible 5.1 surround audio where appropriate. AutoMAX-II implementation ensures that UPMAX processing is bypassed automatically when a 5.1 stream is detected, without switching artifacts or loss of dialog.

To guard against loudness variations — the number one viewer complaint —t he Aero.one applies multiband, multistage processing to manage discrepancies between network and local programming and local commercial insertions. When an incoming 5.1 audio stream is automatically detected, loudness control processing is bypassed and only protection limiting is applied.

The manufacturer is currently offering a free upgrade to include HD-SDI de-embedding, reprocessing, re-embedding capabilities and redundant power supplies. The option applies through June 12, 2009, the date for the analog broadcast switch-off.