Spatial audio encoder (or decoder), refers to the method or technique used to compress and transmit audio signals while preserving spatial information and enabling immersive audio playback. Its goal is to efficiently encode spatial audio content and deliver it to playback devices, allowing listeners to experience a realistic and immersive sound environment.
Spatial audio encoder uses advanced algorithms and signal processing techniques to analyze audio signals and extract spatial characteristics such as sound direction, distance, and room reverberation. By encoding this spatial information along with the audio content, it enables the recreation of a three-dimensional sound field during playback.
The main goal of spatial audio coding is to achieve high audio quality and immersive sound reproduction while minimizing the data bandwidth required for transmission or storage. This is achieved by exploiting perceptual audio coding principles, psychoacoustic models, and spatial audio playback algorithms.
Encoded spatial audio data can be transmitted efficiently over various communication channels, such as the Internet, wireless networks, or broadcast systems. On the playback side, spatial audio encoding is typically decoded by specialized audio decoders or processed by compatible audio playback devices. These decoders use the encoded spatial information to recreate the original spatial audio scene, giving the user an immersive and realistic listening experience.
Spatial audio coding finds applications in a wide range of fields, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), gaming, streaming services, and multimedia content production. It enables efficient streaming and storage of spatial audio content, allowing users to enjoy immersive audio experiences across multiple devices and platforms.