Metadata issues for ATSC audio

The audio decoder in a consumer digital television (DTV) receiver conformin g to the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) specification needs t wo types of data in order to work properly. The data stream it receives mus t contain coded audio as well as audio metadata. Audio meta-data is a group of parameters that describes the audio program data being transmitted and controls some aspects of how the audio program is presented in the consumer 's receiver. This paper will provide an overview of the audio metadata para meters. It will discuss the purpose of the parameters and how they ave chos en. The paper will also discuss,the effect that each of these parameters ha s on domestic receiver operation. The operational implications of authoring the different parameters at different points in the production or distribu tion chain will be examined. Some different methods for authoring the metad ata will also be proposed. These methods will include those necessary durin g the transition period when proper metadata authoring and monitoring equip ment may not exist.