CALM Act Inspires New Harris Loudness Management

Harris Corporation is addressing real-time loudness correction with the introduction of the Harris APM6803+ Multichannel Audio Processing Station, a key component to Harris’ comprehensive broadcast loudness management solution.

“The passage of the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) act to prevent needlessly loud commercials accelerates the process for which broadcasters are required to deal with loudness control and management,” said Harris Morris, president, Harris Broadcast Communications. “Harris is well-prepared to arm broadcasters with comprehensive tools that address loudness and advanced audio challenges present in today’s multichannel environment.”

The APM6803+ is a comprehensive solution for managing loudness and surround sound audio streams. Featuring DTS Neural Loudness Control, the APM6803+ uses critical band analysis for perceptual loudness measurements that preserves the spectral balance of the signal and delivers a natural, open quality not found in traditional multiband compression technology.

The addition of DTS Neural Surround UpMix, DownMix and MultiMerge provides unparalleled surround sound image placement and stability. Flexible user-defined workflows and intelligent metadata handling ensure that the right processing is applied at the right time, allowing broadcasters to meet regulations while preserving the artistic integrity of the content.

The APM6803+ is an audio processing system on a card and can be configured to support a wide variety of multichannel applications, including dual Dolby encoders and decoders, a full-featured SD/HD/3G-SDI audio/video frame synchronizer, and discrete AES inputs and outputs. This allows the APM6803+ to handle virtually any type of signal. Setup is simplified through a virtual stream interface that eliminates complicated routing and configuration menus.

The complete Harris loudness management solution features Harris Videotek QuiC file-based analysis and correction tools for ingest applications and the Videotek LLM-1770 real-time measurement and logging device for transmission and compliance applications. The LLM-1770 monitors audio levels leaving the stations on a constant basis and logs the data, allowing stations to confirm loudness patterns and compliance.

A dedicated loudness management station at the Harris booth highlights the APM6803+ as part of the complete three-stage, “triple play” demonstration, with visitors to the Harris booth able to hear the loudness control in action.

“The APM6803+ is designed to provide maximum flexibility to broadcasters,” Morris said. “It adapts seamlessly to any workflow by letting users dynamically choose when and how much correction to apply. With FCC regulation imminent, the highly expandable architecture and unparalleled audio processing power of the APM6803+ make it an ideal solution for broadcasters who need future-proof solutions.”