Fraunhofer IIS and Wohler Technologies announce that Wohler’s iAM-12G-SDI now supports MPEG-H Audio rendering. The new functionality expands the unit’s existing metadata analysis capabilities, enabling comprehensive monitoring of immersive and personalized audio productions in professional broadcast workflows.
The new functionality enables users to monitor, visualize, and analyze incoming MPEG-H metadata embedded in live production signals, such as SDI, before the encoding stage. Through an intuitive web browser-based user interface, operators can also interact with the personalization features of an MPEG-H audio scene, such as switching between audio presentations, selecting preferred commentary, or enabling dialog enhancement. In addition, users can verify loudness and DRC settings and render the signal to a variety of listening configurations.
These configurations include immersive loudspeaker setups of up to 9.1+4 channels, as well as downmix renderings to 5.1 and stereo. This enables broadcasters to assess how the content may be experienced in different playback scenarios. The system also supports binaural rendering for headphone monitoring.
By adding MPEG-H rendering, the iAM-12G-SDI gives broadcasters and media professionals a more comprehensive way to verify immersive and personalized audio content before encoding and distribution. This gives production teams greater confidence in MPEG-H Audio production and distribution workflows, allowing signals to be extensively analyzed before they are delivered to audiences.
“With MPEG-H Rendering in the iAM-12G-SDI, broadcasters can evaluate not only the metadata but also the resulting listening experience across a range of playback configurations,” says Adrian Murtaza, Chief Business Development Manager at Fraunhofer IIS. “This provides an important additional layer of quality control for immersive and personalized audio production.”
The enhancement builds on the ongoing collaboration between Fraunhofer IIS, a leading developer of MPEG-H Audio technology, and Wohler, a trusted provider of audio and video monitoring solutions for broadcast applications.
“The new functionality gives operators a practical way to verify MPEG-H content within established broadcast monitoring workflows,” said Craig Newbury, VP Global Sales and Marketing, Wohler. “It helps production teams identify issues earlier and work with greater confidence before content is encoded and delivered.”
The upgraded iAM-12G-SDI will be demonstrated during IBC 2026 in Amsterdam at both the Fraunhofer booth in hall 8 B80 and Wohler booth in hall 10 B12.
The MPEG-H Audio rendering upgrade is available now. Existing iAM-12G-SDI users can contact Wohler for upgrade options that enable MPEG-H rendering support.