SMPTE creates cinema sound technology committee
Published: ASIA
WORLD: The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) has created a new technology committee named TC-25CSS, which is dedicated to cinema sound.
‘Improvements in measurement technology, digital sound delivery and in sound reproduction equipment – as well as the greater detail and dynamic range of movie soundtracks – all present a variety of challenges in providing quality cinema sound,’ said Brian Vessa, executive director of digital audio mastering at Sony Pictures Entertainment, and chair of the new SMPTE committee.
‘Existing SMPTE standards and recommended practices help to minimise variations, but cinema sound quality today is highly dependent on the skill, talent, training and hearing acuity of the adjusting technician,’ he added. ‘TC-25CSS will explore and standardise new sound measurement techniques with the goal of consistency in sound reproduction between the mixing stage and diverse cinema spaces.’
TC-25CSS was formed following an extensive study that was conducted by the Theater B-Chain Study Group. The committee currently has 130 members, representing more than 90 companies and academic institutions from 14 countries.
‘The introduction of digital cinema is helping to provide consistently high quality image displays,’ said Hans Hoffmann, head of production technology for the EBU and SMPTE standards vice president. ‘Sound is at least as important in the movie theatre experience. The committee will work to ensure that the latest science and technology are used to allow cinema-goers to enjoy the full impact of the sound experience as created in the mixing room.’
TC-25CSS will work to standardise techniques and tools for optimising sound systems and theatre acoustics. Current activities include the development of a recommended practice for measurement and calibration of B-chain sound systems using modern standards and measurement technology, the creation of a standard pink noise test signal, and a final report on data and findings from the Theatre B-Chain Study Group. Two new study groups are also examining immersive audio systems and new electro-acoustic measurement methods and target curves.
‘This is the first time since the late 1970s that cinema sound has been addressed in depth,’ said Mark F Collins, director of projection technology for Marcus Theatres. ‘Over the past three decades, we've seen huge changes in audio technology, and our hope is that through the work of the new SMPTE technology committee and its subcommittees, the tools used to measure audio signals will be brought into tune with today's technology. With signal-testing tools that support very consistent audio quality throughout the industry, cinema owners can provide very good presentations and assure movie creators that what's being reproduced in the field is consistent with the studio mix.’
SMPTE is hosting a webcast on March 12th named ‘Cinema Sound Systems – Raising the Bar Through New Standards’, where Mr Vessa will discuss topics such as current SMPTE standards, the new committee's work, and the impact of new cinema sound systems on the standards-creation process.
The webcast is free, and those interested in registering may do so here.