Dogan Media Group adopts EBU R128 with Jünger
Published: MEA
TURKEY: Dogan Media Group has become the first broadcaster in Turkey to adopt EBU R128 loudness recommendations after investing in Jünger Audio’s R128 compliant broadcast audio loudness control equipment. The sale was made through the manufacturer’s Turkish distributor Radikal Elektronik.
Dogan Media Group was keen to embrace the latest international standards on broadcast audio loudness so that it could give its viewers a more enjoyable audience experience. To this end, the company began looking for a technical solution that would allow it to control broadcast loudness without impacting on overall sound quality.
After consulting with Radikal, Dogan Media invested in three D*AP LM4 four-channel digital audio processors for use at Kanal D, CNN Turk and TV2. Incorporating Version II of Jünger Audio’s Level Magic algorithm, D*AP LM4 is compliant with all current broadcast audio loudness recommendations including ITU 1770 (versions 1, 2 and 3), ATSC A/85, ARIB TR-B32 and EBU R128.
‘Simplicity of use and reliability, combined with good local support, were all important considerations when it came to choosing a loudness control solution for our television channels,’ said Timur Kul, Kanal D’s technical director in charge of audio. ‘Jünger Audio was able to meet all of these criteria and we are very happy with the results we are achieving with the D*AP LM4 processors.’
Mr Kul adds that sound quality was also an important factor in the choice of the units. ‘The loudness solution we chose had to be transparent so that our channels continued to sound like we wanted them to sound and were not coloured by the sound of the units,’ he explained. ‘Jünger Audio’s solution was able to do this admirably as the processors do not play with the character of the audio. We love the results we get with them.’
Dogan Media Group’s decision to embrace loudness control is one that other Turkish broadcasters are likely to follow, reasoned Sarp Yelkencioglu, managing director of Radikal Elektronik. ‘We are noticing more interest in audio quality, and in loudness control solutions that can balance a station’s sound. Although there is currently no legal precedent for Turkish broadcasters to adopt EBU R128, there is a commercial incentive as it does make stations sound better, which improves the enjoyment for audiences.’