[Xiph-Advocacy] Stereo Mix standard

[Martin Leese]

Hi,

This looked like the most appropriate list to
post this to.  I would like to know whether Xiph
is interested in supporting an initative to
embed stereo downmix information into
multi-channel audio files.  I have in mind
something similar to the Replay Gain standard.

The standard would allow the producer of a
multi-channel file to say what downmix to
stereo is appropriate for their material, and it
would take precidence over any defaults
embedded in the audio player or sound card.
In addition, the standard will dictate a default
stereo downmix to be adopted by *all* audio
players and sound cards.  Standardization in
this area is much needed because, at the
moment, audio players and sound cards use
different downmixes to stereo.

To show what I have in mind, I have created a
draft for WAVE-EX files at:
http://members.tripod.com/martin_leese/Ambisonic/StereoMix_chunk.html

This would need to be extended to other types
of multi-channel audio file using an ID3 tag,
VorbisComment, (possibly) FLAC
METADATA_BLOCK_APPLICATION, etc.

Support from Xiph could include:

1)  Space to host the documentation.
2)  Advice.
3)  Promotion and advocacy under the Xiph
    banner.

The tricky part will be getting audio players to
recognize the standard.  The *really* trick part
will be "forcing" the audio players and sound
cards to adopt the default downmix.  I see the
Xiph banner being crucial to both of these.

Is this something Xiph would be interested in?

Regards,
Martin
-- 
Martin J Leese
E-mail: martin.leese  stanfordalumni.org
Web: http://members.tripod.com/martin_leese/