xHE-AAC (the combination of Extended HE-AAC and MPEG-D DRC) is the latest addition to the MPEG AAC codec family and bridges the gap between speech and audio coding. It provides consistently high-quality audio for all signal types, such as speech, music or mixed content, at all bit rates ‐ starting as low as 6 kbit/s for mono and 12 kbit/s for stereo services, up to 500 kbit/s and above. This makes xHE-AAC the audio codec of choice for digital radio and adaptive streaming applications.
xHE-AAC Codec Test Service
The Codec Test Service
Fraunhofer IIS ©
The xHE-AAC Codec Test Service is a web-based service offered by Fraunhofer IIS to verify implementations of xHE-AAC encoding and decoding against the MPEG standards. It provides an environment for adopters of xHE-AAC to test their xHE-AAC integration, and offers them the option to apply for a trademark via our Trademark Program.
The service extends and expands the basic MPEG conformance tests to include tests for encoding, adaptive streaming, MPEG-D DRC and additional aspects that are out of scope in the MPEG conformance. It tests against ISO/IEC 23003-3 and ISO/IEC 23003-4 specifications.
The test service consists of:
- an encoder suite
- a decoder suite
- a player app suite BETA
The test service is free of charge and may be accessed by registering using the form below.
The Test Service Process
The first step for the user is to register for the service using the form below. Once the user registration is reviewed by Fraunhofer IIS, the account will be activated. This can take up to 5 working days.
Once authenticated, access is granted and detailed instructions are made available for each device type; encoder, decoder and player app [BETA]. It is recommended to take a look at the available information before moving on with the test runs.
Each test run has to be registered, giving access to a download package containing testing content and instructions. Depending on the test service suite, encode, decode or record the test run audio files and upload the result in a zip package to the website.
Depending on the outcome of the test, the following will happen:
- If one or more mandatory tests fail, the test report with feedback will be sent to your email.
- If all mandatory tests pass, the key and the passing test report can be used in further steps of your Trademark Application.
After each test run, the uploaded zip file and the detailed analysis results will be erased immediately.
Failing test result reports are automatically and exclusively reported to the registered user. If all tests are successful, with the user's approval, the results including a unique identifier will be sent to the registered user and, with the manufacturer's approval, to Fraunhofer IIS.
Terms and Conditions
1. Description
The xHE-AAC Codec Test Service offers a tailored test infrastructure or suite featuring audio files, bitstreams and other test tools to qualified manufacturers and users for testing their xHE-AAC codec implementations used in software products or devices. It is provided by Fraunhofer IIS for professional use only.
The xHE-AAC Codec Test Service allows manufacturers and users to upload the output files generated during testing of their product. The uploaded files are analyzed by a computer program running on the xHE-AAC Codec Test Service web server and an automatic test report will be sent to the user informing them whether their uploaded output files pass the xHE-AAC codec tests. All tests are conducted by manufacturers and users themselves and in no event is a manufacturer or user permitted to claim any approval or endorsement by Fraunhofer of its products nor to give the impression that Fraunhofer is involved in any verification tests conducted by them. The test suite and any test reports are proprietary information of Fraunhofer and solely for manufacturer’s and user’s internal usage and review. Manufacturers and users are allowed to publicly disclose the fact of their successfully tested products, but are not allowed to disclose test reports except to Fraunhofer.
2. User qualification
Registration and qualification for the use of the xHE-AAC Codec Test Service includes an individual, manual activation step on behalf of Fraunhofer. Fraunhofer reserves the right to deliver the test suite only to qualified manufacturers and users. Qualification is dependent on professional use and in conformance with the German export control laws and regulations. To approve the qualification, manufacturers and users are obligated to submit additional information as requested below.
3. Software license type
- The test suite license is for internal use only and can be used only for a limited time period as described in the Test Suite License Agreement
- Copying, modifying, decompiling, analyzing, reverse engineering or distributing any parts of the test suite and/or test reports is prohibited.
xHE-AAC is a registered trademark of Fraunhofer in Germany, the United States and other countries.