It is now just over a month, that the EBU had released its Loudness Recommendation, EBU R 128. Since then, the interest for the specification and its uptake in products have been overwelming. A brief summary looking back at the first month of EBU R 128's life.
| Support from over 20 manufacturers
First of all there was the demo at the IBC 2010, where 20 different loudness metering devices with EBU R 128 support where shown. "We were positively surprised by the industry's speed to embrace R 128.", summarises EBU's Loudness Group chairman Florian Camerer (ORF). "We knew we had industry backing, after all the EBU Mode metering specification was largely written by experts from manufacturers, but actually seeing 20 products on show only two weeks after the spec was published was very impressive. And we know there are several more who were not on show, but are implementing the spec as well. A great result." |  EBU Loudness demo at IBC 2010 |
Broadcasters' backing
The proof of the pudding, of course is in the uptake by broadcasters. Broadcasters in the German speaking countries (Austria, Germany and Switzerland) are amongst the first to implement R 128. Florian notes: "Last Friday we had an AES meeting at Swiss broadcaster RTS, where Yannick Dumartineix (RTS) briefed us on the implementation of R 128 in their brand new file-based television facilities. They have a very clear plan for introducing Loudness metering and levelling all across the chain. And again, actually seeing EBU Mode metering devices being used in operation, is most encouraging for the Group, which has really worked very hard."
And the hard work will continue for a while. At the EBU Audio Experts meeting during the IBC, the PLOUD Group's charter was extended with one year to help broadcasters with implementing Loudness metering and levelling. The Group is currently focussing on finalising its Practical Guidelines. For more information, contact: Frans de Jong (EBU).