Global leading motion-image committee, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), has announced the establishment of a new technology committee to regulate cinema sound standards.
The Committee-25 Cinema Sound Systems (TC-25CSS), which will operate under the management of SMPTE, is dedicated to the regulation motion-imaging standards and education for the communications, media, entertainment and technology industries.
Upgrading of standards, especially considering technical upgrades, quality improvements and sound consistency are top priorities on the TC-25CSS agenda.
Brian Vessa, executive director of Digital Audio Mastering at Sony Pictures Entertainment and chairperson of TC-25CSS, told SCREENAFRICA: “Improvements in measurement technology, digital sound delivery and in sound reproduction equipment, as well as the greater detail and dynamic range of movie soundtracks, present a variety of challenges in providing quality cinema sound.”
A total of 130 members from more than 90 companies and academic institutions and 14 countries will serve on the committee, contributing to the development of theatre acoustic-based tools as based on the science of sound reproduction versus human sound perception.
Hans Hoffman, head of Production Technology at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and vice president of Standards at SMPTE, said: “The Cinema Sound Systems 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.”
The need for the committee was raised as the outcome of a Theatre B-Chain Study Group, conducted on test equipment and measurement methods in commercial theatres.
“Cinema Sound Systems — Raising the Bar Through New Standards”, a webcast on SMPTE standards, will be streamed on the internet on Tuesday, March 12, to announce TC-25CSS’s work and reveal the standards of cinema sound systems, including new additions to current criteria.
