After the audio has been fixed on Ch 722-724, now Fly FM (on MYTV) @ HE-AAC V2 32kbps sounds better than the over compressed and mushy sounding 102.5 FM from Gunung Pulai.

Audio quality is still inferior than YouTube live and live streaming though.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 8 2020, 01:17 AM

It will be good if those Fly FM, One FM and whatever radio channel intergrate those visuals into HbbTV format or 2nd Generation Teletext, then we can get those visuals and interactivity (maybe) on Pensonic MYTV Myfreeview decoder or some other decoder or TV capable of receiving HbbTV over DVB-T2.

So far I know only RTM has put visuals for their 6 radio stations on HbbTV format capable of receiving it on a Pensonic MYTV Myfreeview decoder or some other decoder or TV capable of receiving HbbTV over DVB-T2.

This post has been edited by Wobblyblob: Oct 8 2020, 06:08 AM

On another note, when is RTM's Red FM coming to MYTV Myfreeview platform? Can't wait for Red FM to go on air on MYTV.

This may be or may not be relavant for this topic as this involves pretty much the broadcast audio quality.

The audio was taken off from a online classical music station which streams on 3 different bitrates and standards, which are :
32kbps HE-AAC V2 (which MYTV uses for non-RTM stations as their main audio track)
96kbps HE-AAC (used by Mediacorp/Main soundtrack and RTM radio stations on DTT)
128kbps MP3 (sounds similar to 192kbps MP2)

Those tracks are recorded online.

A small section (which the part is quite complex) were cutted from each recording to demostrate the audio quality . The soundtrack is then converted to WAV/uncompressed format for compatibility reasons and to show the full extent of the compression.

For those who are interested on this track, the track is part of Rondo From Flute Concerto In G Major Op. 8 - Friedrich Witt

The link of audio : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BZrrDBRnqV...ew?usp=drivesdk


If you listened carefully, you will probably heard a lot of artifacts on the 32kbps version (which the inventor of the codec, Fraunhofer Institute claimed that this is "good").
Casual listeners won't notice audible differences on both HE-AAC 96kbps and MP3 128kbps, however.
Audiophiles may, however found that the MP3 stream sounds better sometimes. This is the reason why forumers here are advocating for high bitrate audios.

Even a 16kbps increase (whilst on HE-AAC V2) for the commercial channels will meant some improvement to audio quality. It won't take a lot of space too.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 13 2020, 12:44 PM

Also, why sometimes the channels will auto change their name to their default name where i've changed it? K2 box here.

Agreed. Even with change of codec to AAC, the artifacts when dropping down is still noticeable, but less so than MP3. (MP3 will sound like in water, while AAC will lose its high end)

And IMO the lowest you can go without notable artifacts with AAC is 64-128k and without SBR nor PS, as these will mangle the audio significantly.

So yeah, I think MP3 wins here as it's a compression and not much processing.

For hires listening though, I'd recommend FLAC. BTW, what's the best audio quality that you can theoretically put into DTT?

Most radio stations and even popular music streaming apps, unfortunately never provide a hi-res FLAC stream. It will cost a lot of money, in terms of operator side, to distribute a FLAC stream. So often that it is money that usually avoided the distribution of high quality audio. Imagine the cost of sending 1000 FLAC streams online. It will require an 1Gbps link. The more you send the more internet capacity is needed.

Most radio stations I see in Malaysia only provide a 32-48kbps HE-AAC V2 stream and nothing higher than that. Meanwhile in overseas, whilst that 128kbps MP3/AAC streams are common, most stations defaults to 48kbps HE-AAC V2 stream. Media Prima stations do have higher res audio on their Live streaming feeds placed on YouTube and Dailymotion. Astro uses HE-AAC and AC3 (5.1) soundtracks for HD channels and MP2 for SD and audio channels. Ironically, for Malaysian channels, it is often the online catch up feed on YouTube that sounds better.

Obviously, I preferred 128kbps AAC/96kbps HE-AAC is to be used as an standard on DTT (and other platforms).

The typical bitrate for DTT audio (in stereo) across the world are 128-256kbps (MP2), 192kbps (AC3), 32-48kbps for HE-AAC V2, 64-96kbps for HE-AAC and 96-128kbps for AAC.

The highest you may theoretically put into DTT can be as high as 448kbps for AAC and 384kbps for MP2 (both of course in stereo). But obviously broadcasters won't do so as the additional bandwidth can be used to improve picture quality.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 13 2020, 07:04 PM

Technically and theoretically surrodox2001, whatever the video/audio codec that accommodate into the Transport Stream (.ts), can actually be able to supported on DVB-T2.

And nope, no one would use FLAC audio codec for general broadcasts... There is high quality audio for general broadcast use, but not "lossless" quality due to bandwidth constraints on both broadcaster and viewers.

Nowadays, commonly used audio codecs for broadcasts could be:
- AAC (either AAC-LC or HE-AAC)
- AC3 (Dolby Digital)
- E-AC3 (Dolby Digital Plus)
- MP1/MP2 (usually used due to loyalty and/or device compatibility reasons)

Like what shaun_kok said, typical bitrates are around that range... They're not so "big hearted" to use very high audio bitrates for your audio immersive enjoyment.

But for a broadcaster like MYTV Broadcasting, which prioritises quantity to the very maximum rather than quality, all they care about is how to pump in more TV channels/radio and content in one mux to save cost; no need to spend more money on using more muxes.

Very few people would tell the difference between 128 kbps AAC or OPUS and the original 1544 PCM
128 kbps MP3 can be detected by many people if you know what to listen for

Bolehland should've match Mediacorp one on audio quality.

Mediacorp has many multiplexes to fill. MyTV will not be going to 96 kbps or more, but not going below 48 kbps AAC would be tolerable

What Mediacorp can fill the mux with though? I'm interested in it but they'll rather go with the DRM-infested MeWatch (yes, they use widevine now) rather than FTA.

Read this:-

Digital Terrestrial TV (DVB-T2) now booming in Thailand.

Link to article here:-
https://www.sportcal.com/Insight/Features/125615

This post has been edited by Wobblyblob: Oct 22 2020, 05:24 AM

Kinda curious if the video bitrates is averagely same on all channels, or it has different values...

Thailand is a funny market, they are really isolated by language

But yes, Thailand TV channels are still doing well.

Later in future after 2022, MYTV plans to bring in Singaporean, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesian channels thought their MYTV Myfreeview platform.

We just have to wait and see and I can't wait to see that day happen because I'm looking forward to see and watch some Thailand, Singaporean and Philippines channels as well.

Overnight testing of GM HD mode (playout on Glenmarie Studios rather than the usual Seri Pentas) for NTV7 and TV9.
Unfortunately, the transmission signal isn't in HD for most viewers. Doesn't matter to Media Prima any way, as they don't even attempt to bring 8TV in HD for terrestrial viewers.
Captured on playtv@unifi

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 25 2020, 04:09 AM


Attached thumbnail(s)

Later Update (NTV7), still on Glenmarie (GM)

TV9 Siaran Langsung variant

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Oct 25 2020, 07:08 AM


Attached thumbnail(s)

yeah...