SCTE 193-1 2025

MPEG-4 AAC Family Audio System – Part 1 Coding Constraints for Cable Television

Executive Summary

This document is part of a suite documenting coding constraints of MPEG 4 AAC, HE AAC and HE AAC v2 systems for cable television (see SCTE 193-2 [4]).

Scope

This document defines the coding constraints on MPEG 4 AAC, HE AAC, and HE AAC v2 (referred to collectively in this document as the “AAC family”) profile audio for cable television. It also discusses MPEG-2 AAC LC profile audio, which is closely related to MPEG-4 AAC profile audio. The carriage of the streams described in this specification is defined in SCTE 193-2 2019 [4].

Benefits

The MPEG 4 AAC audio system provides excellent audio fidelity at low bit rates. It supports mono, stereo and multi-channel audio operational modes. HE AAC and HE AAC v2 incorporate audio metadata including metadata to control audio loudness.

Intended Audience

Content providers, distributors and equipment manufacturers that use MPEG 4 AAC audio coding.