Measuring Audio Quality with Canadian Software

Imagine a software package that acts as an electronic ear, listening to sounds and analyzing them so that their quality can be measured automatically and reliably. That’s exactly what the CRC-SEAQ software product has been doing for the industry for several years. This electronic ear is the embodiment of an international ITU standard which CRC’s research scientists have contributed to develop.

The software, which is currently available for licensing, helps improve the performance of audio technologies by measuring their output signal quality using either subjective (tests using human subjects) or objective (using a computerized model of the human ear) methods. Major companies such as Dolby, Phillips, Panasonic, Samsung and NASA have licensed CRC-SEAQ.

By using either the subjective component or the objective component of the CRC-SEAQ software, equipment manufacturers and audio engineers can scientifically measure and improve their products. Broadcasters and transmission networks operators can use the electronic ear to automatically monitor the quality of the audio signals they transmit.

CRC-SEAQ is the result of a decade of research on audio quality testing. It is a boon to the audio industry and one that is invaluable in efforts to strive for realistic and quality sound.

More information about the CRC-SEAQ software can be found at www.crc.gc.ca/seaq.