IEC 61937-13:2018

Overview

IEC 61937-13:2018 specifies how to carry MPEG‑H 3D Audio bitstreams over a digital audio interface that follows IEC 60958 (commonly used for S/PDIF / AES3-like consumer interfaces). Part 13 of the IEC 61937 series defines the mapping of the MPEG‑H 3D Audio Transport Stream (MHAS) into the IEC 61937 data‑burst mechanism so that a set‑top box, media player or broadcast gateway can pass non‑linear PCM encoded MPEG‑H 3D Audio to an external decoder (for example, an AV receiver).

Keywords: IEC 61937-13, MPEG-H 3D Audio, IEC 60958, MHAS, digital audio interface, non-linear PCM, data-burst.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Mapping to IEC 61937-1 / -2: The standard defines how MHAS packets and MPEG‑H data frames are encapsulated in IEC 61937 data‑bursts and how burst‑info fields are used to identify the data type.
• MHAS framing support: Uses the MHAS framing format (MPEG‑H Audio Stream) to support audio objects, immersive 3D channels and flexible signalling required by MPEG‑H.
• Data‑burst structure: Specifies formats for pause data‑bursts and audio data‑bursts, including payload header entries and the organization of MHAS packets inside bursts.
• High Bit Rate (HBR) mode: Defines an HBR variant for higher throughput transport and provides repetition periods and maximum payload sizes for different sample‑rate multipliers.
• Latency and truncation handling: Defines terminology and signalling for latency (receive + decode delay) and for truncated data frames (packets indicating removal of samples).
• MHAS packet types & fields: References MHAS packet fields such as MHASPacketType, MHASPacketLabel, MHASPacketLength and MHASPacketPayload, including registered packet types like PACTYP_MPEGH3DAFRAME, PACTYP_MPEGH3DACFG, PACTYP_AUDIOSCENEINFO and PACTYP_AUDIOTRUNCATION.
• Normative tables and parameters: Repetition periods, payload sizes and burst-info bit assignments are provided in normative tables to ensure interoperation.

Applications

• Transporting MPEG‑H 3D Audio from a TV set‑top box or broadcast receiver to an external decoder over S/PDIF or similar IEC 60958 interfaces.
• Home theater and AV receiver integration for immersive audio and object‑based personalization.
• Consumer electronics firmware and hardware designs that must support MPEG‑H playback and IEC 61937 compliance.
• Test labs and certification bodies validating compliance and interoperability of MPEG‑H over digital audio links.

Who would use this standard

• Consumer electronics manufacturers (set‑top boxes, TVs, AV receivers)
• Broadcast system designers and integrators (ATSC/DVB profiles)
• Audio codec and middleware implementers (MPEG‑H toolchains)
• Test and certification labs ensuring IEC 61937 and MPEG‑H interoperability

Related standards

• IEC 60958 (Digital audio interface)
• IEC 61937‑1 / IEC 61937‑2 (General and burst‑info mapping for non‑linear PCM transport)
• ISO/IEC 23008‑3:2015 (MPEG‑H 3D Audio specification / MHAS framing)

This standard is essential when you need a defined, interoperable way to carry MPEG‑H 3D Audio over existing digital audio interfaces while preserving immersive, object‑based audio features and decoding control.