TMCnet reports the Internet Media Device Alliance (IMDA) has introduced a baseline certification standard for standalone Internet radio players: IMDA Profile 1. The audio data played over the Internet is often stuck with various technical issues such as codec designs and playlist formats. Although Internet radio is still in its infancy, there are various formats and standards in practice. Alliances such as IMDA are trying to bring uniformity in these formats.
To ensure new products will access the majority of streamed audio broadcasts, major internet radio manufacturers and broadcasters are backing the IMDA certification standard. By removing the prospect of rival technology wars, this certification standard is expected to reduce time to market and marketing risk. Also, online broadcasters can use fewer audio codecs and reduce associated costs by adhering to IMDA Profile 1.
“More and more consumers are discovering great audio content from around the world over the internet on an increasing number of different devices,” said John Ousby, an IMDA steering committee member, vTuner’s director of broadcaster services, and the BBC’s former head of distribution technology for audio and music, in a release. “Aligning technologies for internet radio devices is an important step for continued rapid growth.”
Internet Media Device Alliance was formed in 2009 by various streaming media companies to create a new industry forum. The IMDA has been formed with the aim of developing and promoting a set of open, interoperable standards and device profiles in order to maximize the growth of a global consumer market in Internet-connected media devices.
The IMDA is running a fast track certification program for a limited period, which is expected to fasten the adoption of Profile 1. Future IMDA Profiles will set standards for different types of Internet connected media devices, such as video players.
