IEC 62574:2020 specifies the general channel assignment and the metadata for multichannel audio format. This document, with its channel mapping and labelling content, provides the unified usage of channel assignments for source devices, digital audio interfaces and sink devices. The general channel assignment excludes the specification of the exact position of each loudspeaker. The metadata has the exact position of each loudspeaker; however, since the position of the loudspeaker is different in various surround sound formats, the position information of the metadata is not standardized. It is aimed at consumer applications; it is not targeted at theatrical environments. Up to 65 labels for loudspeaker positions and 15 labels for loudspeakers on the display are specified, which can be used for all current multichannel audio formats. The channel assignment concept is room centric and listener centric. This general channel assignment specifies the position of the loudspeaker as seen from the listener.
IEC 62574:2020 cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2011. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) model of channel assignment spaces is changed;
b) definition of channel maps and labels is changed;
c) metadata is newly specified;
d) channel maps and labels from the first edition are included in Annex A.
