Following the recent announcement of a lightweight AES70 implementation that makes AES70 control solutions available to any that wish to implement it, the OCA Alliance has offered a preview of the latest version of the AES70 device control standard. The AES70-2021 release will be upwards-compatible from the current AES70-2018 and offers several enhancements for new and improved features, along with a number of documentation upgrades for increased clarity, readability and precision.
The most important new features are as follows:
- Datasets: This is a mechanism for devices to exchange data blocks (datasets) with controllers. Data block size is limited only by implementation. AES70-2021 will specifically define several types of datasets, and manufacturers will also be able to add their own datasets as required.
- Media files: Thanks to the new Datasets feature, controllers can now manage device audio file recording, playback and storage.
- Logging: A new logging mechanism—also based in the Datasets feature—enables controllers to retrieve logs generated by a device, in any format and at any time.
- Command sets: This is a new mechanism for storing predefined control command sequences in devices and executing them on request, at scheduled times or at specified positions in media streams.
AES70-21 also includes changes to existing functionality, including streamlined social-media management, connection negotiation support and new support for managing presets.
“As with any standard, the more widely it is adopted and used, the greater the benefit to all concerned and the industry at large,” Bosch Communications Senior Scientist and OCA Chair, Jeff Berryman, said. “The 2021 release offers several enhancements and upgrades to make it more accessible, easier to implement and also improve performance. Combined with our recent lightweight implementation, we now have AES70 control solutions for every part of the spectrum, from the simplest to the most complex systems.”
AES70-2021 is scheduled for release during the second half of 2021 and will be downloadable from the website.
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