Object Based Media

For over 15 years various organizations have experimented with Object Based Media (OBM), starting with audio, other media objects such as subtitles date back well over 100 years.

In this seminar we will take a look at how Object Based Media has now evolved to be part of everyday media production.

Evolution

Most standard programmes today contain at least four media tracks (e.g., main audio, main video, audio description, subtitles) but many contain several more (such as visual signing, director’s commentary, alternative languages, additional graphics, EPG links, trailers and references to online information).
These can be referred to as objects, and can be combined to offer several different experiences based on the same content.

Although these tracks exist today, they are not always considered as object-based media as each one is a stand-alone service which can be enabled or disabled, and they rarely have the instructions (metadata) that describes how they can be combined to form an object-based presentation.
Recently however, it has become possible to create and deliver more sophisticated object based media, such as branching narratives, personalised presentations, which offer totally new viewing experiences.

The Seminar

The seminar is chaired by Elfed Howells, the co-author of 2 reports on OBM, (the 2021 Ofcom report, and the 2025 DVB study mission report). He will be accompanied by experts who will guide the audience through the evolving aspects of OBM, by looking at topics such as:

OBM’s origins and evolution:  A look at the 3 different classes of objects in media, and how each have evolved and grown in importance for online media.

OBM and Next Gen Audio:  Rupert Brun will use real-world examples to show how audio objects have evolved from an experiment at the Wimbledon tennis championship in 2011 to “business as usual” for national broadcasters covering major events including the Football World Cup in 2026.

OBM in standards:  Many proprietary solutions exist for OBM, but are modern media standards ready to support the objects and metadata needed by the industry? We will take a quick tour of the various standards bodies, and what they are doing in the area.

OBM in practice today:  We will focus in on a few examples of how OBM is helping us enjoy and personalise media experiences today.

OBM research and OBM&AI:  What happens to OBM in the age of AI media, will it become more or less important? We will gauge expert opinion.

Panel discussion on the future of OBM:  Elfed and his guests will provide their opinions and views on where we may go next with OBM and how that will impact viewers and the industry.