#8349: Dolby AC-4 Support
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Reporter: Nomis101 | Owner: (none)
Type: enhancement | Status: reopened
Priority: wish | Component: avcodec
Version: git-master | Resolution:
Keywords: ac4 | Blocked By:
Blocking: | Reproduced by developer: 0
Analyzed by developer: 0 |
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Comment (by Jim Scarborough):
This ticket is about ffmpeg support for Dolby AC-4. The primary motivation
for ever so many people to be interested in this ticket is that ATSC 3.0
mandates Dolby AC-4. To that end, I suggest a policy workaround for
people experiencing this issue:
It is deeply problematic that **ATSC 3.0 mandates a proprietary codec**
(Dolby AC-4) for audio on **free over-the-air (OTA) television** in the
U.S. and other regions adopting the standard. This effectively **locks out
open-source software** like FFmpeg, VLC, Plex, and Kodi, preventing the
public from fully accessing broadcasts that are supposed to be free.
== Why This Matters
* Public airwaves should not be encumbered by proprietary restrictions.
* FFmpeg and other open-source projects cannot legally implement AC-4
support, limiting users' ability to watch ATSC 3.0 content.
* The FCC approved ATSC 3.0 with no open alternative to AC-4, forcing
consumers to buy Dolby-licensed hardware just to hear broadcasts.
* If ATSC 1.0 is fully phased out, thousands (if not millions) of viewers
may lose access to free OTA TV.
== What Can We Do?
This is not just a technical issue—it is a policy issue that affects media
accessibility for everyone. If you believe that publicly available TV
should not require proprietary codecs, consider:
* Filing a complaint with the FCC (File here:
https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us)
* Contacting your local broadcasters to urge them to advocate for an open
alternative to AC-4
* Pressuring ATSC and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to
reconsider the forced use of proprietary codecs
* ATSC: https://www.atsc.org/contact-us/
* NAB: https://www.nab.org/about/contactus.asp
* Spreading awareness on forums, tech news sites, and social media
* AVS Forum: https://www.avsforum.com/threads/atsc-3-0-nextgen-
tv.3125888/
* r/Plex:
*
https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/jkx007/atsc_30_and_ac4_audio_support/
*
https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/11fmzcr/ac4_support_for_atsc_30/
* r/HDHR:
https://www.reddit.com/r/HDHR/comments/zqrr2o/atsc_30_compatability/
* Silicondust:
* ATSC 3.0 streams
https://forum.silicondust.com/forum/viewtopic.php?start=45&t=79256
* HDHomeRun 4k is Nextgen TV Certified:
https://forum.silicondust.com/forum/viewtopic.php?start=165&t=78419
== Thank you!
🚀 **FFmpeg devs have done incredible work** supporting open media
formats, and even coming up with an experimental solution here. But
without an open AC-4 alternative, ATSC 3.0 will remain inaccessible to a
large portion of its intended audience. Advocating for open standards
isn’t just about software—it’s about **ensuring that publicly owned
airwaves remain truly public**.
I'd love to hear from you directly or in one of the online groups
mentioned above. If anyone has legal, regulatory, or technical insights,
let’s work together to **push for an open alternative**.
--
Ticket URL: <https://trac.ffmpeg.org/ticket/8349#comment:93>
FFmpeg <https://ffmpeg.org>
FFmpeg issue tracker
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