Since the announcement of its release last year, product manufacturers, market analysts, and industry enthusiasts have eagerly awaited the availability of Auracast™ devices. Finally, that wait is over. Auracast™ broadcast audio is being deployed at public festivals, in conference centers, and showcased at numerous audio event expos. Google has even added the ability for venues and businesses to indicate support for Auracast™ broadcast audio within their locations in preparation for widespread deployment of Auracast™ broadcast audio in a broad range of public spaces. Soon, we will all have an opportunity to experience the benefits of this new Bluetooth® innovation firsthand.
Next Generation of Assistive Listening is Here
The hearing aid industry turned to Bluetooth® technology to overcome the challenges of traditional assistive listening systems (ALS) with Auracast™ broadcast audio. See why this new Bluetooth capability will make broader deployment and increased availability of ALS for people with hearing loss possible, while also expanding applicability of these systems to consumers with all levels of hearing health.
Auracast™ How It Works
An unlimited number of in-range Auracast™ receivers will be able to join an Auracast™ broadcast from a nearby Auracast™ transmitter.
STEP 1
An Auracast™ transmitter begins an Auracast™ broadcast that includes advertisements, which provide Auracast™ assistants with information about the broadcast (e.g. name, content, codec configuration, etc.), as well as one or more audio streams (e.g. left and right stereo audio streams).
STEP 2
Auracast™ assistants scan for Auracast™ advertisements and provide a user interface (UI) to enable users to select an Auracast™ broadcast to join, similar to the UI commonly used to connect to Wi-Fi networks in public spaces.
STEP 3
Once an Auracast™ broadcast is selected, the Auracast™ assistant provides the Auracast™ receiver (e.g. headphone, earbud, hearing aid, etc.) the information it needs to join the Auracast™ broadcast.
So what is Auracast™ and what are the Retrofit Opportunities?
Auracast™ devices are already on their way. In addition to these Auracast™ product releases, there is also a complete suite of Auracast™ retrofit transmitter solutions coming to market (see the BettearCASTER below) that will allow users to experience Auracast™ broadcast audio sooner than later. This newly released infographic outlines the Auracast™ retrofit opportunity in detail and highlights some of the largest volume opportunities with the lowest barrier to implementation for locations and devices to take advantage of these retrofit solutions today.
- Public Assembly: Auracast™ adapters can connect to the more than eight million existing global sound/public address systems, transforming any venue into an Auracast™ location without the need for an infrastructure upgrade. Classrooms, lecture halls, places of worship, libraries, community centers, transportation hubs, and convention centers already equipped with these systems can add Auracast™ adapters to allow visitors to listen to audio from the venue using their own Auracast™ listening devices.
- Personal Audio Sharing: Auracast™ dongles are plug-and-play solutions that turn existing smartphones, tablets, and laptops into Auracast™ transmitters. When plugged into your device, these dongles can enable enhanced personal audio sharing from your current hardware. Industry analysts estimate that 1.7 billion Bluetooth platform devices will ship this year, creating huge market opportunities for dongle developers to help transform existing products into Auracast™ capable solutions.
- Office Buildings: Connecting to existing conference room sound systems, Auracast™ streamers can transmit the meeting audio to attendees with hearing aids, earbuds, or headset devices. With more than 10 million offices around the world, there is immense potential for Auracast™ enterprise retrofit opportunities.
- Public TVs: HDMI, USB, and auxiliary streamers and adapters provide a simple and affordable option to unmute the millions of silent TVs already in public locations, allowing visitors with Auracast™ receivers to listen to the TV of their choice without filling a venue with unwanted ambient audio for others. The install base of public TVs represents a significant retrofit opportunity, with forecasts predicting that there will be 5.3 billion deployments of public TVs retrofit with Auracast™ broadcast audio by 2028.
Learn about Auracast™ broadcast audio retrofit solutions and opportunities.
The Auracast™ Streamers Suite by Bettear
Bettear’s B-CASTER Auracast™ streamer is a groundbreaking innovation in audio streaming technology. It significantly enhances the auditory experience for individuals with hearing impairments by seamlessly integrating with Auracast™-compatible hearing devices. This integration ensures high-quality audio streaming with low-latency across a wide range of hearing devices, including hearing-aids, cochlear implants, and various other hearables.
The B-CASTER can operate in ‘Standalone Mode,’ smoothly broadcasting audio to Auracast™ compatible devices within its range, or it can operate in Auracast™ and Wi-Fi ‘Hybrid Mode.’
In Hybrid mode the B-CASTER and the B-SHOW function as a combined system, making any venue fully accessible for everyone – both those equipped with Auracast™ compatible hearing devices and those without.
An uncompromised, inclusive, and accessible listening experience is now provided for everyone. Here and now.
Bettear Auracast™ Features
- Audio Streaming Over Auracast™ | Comprehensive support for Auracast™ broadcasting
- Near Real-Time Audio Streaming | Streaming real-time (<40mS) audio over Auracast™
- Cascadable Power over Ethernet (PoE) | Two units (B-CASTER and Wi-Fi APs) can be daisy-chained
- Compatibility with Auracast™ Hearables | Seamless listening for Auracast™-based hearables
- Management Dashboard | A web management dashboard enabling effortless configuration
- Optimal Audio Experience | Exceptional sound quality, enjoyable listening
- Adjustable Audio Settings | Bettear’s free iOS and Android assistive listening application provides seamless control over Auracast™ settings
Frequently Asked Questions
The range will vary depending on environmental factors and receiver specification i.e. earbuds or hearing aids may perform differently to Bettear’s B-RTX (a dedicated Auracast™ Transceiver)
Each B-Caster broadcasts over 100 meters in all directions. For greater coverage, a B-Caster-S can be used in a daisy chain to expand the range.
It depends on the hearing aid/cochlear implant manufacturer, but most commonly you would use their mobile app on a smartphone or tablet to connect to the Auracast broadcast. The B-Caster would appear in the Bluetooth® pairing list of the app, so you’d simply need to connect to the desired source.
Yes. The Bettear system includes a B-RTX Transceiver, allowing anyone to experience hassle-free audio directly from the B-Caster.
The Bettear B-Caster also supports a Standalone Mode for broadcasting exclusively to Auracast-compatible devices.
In Hybrid Mode, the B-Caster, when paired with a B-Show, can simultaneously broadcast over Wi-Fi to any Wi-Fi-enabled device using the free Bettear App, or integrate with traditional hearing loop systems.
The number of users that can connect to an Auracast™ broadcast is unlimited, if they are in range for the signal. Auracast™ is a true broadcast technology, and the number of people choosing to listen at any given time has no impact on the transmitter or other receiving devices.
Many audio-visual manufacturers are already implementing Auracast™ based technology within their devices. Adoption rates across brands and devices vary, but market expectations are for the incorporation of Bluetooth LE capabilities to increase significantly over the next 2-5 years.
B-Caster supports 1 channel (1 stereo/2 mono)
If more than one pair of audio channels is needed (such as for translations or different screens in a gym), additional B-Casters can be connected to audio sources and used to broadcast on separate streams.
Via the suppled DC in – 12v 2.5A input or PoE+ In
The B-CASTER unique power management circuitry enables network and power chaining between two B-CASTERs or a B-CASTER and a Wi-Fi Access Point, reducing cabling complexity.
2 x Phoenix connectors (balanced)
While there isn’t a dedicated Dante version, you can easily integrate B-Caster into your Dante network using Dante AVIO adapters, which are readily available from JPRO.
Yes, Auracast™ uses the LC3 codec which has a much lower latency compared to AAC or aptX which have 120ms and 70ms respectively.
The B-Caster system supports latency of <40ms. Actual latency will vary with the paired receiver such as earbuds or hearing aids. Humans notice when audio and video are out of sync by about 40–80 milliseconds.
This post was reproduced in part thanks to the https://www.bluetooth.com/auracast website, check it out for more in-depth information regarding Auracast technology and how it will enable exciting new audio experiences that will enhance the way we engage with each other and the world around us.
