[vlc-devel] Binaural virtual acoustics via headphones

[Piotr Majdak]

Hi guys,

I'm completely new to this list and hope to find the right words.

I do fundamental research on spatial hearing and work among others on 
binaural virtual acoustics. By using head-related transfer functions 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head-related_transfer_function> (HRTFs) 
recorded for various sound directions, it is possible to simulate sound 
sources like loudspeakers when listening via headphones. The typical 
application for binaural virtual acoustics could be watching 5.1 movies 
via headphones (for example while sitting in a train) and still having 
"surround" sound. When individualized HRTFs are used, the perception of 
the virtual loudspeakers could be even comparable to real loudspeakers.

We consider to implement the HRTF-based binaural simulation in 
VLC-Player. A user could provide his own HRTFs or choose from a database 
and listen to spatialized sounds via headphones. By using a web-cam, 
head movements/orientation could also be considered in the 
spatialization. What do you think about that?

I played a little bit with the "headphone virtual spatialization" option 
in the VLC player. It seems to mix somehow the audio channels down to 
the headphone channels, however, I could not find any description about 
the algorithm. I also could not find any options/settings for that. Can 
you help with some of description? Maybe there is not much work required 
for including HRTFs to VLC player ;-)

Cheers,

Piotr

-- 
Piotr Majdak
Psychoacoustics and Experimental Audiology
Acoustics Research Institute <http://www.kfs.oeaw.ac.at>
Austrian Academy of Sciences <http://www.oeaw.ac.at/>
Wohllebengasse 12-14, 1040 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: +43 1 51581-2511
Fax: +43 1 51581-2530