Apparatus and Method for Encoding or Decoding a Multi-Channel Signal Using a Broadband Alignment Parameter and a Plurality of Narrowband Alignment Parameters

A method for encoding a multi-channel signal comprising at least two channels, comprising:

• determining a broadband alignment parameter and a plurality of narrowband alignment parameters from the multichannel signal;
• aligning the at least two channels using the broadband alignment parameter and the plurality of narrowband alignment parameters to acquire aligned channels;
• calculating a mid-signal and a side signal using the aligned channels;
• encoding the mid-signal to acquire an encoded mid-signal and encoding the side signal to acquire an encoded side signal;
• and
• generating an encoded multi-channel signal comprising the encoded mid-signal, the encoded side signal, information on the broadband alignment parameter and information on the plurality of narrowband alignment parameters.

An apparatus for decoding and encoded multi-channel signal comprising an encoded mid-signal, an encoded side signal, information on a broadband alignment parameter and information on a plurality of narrowband alignment parameters, comprising:

• a signal decoder for decoding the encoded mid-signal to acquire a decoded mid-signal and for decoding the encoded side signal to acquire a decoded side signal;
• a signal processor for calculating a decoded first channel and decoded second channel from the decoded mid-signal and the decoded side signal;
• and
• a signal de-aligner for de-aligning the decoded first channel and the decoded second channel using the information on the broadband alignment parameter and the information on the plurality of narrowband alignment parameters to acquire a decoded multi-channel signal.

A method for decoding and encoded multi-channel signal comprising an encoded mid-signal, an encoded side signal, information on a broadband alignment parameter and information on a plurality of narrowband alignment parameters, comprising:

• decoding the encoded mid-signal to acquire a decoded mid-signal and decoding the encoded side signal to acquire a decoded side signal;
• calculating a decoded first channel and decoded second channel from the decoded mid-signal and the decoded side signal;
• and
• de-aligning the decoded first channel and the decoded second channel using the information on the broadband alignment parameter and the information on the plurality of narrowband alignment parameters to acquire a decoded multi-channel signal.

A non-transitory digital storage medium having a computer program stored thereon to perform the method for encoding a multi-channel signal comprising at least two channels, the method comprising:

• determining a broadband alignment parameter and a plurality of narrowband alignment parameters from the multichannel signal;
• aligning the at least two channels using the broadband alignment parameter and the plurality of narrowband alignment parameters to acquire aligned channels;
• calculating a mid-signal and a side signal using the aligned channels;
• encoding the mid-signal to acquire an encoded mid-signal and encoding the side signal to acquire an encoded side signal;
• and
• generating an encoded multi-channel signal comprising the encoded mid-signal, the encoded side signal, information on the broadband alignment parameter and information on the plurality of narrowband alignment parameters;
• when said computer program is run by a computer.

A non-transitory digital storage medium having a computer program stored thereon to perform the method for decoding and encoded multi-channel signal comprising an encoded mid-signal, an encoded side signal, information on a broadband alignment parameter and information on a plurality of narrowband alignment parameters, the method comprising:

• decoding the encoded mid-signal to acquire a decoded mid-signal and decoding the encoded side signal to acquire a decoded side signal;
• calculating a decoded first channel and decoded second channel from the decoded mid-signal and the decoded side signal;
• and
• de-aligning the decoded first channel and the decoded second channel using the information on the broadband alignment parameter and the information on the plurality of narrowband alignment parameters to acquire a decoded multi-channel signal;
• when said computer program is run by a computer.