Cavernize user guide
About Cavernize's codec support
You can find the list of supported codecs on the Graphical mode tab. Keep in mind that a codec and a container (file type) are distinct terms and they are not related in any way. Containers can store multiple tracks with varying codecs. Just because a container can be opened, doesn't mean that all codecs supported by the container can be decoded. Adding support for a single advanced codec, especially object-based ones (like Enhanced AC-3 + JOC), is a significant amount of work that can total over 1000 hours of developer time. Because of this, considering the addition of a codec to Cavern is evaluated by the following criteria:
- Does this codec provide value for the user? - Cavern is mainly used for its room correction and object-based playback capabilities. Thus, cinematic codecs take priority.
- Does this codec provide value for the open source community? - While Cavern is proudly completely self-contained and doesn't rely on any external libraries, the complexity of some codecs are on another level. It's not worth burning developer time on codecs that are already completely implemented in other projects with very high performance and full support.
- Is the codec openly documented? - Documentation regarding the codec's bitstream structure has to be available by the vendor, otherwise reverse engineering efforts would take years for files this complex. Certain vendors limit availability to these documents unless required by regulators. Such regulators are broadcasting standard agencies, so broadcast formats are always documented. Documented on-disc formats are rare.
- Is the codec actually used? - Codecs are only considered when a significant amount of content is available in them. It can still lead to a negative decision if the content found in that codec is available in another supported codec, and in no worse quality.
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Codec support decisions
| Codec | User value | Open-source value | Openly documented | Actually used | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian Lossless Packing (TrueHD Atmos) |  |
 |
|
|
Supported with truehdd integration |
| E-AC-3 + JOC (Dolby Digital Plus Atmos) | |
|
ETSI TS 102 366 and 103 420 |
|
Some features missing (AHT was not found with JOC, SPX seems unused) |
| ADM Broadcast Wave Format | |
|
adm.ebu.io |
Studio only  |
Supported |
| Dolby Atmos Master Format | |
|
|
Studio only |
Supported |
| Limitless Audio Format | |
|
Cavern |
|
Supported |
| RIFF WAVE | |
|
|
|
Supported |
| DTS:X | |
|
|
|
Impossible due to closed documentation |
| Octopus (Auro-3D) | |
|
|
|
Impossible due to closed documentation |
| MPEG-H | |
|
Reference implementation  |
|
Not considered widespread enough as of 2025 |
| IAMF | |
|
Reference implementation |
|
Not considered widespread enough as of 2025 |
| AC-4 | |
|
ETSI TS 103 190 |
|
Not considered widespread enough as of 2025 |
| DTS-UHD | |
|
ETSI TS 103 491 and 103 584 |
|
Not considered widespread enough as of 2025 |
| DTS and DTS-HD | |
|
ETSI TS 102 114 |
|
Already completely supported in FFmpeg |