Topic: Decibel Change During Commercials

[Industrial Cafe]

We all know commercials are louder than the show you're watching, but how much and why?

I have a decibel meter here and it's pretty accurate.
I measure at 6ft from the TV in the center an average of 55db with a max of 72 during a movie.
then a commercial comes on and it measures an average of 72db and a max of 75.

   When I worked for DirecTv I was told it was because the commercials gain was set all the way up for   
   everything- music, speech, sound effects.
makes sense when you look at my numbers.
   A television programs audio gain is set up for subtlety and surprise/excitement to better engage you.

so... yeah, there you go.

[74cb750]

I was under the impression some of the newer TVs can
even out the sound. 

[Industrial Cafe]

I was under the impression some of the newer TVs can
even out the sound. 

Dolby Labs did something for that in some tv's with sony's AVLS and I think Magnavox and RCA did it too, but it wasn't all of them and I think they quit doing it. but I'm not completely sure.
sony uses AVLS on their walkmans and the PSP too.

[Zaipai]

2 of the 5 T.V.s we own, have a even sound option however its not on by default and I believe it removes the stereo separation. There is a rule by the FCC that commercials can not be louder then the show you are watching, but I noticed over the years that is not being enforced.

[MCRider]

2 of the 5 T.V.s we own, have a even sound option however its not on by default and I believe it removes the stereo separation. There is a rule by the FCC that commercials can not be louder then the show you are watching, but I noticed over the years that is not being enforced.

I'd heard/read that commercials can't be louder than the LOUDEST part of the show one is watching. So they find that one highest spike in loudness and key off that.

[Zaipai]

2 of the 5 T.V.s we own, have a even sound option however its not on by default and I believe it removes the stereo separation. There is a rule by the FCC that commercials can not be louder then the show you are watching, but I noticed over the years that is not being enforced.

I'd heard/read that commercials can't be louder than the LOUDEST part of the show one is watching. So they find that one highest spike in loudness and key off that.

Yea that makes sense.. and sure explains why we keep having to turn down the sound. I will tell you the commercials that do that we take note and don't by from that company.

[Industrial Cafe]

I always hit mute while screaming "WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME?!!"
I don't want your newly redesigned swiffer wetJet, mine works perfectly well!

[gregimotis]

I always hit mute while screaming "WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME?!!"
I don't want your newly redesigned swiffer wetJet, mine works perfectly well!

I always hit " I don't have a damn T.V."  while feeling holier than thou.  Luddites > U



(aww it's all in fun, c'mon)

[Industrial Cafe]

wouldn't you be a neo-luddite?  you are riding and typing on life altering technology.

I wish I could shut off my tv forever, but then how would I know about all the cool stuff on the history and science channel?

[demon78]

Back in the days of tube type TV's there was an AGC  ( automatic gain control ) circuit because even in those days the commercial people hyped sound up ( yes I actually worked on them). It was a selling feature, people didn't have to run over and turn the sound down during a tobacco commercial.
Bill the demon.

[tramp]

don't watch regular channels
god bless history, national geographic, military, discovery and sifi channels

[CycleRanger]

The F-CC is looking out for you.
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/backgroundnoise.html

[Industrial Cafe]

on a side note-
Is anyone here as tired of the "punkin chunkin" commercials on the Science Channel as I am?

I know chunk is the literal way to write it, but I've said chuck all my life (not often, but...) to chunk something sounds like you're using the wrong word.

     like chunk=piece


fun site-  http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html#errors
end rant

[72 yellow]

I always thought the commercials were made louder so you could still hear them in the kitchen, with your head stuck inside the fridge. 

[MCRider]

True: The FCC doesn't directly regulate the volume of commercials, but they do regulate total volume.

This is how I understand it. TV programs have nuance and hence only use total volume occasionally. Commercials care less for nuance and use total volume more. So average volume on commercials is higher than average volume in programs.

And we perceive commercials as louder, rather than as loud longer.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17229281/ns/business-consumer_news/

Confirming IC's first post.

[MCRider]

Help may be on its way: Note Nov 20, 09 update:

http://usgovinfo.about.com/b/2008/06/20/bill-would-lower-tv-commercial-volume.htm

[Industrial Cafe]

I did a customers house one time and his tv speakers were blown from a commercial that was a lot louder than the quiet show he was watching. 

  ...or at least loud long enough to fry the voice coils.

[Zaipai]

Help may be on its way: Note Nov 20, 09 update:

http://usgovinfo.about.com/b/2008/06/20/bill-would-lower-tv-commercial-volume.htm

Its ashamed that a law has to be made, you would think that the advertizers would get that the consumers don't like this and stop it on their own.. However I am glad its being done!

[gregimotis]

wouldn't you be a neo-luddite?  you are riding and typing on life altering technology.

Oh yeah... Luddites > me 

[Steve F]

on a side note-
Is anyone here as tired of the "punkin chunkin" commercials on the Science Channel as I am?

I know chunk is the literal way to write it, but I've said chuck all my life (not often, but...) to chunk something sounds like you're using the wrong word.

     like chunk=piece


fun site-  http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html#errors
end rant

I'm ABSOLUTELY SICK of their damn commercials on the Science channel...especially when they play the SAME FRIGGIN ONES 4 and sometimes 5 times an hour...the Mind Games...the How It's Made...the Pukin, I mean Punkin Chunkin.  GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY, I've had enough and hit the mute button, and look away since they anoy me so much.  I actually like most of the shows on the Science channel, but some I refuse to watch some because of their stupid commercials beign rammed down my throat.

[Industrial Cafe]

yeah, what are they thinking!?
I hate that commercial for the "future of" show. with that stupid song!!
I haven't seen it lately (thank God)

[Gordon]

on a side note-
Is anyone here as tired of the "punkin chunkin" commercials on the Science Channel as I am?

I know chunk is the literal way to write it, but I've said chuck all my life (not often, but...) to chunk something sounds like you're using the wrong word.

I think the correct term is actually "chuck", or at least it used to be. 

[Industrial Cafe]

I think the correct term is actually "chuck", or at least it used to be. 

yeah me too.

[Steve F]

on a side note-
Is anyone here as tired of the "punkin chunkin" commercials on the Science Channel as I am?

I know chunk is the literal way to write it, but I've said chuck all my life (not often, but...) to chunk something sounds like you're using the wrong word.

I think the correct term is actually "chuck", or at least it used to be. 

But the thing about a segment on that show is that they actually asked people at the event about that very word "chunk" vs. "chuck", and they all said "CHUNK" is right.  
"How much wood could a wood CHUNK CHUNK if a wood CHUNK could CHUNK wood?"
Probably used "chunkin" because it rymed with "punkin".  MORONS, plain and very simple.  

[Industrial Cafe]

it's sad really. people just butt-eff the english language and it's accepted, and in some cases, even changes it's meaning in the lexicon.

I think I said that right. hmm...