[BC] DTV Audio Levels

[Rich Wood]

------ At 07:05 PM 6/14/2009, Thomas G. Osenkowsky wrote: -------

>The processor is designed to make the audio levels
>as heard by human ears consistent. I was sold on the
>device. The bottom line is that there is a problem and
>there is a solution.

Maybe I've spent too much of my career programming in major cities 
where we try and eliminate as many irritants as possible. It may not 
be as ratings sensitive as radio but I have to believe people are 
just going to say to Hell with it and go out for a walk. I vividly 
recall the relatively intense uproar of viewers that caused the FCC 
to get involved in commercial levels relative to program levels.

As far as the dramatic differences between station is concerned I'd 
be happy with a group of people setting the overall level by ear for 
each station relative to the others. The lack of a digital VU meter 
might make matching network/local levels a problem. It sounds to me 
as though, from an audio standpoint, this isn't ready for prime time 
even though there's nothing left but prime time. Anything that causes 
fatigue or irritation most likely affects ratings where a period of 
quality appreciation has come and gone. There must still be a little 
left because people in my circle of friends are willing to set up 
elaborate home theatres. I can imagine TV suffering the same fate as 
radio where broadcast TV is replaced by DVDs and Blu-Ray. At least 
you expect to be deafened by the dynamic range of the disc.

I hope the processor you heard gets into the field quickly. The 
markings on the mute and volume buttons on my remote are nearly worn 
away. As I've said before, this zapping of spots out of necessity is 
a great disservice to advertisers. This might be just the time we 
need the folks Touched by an Angel.

Advertisers are good.

Rich