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Sunday, December 16, 2018

A Viewer Writes: Loud TV Advertisements

Joe, Over the years I have become increasingly agitated at loud advertisements. I’ve had to turn my volume control down on each occasion. I know legislation was passed to address this, but nothing has resulted from that. The typical response is the stations are not responsible for altering the signal they get from the network. Believe if you will, but I don’t. Is there anything that can be done? Automobile ads are the worst. They treat everyone as a knuckle-dragging dope, as they themselves appear. Thanks for your interest.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Holly Kia is the worst. I wouldn't buy a car from anybody dressed like a turkey.

Anonymous said...

Part of the volume issue has to do with how the sound is encoded...

Most TV programs nowadays are encoded as Dolby Stereo - which is great if you have a home theatre sound system. Using the speakers that the TV's currently come with means that you'll have to turn the sound up to account for the speakers lack of quality.

The commercials are encoded in standard stereo - which works fine with built-in speakers...and will instantly sound louder than the program you just left.

If the networks said "you have to provide the same quality audio encoding as the show being broadcast around your commercials" most of this issue would go away.

The local networks can adjust the sound - especially since it is local commercials! This does not address the cinematic quality of the commercials though!

Anonymous said...

They used to sell tvs that would keep the volume at one level but I think a lawsuit stopped them from selling them that way and I don't think the legislation actually passed. I agree it is annoying! So are the calls from spoof numbers.

Anonymous said...

Why is FCC allowing any of this, when is the last time you ran down to the store because of a TV ad anyway? Why do children need to see Viagra commercials or any other type of this BS.

Let's all look at the drug commercials, and then think about thoughts of suicide... LMAO.

Un-real, Un-plug - kill the ratings, and maybe they will listen then.

Anonymous said...

I remember some years ago it was in the news that legislation was introduced to quell this high volume noise during commercials. It was passed and said to take place months later. I anticipated this to come and am still waiting. Nothing has changed except the law.

Anonymous said...

Is this something Dr. Andy Harris could check out for us?

Anonymous said...

anl is the automatic noise limiter, an option in the setup of my tv. be sure it's on.

Anonymous said...

In my studio I have a piece of equipment called a "compressor/limiter. This unit equal out signals. On the cheap end a studio quality unit is $500.00. its total B.S. about network signals being louder plus Holly Kia does NOT advertise on the network, they only advertise locally.

Anonymous said...

For what good it will do, you can file a complaint with the FCC:

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/loud-commercials-tv

Anonymous said...

contact the fcc
also, check your tv, many have a setting to help mitigate this

Anonymous said...

I totally agree that this is so aggravating yet nothing gets done about it, even though we were told otherwise. Why don't they know the louder they are, the more they are muted. Progressive has dumb damn commercials also.

Anonymous said...

I think they're funny!

Anonymous said...

Don't bother complaining to WBOC or WMDT- what most people don't realize is that most TV stations, like most radio stations, are almost fully automated at this point. During the hours between newscasts, nobody is there monitoring the broadcasts- thats why WMDT can get a stuck picture during a football game that doesan't get solved until the next day- nobody is there to fix it.

You tv may have a "dynamic sound" or automatic volume leveling option in the menu- if you have it, make sure it is tuned on- won't fix it totally, but it will help a bit.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I totally agree that this is so aggravating yet nothing gets done about it, even though we were told otherwise. Why don't they know the louder they are, the more they are muted. Progressive has dumb damn commercials also.

December 10, 2018 at 9:14 AM

Progressive Radiology???

Anonymous said...

We don't listen to any commercials. When they come on I press the mute button, and don't unmute until they return to regular program.

Anonymous said...

Best advice I can give everyone is to turn it off and enjoy reality.

Anonymous said...

thanks for the fcc number and I will use it. Other car dealerships us the screaming sound as I use the volume delete. The worst is so county add about Delmarva and it just about breaks my ear drums. There is suppose to be some law on the books???