Volume of Various TV Programs/Channels

Doesn't the FCC regulate this stuff?? Just about every time a commercial comes on the volume is way louder than the program I am watching so I have to turn it down. When I change the channel one program's volume may be way louder than the other. We seem to be constantly adjusting the volume because the networks apparently don't have to comply with any volume standards; they decide how loud I will listen to something. Sometimes I get so mad I want to write a letter but I am sure nothing will come from it. This is really annoying late at night when others are in bed sleeping and I decided on a reasonable volume then BAM, the TV is blasting!

Am I the only one annoyed by this?

Most newer TVs adjust that automatically. Time to upgrade!

It usually more often a setting in your television itself that contrrols this. It also comes by many names depending on the manufacturer. I think the FCC does have some controlof this but, they also give a pretty long leash too.

llazy_llama said:

Most newer TVs adjust that automatically. Time to upgrade!

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For my Sony HD TV already?? We just got a new VISIO flat screen last year for the kitchen and it doesn't control the volume either. I guess I missed out on that feature by only months.

GilaMinumBeer said:

It usually more often a setting in your television itself that contrrols this. It also comes by many names depending on the manufacturer. I think the FCC does have some controlof this but, they also give a pretty long leash too.

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Is that control called "The volume control of the volume control button"?
How about the "I can set the volume and it won't change unless I want it to button"?

I'll have to pull out the manuals tonight. I'll be P'd and yet happy if mine actually have this feature.

Point here also is that sometimes the volume increase is not just minor, but hurt your ears louder. I mean what the hell?? Sometimes we go diving for the remote the change is so great. And I am not talking about a commercial with a rock band in it, it could have butterflies in it and the volume still annoys us.

If it's a newer HDTV, it should definitely have that feature. If not, that's sort of like them selling a 2008 car that didn't come with cup holders.

Well, my Samsung calls it "Automatic Volume Control". I know some sets call it "Program Volume Control". Regardless it's always a On/Off setting buried within the sets menues. Usually the sound setting menu but sometimes in a general menu.

Many times tho', I have seen that "whatever it's called" does not work if External speakers are used.

IIRC, some of the Dish STB's have a similar function too.

Meh. I always leave mine off.

I use the mute button for commercials
A friend was over watching TV with us and commented that she never saw any one mute the commercials.
I thought that's what it was made for.

God bless my Dish Network DVR and its 30-second skip button.

I have AVC on my TV, and it works... for the most part. The big issue I have with it is if there is a pop or something in the program that's a lot louder than everything else, the TV will throttle the volume down and then it takes several seconds before it comes back up.

If you're on cable, call the cable company and let them know if the volume is different from one channel to another. When I worked for a cable co, we had a guy that would go out to the headends with a meter every few months and make sure they all match as best they could.

From what I understand, commercials aren't technically broadcast at a higher decibel level. They are highly compressed recordings, which makes them come out of your television speakers louder. I believe it's a loophole with the FCC. I can experience this with my guitar effects (MXR Dyna Comp compression pedal).

In any case, they get the mute button or the "what else is on"-button on my TV.

I don't have cable, not available on my road, I have Direct TV.

Checked both TV sets last night and neither had a volume control setting.

Part of the problem is often we are not just sitting in front of the TV with remote in hand (still annoying) but instead are doing things so it is a pain to have to go over to the remote to lower the volume and then when the program we were watching comes back on the volume is now so low we can't hear it so yet another trip to the remote and no, I am not getting a remote holster! And this goes on all night every what 10 minutes or so, quite annoying!

Did you check teh D-TV box? Sometime they have it too..

Edit: Provide the model numbers of the sets and I can help you find the location of teh setting.

So far, I have looked at 4 various Sony Manuals and they all have this feature. Sony calls it "Steady Sound" and it's an On/Off setting in the sound menu.

I haven't been able to locate any manuals for the Vizio (or Visio) but, I'd be willing to help.

GilaMinumBeer said:

Did you check teh D-TV box? Sometime they have it too..

Edit: Provide the model numbers of the sets and I can help you find the location of teh setting.

So far, I have looked at 4 various Sony Manuals and they all have this feature. Sony calls it "Steady Sound" and it's an On/Off setting in the sound menu.

I haven't been able to locate any manuals for the Vizio (or Visio) but, I'd be willing to help.

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Thanks, I will check the box tonight and get the model numbers. I'll do a search myself then if I still come up empty maybe you can try.

Funny. The commercials for DirecTv are the loudest.

jgln said:

Thanks, I will check the box tonight and get the model numbers. I'll do a search myself then if I still come up empty maybe you can try.

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No problem. My fee is $75/Hour. But, I'll settle for 12 Ounces HB per minute. The good stuff, stashed behind the porno's on teh top shelf in the guest closet. Just keep your wifes "massager" away from my beer.

GilaMinumBeer said:

No problem. My fee is $75/Hour. But, I'll settle for 12 Ounces HB per minute. The good stuff, stashed behind the porno's on teh top shelf in the guest closet. Just keep your wifes "massager" away from my beer.

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Hey, you been snoopin' around my house while I am at work? Well then take the dog out to pee and make sure the garden isn't drying up in this hot sunny weather! Sprinkler is set just need to turn it on and don't forget to put the porno's back where you found them

menschmaschine said:

From what I understand, commercials aren't technically broadcast at a higher decibel level.

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correct.

The commercial audio isn't technically louder.
It has a compressed Dynamic Range which makes it seem louder.
This effect is called Perceived Loudness.

A dramatic TV show will generally have a wider dynamic range than a :30 second Car Ad.

Unfortunately, automatic volume controls cannot deal with the most common tactic used for commercials, which is using a narrow frequency band and jamming all of the power where your ears are most sensitive.

thataintchicken said:

correct.

The commercial audio isn't technically louder.
It has a compressed Dynamic Range which makes it seem louder.
This effect is called Perceived Loudness.

A dramatic TV show will generally have a wider dynamic range than a :30 second Car Ad.

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So that is the equivalent of slamming a door repeatedly in my face for 30 seconds. Why is that ok?