JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Mandatory Decibel Level

Is it just me or are there other complainers about the decibel levels of the entire Broadcast system. When I go from one TV station (or any streaming service) to the next, I have to reset the volume. Some are terribly loud, some terribly soft, it's a nuisance. Even going from one TV show to the next, just as bad. Isn't it time the industry insists on a mandatory decibel level? My wife just yelled at me for blasting out the TV. I told her I just changed the station. I'll adjust it.

Best, John

In Canada they are supposed to be set at one level, but I think there are a few that don't obey that rule

I have the impression that the TV commercials are much louder than the shows. I'm also constantly adjusting the volume.

All the best - Robert

Rob... Actually, between commercials and TV shows there doesn't seem to be a common denominator. Sometimes the commercials are even a lot softer than the shows.

Best, John

I have never bought anything from a commercial

Years ago the volume levels seem to be more uniform. Of course, that was before we had a zillion stations and many streaming services. Now it's each man to himself.

John

Yeah, but it pays for the shows Bennash.

John

I don't watch much TV

Back in 1983, I read an article that stated that Barbara Streisand called the TV network and told them to turn the volume down during the commercial breaks, during her film Yentl.
The article said that they did.
I don't know if it is true or not, but I did read the article.

Another wild card is the speaker system.
I recently bought a BOSE system for our master TV.
I plugged it up and we set it comfortable for watching a tv series.
It was fine until a commercial came on.
The additional lows and mids made it sound like the volume jumped by about 30%. Did the same thing to any music playing during the show.


I listened to podcasts at night through buds. Some of them are either terrible at mastering or they purposely bump the volume to the point of being uncomfortable at commercials.

I agree Marty. And, in many of the U.S. commercials the actors often shout instead of speaking normally.

Alas John I have a different take on why your wife noticed your TV noise level that might best be encapsulated as follows.

Man goes to his doctor for an annual checkup. He checks out well for his age apart from some aching joints in the morning and nightly visits to the bathroom.

As the checkup ends, the man says "Doc, I've been wondering about my wife and her hearing. It seems to be declining"

Doc says "Well, it's easy to figure out. Just go home, stand about 20 feet away, facing her back, and ask her in a low but clear voive what's for dinner. If she hears it, she is probably fine"

Man goes home and tries it. At 20 feet, not a peep out of her. 15 feet, still nothing. At 10 feet he notices her head moving from the back, but still no answer.

Finally he turns her and faces her and asks again.

She said "for the 4th time, chicken"

Moral of the story? Faults are hard of hearing.

Remember watching giant screen TVs, it's not just the volume but the clarity of every sound.

Somebody putting on a seatbelt sounds like a tractor trailer .

Scares the hell outta dogs too