Dolby Volume set to eliminate loud commercials

Original post: click here

Subscribe to these comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

zargon @ Sep 5th 2007 12:19PM

This has been fixed for normal broadcast for sometime, like aaron said, I think it was a FCC rule.

I however have noticed this on digital and HD broadcasts now. I have not noted if this is just on OTA broadcasts via cable (for me) or all including cable/satellite only channels... but it has been a problem.

Highest Ranked

Shane Walker @ Sep 5th 2007 12:50PM

When I first heard about the new Dolby technology some months ago via the HTguys podcast, I almost literally threw my hands up in the air and yelled "Hallelujah!" We've needed a high-quality (read perceptibly lossless in mix distortion) volume regulator for sooooo long. And it's NOT for just commercials, folks.

Think of it this way...how many times have you changed channels (digital, satellite, cable, OTA, you name it) and the variance in volume level is astounding, right? So this will really change surfing, for one.

And also, my BIG pet peeve: how many "action" or "thrillers" or "horror" or "sci-fi" etc movies have soundtrack mixes where they seem to rely on blasting sound effects as a way to 'surprise' the audience (an ANNOYING cheat, as it should be quality filmmaking that does this, not cheap shots like this)? They have the dialogue volume really low so you crank up the volume to hear what the hell the actors are saying, then WHAM!!! a window shatters or a machine gun suddenly rattles off. It's not shocking or exhilerating in any substantive manner and it really only ends up annoying the crap out of me (and I know I'm not alone). A loud battle scene I can understand, but the filmic equivalent of a fireside sudden "BOO!!" is way, way, way overused.

I said it when I first heard of this Dolby Volume and I'll say it again--the SECOND it shows up in an A/V reciever, I'm buying it. Money well spent and I think it will prove to be about as groundbreaking/transformative to a quality, user-empowering HT experience as the commercial skip button on DVRs and macro-programmable remotes have proven to be.

Bring it one, Dolby! Hoorah!

Neutral

Big Sam @ Sep 5th 2007 1:24PM

I've noticed it on my HD locals and on HD cable channels. Its especially bad on ESPN-HD, which sucks because sports (mainly football) is the only thing I absolutely have to watch live, so commercial skipping is not an option. And sometimes I'll leave it on for background noise until I get the screaming lawyer or car salesman.

Neutral

Paul @ Sep 6th 2007 4:21AM

I haven't noticed any loud commercials in a while. Although if it does happen I'll be the first to bitch up a storm.

Has anyone else noticed that HD channel volumes seem to be much lower than SD channels?

Add your comments

New Users

Name

E-mail

Current Users

E-mail:

Password

Remember Me

E-Mail me when someone replies to this comment

replying to thread #7167307

Add your comments:

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

Please note that gratuitous links to your site are viewed as spam and may result in removed comments. And yes, comments are moderated.

5th Cell on Scribblenauts' control scheme, and more insights Impressions: Metro 2033 BBC's 'The Big Questions' tackles Modern Warfare 2	Windows Marketplace now open for all (recent) Windows Mobile phones Once again, Microsoft puts a download page live with no downloads to back it up Mozilla's Weave browser sync add-on for Firefox hits beta
Hands-on (and feet-on) with RunKeeper Pro Pasting with style in Apple's iWork suite Phil Libin on the past, present, and future of Evernote	Bernanke says he'll keep an eye on the falling dollar Paul Krugman: China needs to end its fixed currency policy Closing Bell: As the bears see sunset... (XOM, C, DELL, PLA, CSCO, LOW)
NHL Arcade is the Xbox Live Deal of the Week Fight: Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper Nov. 26 in Europe Tweet about Xbox Final Fantasy XIII, win a mystery prize	REPORT: BMW X3 U.S. launch delayed by up to 6 months for custom order effort Fiat reveals new Doblo... will it come to America to challenge Ford's Transit Connect? Rumormill: Holden-based, RWD 2012 Chevy SS coming after all?
Mini-sales going on today in PC game land Hackers claim to create dedicated servers for Modern Warfare 2 Developer diary lays out what to expect from Dawn of War 2: Chaos Rising	Report: Larry Johnson Headed to Cincy Charles Woodson's Inspired Performance Paces Packers' Defense Bozo the Coach, Andy Reid and the Belichick Precedent

Original post: click here

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

zargon @ Sep 5th 2007 12:19PM

Shane Walker @ Sep 5th 2007 12:50PM

Big Sam @ Sep 5th 2007 1:24PM

Paul @ Sep 6th 2007 4:21AM

Add your comments

Windows 7 media center review

Logitech Harmony Adapter for Playstation 3 review

HD 101: What is ATSC, PSIP, QAM, and 8-VSB?

How to install a CableCARD tuner in your DIY Media Center

DISH Network launches remote DVR control

Engadget HD Podcast 157 - 09.29.2009

Paradigm SUB 25 subwoofer review

Engadget goes behind the Dolby logo

Breaking news Feed

Featured stories Feed

Resources

Sections

Hardware

Manufacturers

Channels

Technology

Delivery

Programming