Why do the Ads Sometimes Sound Louder Than the Programmes?
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Obviously enough people have asked TVNZ about this, as they've got an official reply to this query on their website.
So should there be tougher limits on advertisement audio compression? According to this article, the Australian Broadcasting Authority has been looking into the issue over there.
During prime-time (until 10.30pm every evening), programmes have 'break titles', which help a little - when a commercial break is coming up, there's roughly 5 seconds of theme music and the show's titles and imagery is shown. Helps both to 'warn' the viewer that the ads are coming up, and raises the sound in cases where the programme has softer audio levels.
But at other times the volume change is very noticeable. It's in everyone's best interests to maintain audio levels since viewers would be more likely to change channels if the ads are too loud, surely?
posted by Anonymous at 2:00 PM
5 Comments:
The worst offenders are The Warehouse, Briscoes and Rebel Sport. Funny how they are all chasing the same socio economic sector, yobbos that is.
They're louder? I wouldn't know. They're always muted here.
And here. Would love to get a TIVO and zip through all the ads. There's nothing worse than the blaring tunes of The Warehouse or the like.
Of all the buttons on our remote control, I reckon the MUTE one has the most wear and tear. Overcompression does produce a wall of sound that's offensive to most people who prefer not being yelled at every seven minutes. We've killed audio on the ads for years.
But some of us find the "commercials to programme ratio" equally abnoxious, especially when a majority are generally brash and repeat every break. Do we still hold the dubious honour of having the highest figure in the world?
And that doesn't take into account the endless station promos that we suffer in Godzone? These are also (subjectively) loud, repetitive and occupy several minutes per hour. With a commercial programme hour running at 45 mins, a full quarter of our viewing can be muted and probably should be.
Anyone who's watched good commercial tele (Britain's a great example) will realise that "less is more" when it comes to ads and promos. I enjoy watching well made commercials with a bit of subtlety. I hate BEING SHOUTED AT.
Amend the charter... decommercialise TVOne... bring on Tivo!
Forget TVNZ tune to SKY the NZ product is depressingly poor except Judy of course she is a star. Watching Kim Hill interview some non-entity is depressingly bad compared with Hardtalk. That woman is no-where nearly as intelligent as she thinks.
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