Finally, some legislation I can get behind!

[Kaneman]

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MSNBC.com

House votes to lower volume on noisy TV ads
Bill aims to stop commercials from playing noticeably louder than programs
The Associated Press
updated 2:25 p.m. CT, Tues., Dec . 15, 2009

WASHINGTON - The House on Tuesday voted to level off the abrupt spikes in volume felt by television viewers during commercial breaks.

The bill — approved by a voice vote — is aimed at stopping TV ads from playing noticeably louder than programs.

"It's very frustrating," said Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va. "It's an annoying experience, and something really should be done about it."

Irritated by loud commercials, Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., drafted the measure after discovering it was a common complaint with the Federal Communications Commission.

Right now, the government doesn't have much say in the volume of TV ads. It's been getting grievances about commercial loudness for decades.

Correcting sound levels has its complications.

Managing the transition between programs and ads without spoiling the artistic intent of the producers poses technical challenges and may require TV broadcasters to purchase new equipment. To address the issue, an industry organization recently produced guidelines on how to process, measure and transmit audio in a uniform way.

The bill requires the FCC to adopt those recommendations from the Advanced Television Systems Committee as regulations within a year and begin enforcing them a year later.

Eshoo said the legislation would force the industry to comply with their own standards. "Volunteerism hasn't worked for 50 years," she said.

Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., addressed critics who have asked why Congress has to get involved in the matter.

"You can say, 'Well, that's fine. Just turn it off,'" Stearns said. "But it's constantly an irritant when you have to do it. And we've got all the new bowl games coming up."

An identical measure has been introduced in the Senate.

Some experts have said they are unsure whether viewers will notice much difference if the bills become law. Different volume levels can be part of storytelling. And some commercials may just seem noisy because they follow a quiet, intense scene.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34434875/ns/politics-capitol_hill/

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[tommymac]

Glad they could get all that done esp with the pesky healthcatre bill getting in their way :lol:

Now thye can get on with solving the BCS issues with college football.

Tom

[shmike]

It's no wonder these guys can't find the time to read important legislation.

That would require turning off the TV.

At least the NCAA will have a play-off system and the commercials won't be too loud. :idk:

[azoomm]

People still watch live TV and don't skip commercials?

[Avatard]

I have tinnitus [job risk], and prefer to sleep with the TV on low, in order to mask the ringing.

I hate when I'm almost asleep, and something twice as loud as the program material comes on, and shouts me awake.

As an audio professional, I am often called upon in mixing and mastering to handle program levels, ensure continuity, and perform dynamics management.

This isn't rocket surgery, and the industry has proven unable to police itself.

Time to put some simple audio level management standards into place.

[101lifts2]

Why is the government involved in this? Do they hate the marketing of products this much?

Typical Democrats pushing for this...

[derf]

I like this, something finally usefull to come out of DC

[Avatard]

Wrong, can't blame the Democrats (sooooo sorry, 101), blame the constituents.

Seems this is the single largest complaint to the FCC, and something that people have been complaining to elected officials about since...well, the beginning of TV, I suppose.

Oh, nice try, 101, maybe you shoulda read the story.

[shmike]

Wrong, can't blame the Democrats (sooooo sorry, 101), blame the constituents.

Seems this is the single largest complaint to the FCC, and something that people have been complaining to elected officials about since...well, the beginning of TV, I suppose.

Oh, nice try, 101, maybe you shoulda read the story.

It was drafted and presented by a Democrat.

Commercials are louder for a reason, they need to divert your attention from discovering the apple juice in your bottle of Ocean Spray.*




*Ocean Spray does not actually contain the ocean. It does not spray. It also contains no spray of, from or by the ocean. We apologize for the false advertising and will introduce a bill into Congress to rectify the situation immediately.

[Adeptus_Minor]

I like this, something finally usefull to come out of DC

That's what I'm saying. :dthumb:

[defector]

I like this, something finally usefull to come out of DC
While I think along these lines....

Why is the government involved in this?

I also ask this same question.

[LeeNetworX]

Wrong, can't blame the Democrats (sooooo sorry, 101), blame the constituents.

Seems this is the single largest complaint to the FCC, and something that people have been complaining to elected officials about since...well, the beginning of TV, I suppose.

Oh, nice try, 101, maybe you shoulda read the story.

So all of these years people have been complaining to elected officials, yet it was a dem who decided that now (of all times) was a good time to act on it?

Brilliant.

[askmrjesus]

Why is the government involved in this? Do they hate the marketing of products this much?

Typical Democrats pushing for this...

If the Government isn't going to regulate it, who is?

You?

If enough people get together, and say "We're sick of this shit", shouldn't the Government respond?

You realize this is supposed to be a democracy, right?

JC

[Tmall]

The government controls the airwaves. They're already involved in it.
This is fact. I can't scream "cocksicking motherfucking bitch" on live TV due to government regs.

Do you all complain about them being involved with that? Or is that ok?

[CasterTroy]

If enough people get together, and say "We're sick of this shit", shouldn't the Government respond?



I have a friend that’s a NC House representative, and he complains all the time that his job is to mainly "Legislate common sense"

He said that the big boys trying to make a name for themselves (so they can move on to line their pockets) generally have an agenda, but for the most part, their job entails making new laws so that stupid people (lacking common sense) don’t hurt themselves or piss off everyone else.

[Kaneman]

The government controls the airwaves. They're already involved in it.
This is fact. I can't scream "cocksicking motherfucking bitch" on live TV due to government regs.

Do you all complain about them being involved with that? Or is that ok?

I complain about it, I hate censorship.

BUT, since they're already in there, and we all know there is no cure for a Governmental viral infection, they might as well turn the volume down on those goddamn commercials.

[CrazyKell]

That's awesome! I hate how the volume jumps up at commercials.

And yes, I still watch Live TV. I am from the stone age.

[defector]

Don't most TV's nowadays (or made after like 2004) have automatic volume control?
I notice a volume change from channel to channel more than from program to commercial.

[101lifts2]

If the Government isn't going to regulate it, who is?

You?

If enough people get together, and say "We're sick of this shit", shouldn't the Government respond?

You realize this is supposed to be a democracy, right?

JC

No...because private industry is providing the service which you are not forced to buy (unless it's public tv).

You do realize that alot of cable channels DO NOT HAVE FUCKING COMMERICALS! So, if you don't like the commericals, then watch a cable channel that doesn't air them.

People will bitch about anything, but each year our government is gaining way too much control.

[101lifts2]

Wrong, can't blame the Democrats (sooooo sorry, 101), blame the constituents.

Seems this is the single largest complaint to the FCC, and something that people have been complaining to elected officials about since...well, the beginning of TV, I suppose.

Oh, nice try, 101, maybe you shoulda read the story.

Actually I'm surprised this didn't come from a Republican. Just because people complain about shit, doesn't mean the government needs to spend time make laws against it. We have 10 zillion laws now we cannot follow. Why do we need more?

And I read the story....

[101lifts2]

I have a friend that’s a NC House representative, and he complains all the time that his job is to mainly "Legislate common sense"

He said that the big boys trying to make a name for themselves (so they can move on to line their pockets) generally have an agenda, but for the most part, their job entails making new laws so that stupid people (lacking common sense) don’t hurt themselves or piss off everyone else.

The problem is that he doesn't need to do most things. So people get pissed or hurt themselves (with their own control), BFD. There are millions more people to take their place.

[CasterTroy]

The problem is that he doesn't need to do most things. So people get pissed or hurt themselves (with their own control). Big deal. There are millions more people to take their place.

There's a warning on draino not to take internally for a reason: Sue happy americans

[askmrjesus]

No...because private industry is providing the service which you are not forced to buy (unless it's public tv).

So democracy doesn't apply to private industry?
If it's not a Government funded enterprise, we can't regulate it? :lol: Good luck with that plan.

You do realize that alot of cable channels DO NOT HAVE FUCKING COMMERICALS! So, if you don't like the commericals, then watch a cable channel that doesn't air them.

People will bitch about anything, but each year our government is gaining way too much control.

Yeah. You're right. The world is going to end if we turn the commercial's volume down a tad. It's like fucking 1984 all over again.

JC

[Kaneman]

Don't most TV's nowadays (or made after like 2004) have automatic volume control?
I notice a volume change from channel to channel more than from program to commercial.

Who actually listens to audio through their TV speakers? Shit's weak.

No...because private industry is providing the service which you are not forced to buy (unless it's public tv).

You do realize that alot of cable channels DO NOT HAVE FUCKING COMMERICALS! So, if you don't like the commericals, then watch a cable channel that doesn't air them.

People will bitch about anything, but each year our government is gaining way too much control.

You do realize that the vast majority of cable channels DO HAVE FUCKING COMMERCIALS RIGHT?!??!?! IN FACT YOU ARE ONLY REFERRING TO THE PREMIUM CHANNELS. ALL THE SPORTS CHANNELS HAVE COMMERCIALS!! OH MY FUCKING GOD, WHY ARE WE YELLING, WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!?!? EEEEEGGAAAAADDDDDD MAN.

[defector]

Who actually listens to audio through their TV speakers? Shit's weak.


Since I don't have a home theater setup in every room with a TV, I do on occasion use the TV's standard audio.

[unknownroad]

You do realize that alot of cable channels DO NOT HAVE FUCKING COMMERICALS! So, if you don't like the commericals, then watch a cable channel that doesn't air them.


In what decade? I've got well over a hundred channels, and every one of them includes commercials. :idk:

[pauldun170]

I agree that the government shouldn't be wasting time on this and think that this was an oppurtunity for industry.

I have a radio and an MP3 player that automatically controls volume to keep audio at constistent levels. Why don't TV manfacturers do the same?

[askmrjesus]

I agree that the government shouldn't be wasting time on this and think that this was an oppurtunity for industry.

I have a radio and an MP3 player that automatically controls volume to keep audio at constistent levels. Why don't TV manfacturers do the same?

Great.

Let's put of all the nation's sound engineers out of work, so the makers of Oxy Clean can yell BUY IT NOW!!! at twice the compression ratio of normal programing.

I don't want my TV dumbed down to one volume level. I want to hear the sound the way is was meant to be heard: High in some spots, low in others.

JC

[Rider]

Do we really need to waste tax dollars on a fucking bill like this? Turn the fucking TV down. Here's a better idea, DVR all your shows and skip the commercials. Modern technology is a wonderful thing, some people just need to learn to embrace it....and use it.

[askmrjesus]

Do we really need to waste tax dollars on a fucking bill like this? Turn the fucking TV down. Here's a better idea, DVR all your shows and skip the commercials. Modern technology is a wonderful thing, some people just need to learn to embrace it....and use it.

Compared to some of the other shit we waste tax dollars on, at least this is somewhat useful.

Do you have any idea how much time these idiots spend debating shit like whether or not such and such date should be National Coffee Cup day?

JC

[Kaneman]

Do we really need to waste tax dollars on a fucking bill like this?

Yes!

[Rider]

Compared to some of the other shit we waste tax dollars on, at least this is somewhat useful.

Do you have any idea how much time these idiots spend debating shit like whether or not such and such date should be National Coffee Cup day?

JC

No and if I did I'd probably vomit.

[askmrjesus]

No and if I did I'd probably vomit.

Well then as your Physician, I advise you to stay far away from CSPAN. Shit's out of control.

JC

[Rider]

Well then as your Physician, I advise you to stay far away from CSPAN. Shit's out of control.

JC

Thanks for the tip.

[Kaneman]

Thanks for the tip.

I got a tip for ya right here.

[Rider]

I got a tip for ya right here.

:lol

[Smittie61984]

You realize this is supposed to be a democracy, right?

JC

Uh, what school did you stand outside of? We are a republic and not a democracy. Majority doesn't rule and if it did, then we'd have 2 wolves and 1 sheep deciding what's for dinner. Just pray you aren't the sheep.

A lot of TVs (especially those new big screen LCD TV's you guys are all bragging about) have automatic volume controls. A private solution to a private problem.

[Kaneman]

A lot of TVs (especially those new big screen LCD TV's you guys are all bragging about) have automatic volume controls. A private solution to a private problem.

Goddamn, do you guys even read half the responses before you post? This has been covered in two parts:

A) A lot of us enjoy our sound through digital audio sound systems, not the TV speakers.

B) Those of us who do enjoy high quality sound do not want it "dumbed down to one volume level" as JC put it.

Forcing broadcasters to end the practice of having commercials that are often very much louder than the broadcast's median level is a better answer.

[Smittie61984]

Goddamn, do you guys even read half the responses before you post? This has been covered in two parts:

A) A lot of us enjoy our sound through digital audio sound systems, not the TV speakers.

B) Those of us who do enjoy high quality sound do not want it "dumbed down to one volume level" as JC put it.

Forcing broadcasters to end the practice of having commercials that are often very much louder than the broadcast's median level is a better answer.

Then bitch to the networks or bitch to the manufacturer of your digital audio sound system. I'm sure they can have top notch 12 year old Asian engineers figuring out how to keep commercials down and the rest of the sound up during the movie.

Infact aren't some cable/satelite/tivo boxes able to automatically ignore commercials when you record a show? Couldnt' this same technology be applied to your stereo equipment? Such as normal sound during the show but when a commercial comes on your TV recognizes it and sends a signal to your digital audio equipment to turn the volume down if not mute it all together (mute another great invention you can find on your remote control)

Whatever you do or want why do you have to go crying to the government and have them use their policing powers to force a private entity to do what you want them to do?

[Kaneman]

Sorry, I forgot to add:

C) Sports are broadcast live, many of us prefer to watch them that way.

D) The Government already has their hands on television broadcasting, they might was well do something useful while they're there.

[Smittie61984]

Sorry, I forgot to add:

C) Sports are broadcast live, many of us prefer to watch them that way.

D) The Government already has their hands on television broadcasting, they might was well do something useful while they're there.

And when your cable box is recording the live show it is coming in as live to the cable box. You may not see it live but your Tivo did and it was able to recognize commercials and cut them out.

Do we not have the technology for our TV to recognize a commercial and turn the volume down? And if we do would you support a private solution or a government intervention?

[Kaneman]

And when your cable box is recording the live show it is coming in as live to the cable box. You may not see it live but your Tivo did and it was able to recognize commercials and cut them out.

Do we not have the technology for our TV to recognize a commercial and turn the volume down? And if we do would you support a private solution or a government intervention?

Come on man, I've had TIVO for 10 years, I know how it works. :lol: There are a myriad of reasons one would want to view a program live. In my case, one reason to watch sports live, is because I talk about the games with their happening with my friends and I follow the Fantasy scores online. Were I to do that while watching a pre-recorded game there would be no suspense and thus no reason to watch the sporting competition in the first place. There are many other reasons in addition to that.

If there were a private solution, that wouldn't cost me any money, and would be ready sooner than the government can force broadcasters to lower commercial volume then yes, I would support it. Outside of that, I'm all about letting the govt force them to do it. If the government weren't already in control of broadcasting then no, I would no support this venture. But what's done is done, the govt will not be getting any smaller, and I'm tired of being screamed at while enjoying a broadcast.

[Smittie61984]

If there were a private solution, that wouldn't cost me any money, and would be ready sooner than the government can force broadcasters to lower commercial volume then yes, I would support it. Outside of that, I'm all about letting the govt force them to do it. If the government weren't already in control of broadcasting then no, I would no support this venture. But what's done is done, the govt will not be getting any smaller, and I'm tired of being screamed at while enjoying a broadcast.

So as long as it doesn't affect you then it's okay? And people call me the selfish one.

Interestingly enough on the TV programs I do watch I don't notice screaming commercials. I also remember reading a study that showed the louder the commercial the dumber the viewer/listener (such as compare a KIA BLOWOUT SALE!!!! vs a Mercedes Benz commercial) is. Yet the few times I do watch sports on TV I actually do notice loud commercials. Interesting.

[Kaneman]

So as long as it doesn't affect you then it's okay? And people call me the selfish one.

Interestingly enough on the TV programs I do watch I don't notice screaming commercials. I also remember reading a study that showed the louder the commercial the dumber the viewer/listener (such as compare a KIA BLOWOUT SALE!!!! vs a Mercedes Benz commercial) is. Yet the few times I do watch sports on TV I actually do notice loud commercials. Interesting.

Don't say Mercedes Benz. Bastards.

Yes, as long as broadcasters doing the right thing doesn't affect me in a negative way, its ok.

[pauldun170]

Depends on the commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUNg9LYqUwQ&feature=player_embedded#