Hello. Since TV sound systems don't come with build-in compressors, I'm wondering the best setup to achieve this easily. It would be useful for watching telly at night -when an often blaring background score/soundtrack annoys the family/neighbours, whereas the speech would become barely audible were the volume reduced. Also, would this prevent ads from suddenly going louder in comparison to the film/programme? I only ask because I'm not sure if they only turn up the volume of frequencies that we're more responsive to (using a preceived 'loudness' feature). Would that require a basic multiband compressor or EQ + compressor?

Thanks

Quote J.A.S:

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Hello. Since TV sound systems don't come with build-in compressors,

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The LG TV in my bedroom does. I switched it off when it first arrived (it was on by default) and it will remain switched off.

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An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

I'm happy with my trusty remote control. Can't believe any mere machine would be able to set the volume correctly at all times.

The remote also enables me to jump over these "ads" of which you speak. Which is nice.

Well... I'd only use only very late so I can follow something until I fall asleep without needing headphones. Even when I watch comedy stuff (when I'm not particularly bothered about quality) the intro music is really annoying. (Not quite as bad as the Alan Titmark show, Emmerdale, but I don't watch that stuff!)

I can't remember the last time I actually watched TV. Time better spent in the studio or practicing guitar me thinks

This would also be useful for listening to Radio 3 in the car. It's a choice between the quiet parts disappearing into the background engine noise or "Tinnitus by Sibelius".

JAS, I suspect in your case the answer might lie in wireless headphones.

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Ohm's Law states, "Your PA isn't as powerful as you think it is".

Quote _ Six _:

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I can't remember the last time I actually watched TV. Time better spent in the studio or practicing guitar me thinks

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I'd say it's important for the subconscious to escape the usual and unwind too. I spend almost all my time studying or writing music, but I also love films and comedy and doing other art stuff at the weekends. I don't get much sleep generally either.

I agree with the Radio 3 thing: one moment you can't hear it above the car noise, then you're jumping out of your skin! (Could even be dangerous).

Nothing is worse than the 'networks with movies interrupted by commercials'. Or vice versa. Invariably I'll have the volume up to hear dialog, and an occasional loud movie part does not bother me. But when those commercials come on, MAN they blast me out. Even strait up tv shows are manageable because at least they are loud like the commercials, so I can turn it all down.

Anyway, if you are using a digital cable set top box, the audio menues give you a 'volume range'. This is compression. I've been wondering about these settings myself, like is the 'loud' setting actually 'normal' dynamics? I've been meaning to explore this.

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Gear list: If you can't find it, grind it

CPC sell a product that's designed to do just this... IIRC it's marketing blurb states specifically that one of its uses is to stop commercial-break material blaring out.

Searching the CPC website is only for the enthusiast and I don't have the time right now... I'll try and do some more digging later on.

Not what I was thinking of, but try THIS for starters...

The issue of adverts blaring in comparison to a feature film is being resolved. The ITU-R BS.1770-1 standard (adopted by the EBU as R-128) -- look them up -- on loudness metering and control is gradually being embraced by broadcasters around the world (many are already using it) and will solve this problem once and for all. I would estimate that we are within a year or 18 months of this issue going away for good.

The dynamic range issue is a little harder to deal with, simply becuase of the wide variety of user requirements. Dolby Digital -- as used by the majority of HD satellite broadcasters -- has a dynamic range control (DRC) facility which can be accessed from the home theatre unit or set top box. This will reduce the dynamic range of the broadcast material according to the user's requirements and the broadcasters preferences. When creating a Dolby Digital soundtrack, the creator has to choose their prefered dynamic reduction settings (in terms of preset compression slopes, thresholds, limiting points etc). The end user can then decide whether to apply these or not, and often how hard to apply them!

In addition, most TVs these days have some form of dynamic range control functionality built in. It is usually quite crude, but better than nothing.

Finally, it is worth bearing in mind that feature films are mixed to be heard in a cinema with seriously high peak levels available. They naturally have a very wide dynamic range. That kind of dynamic range is wholy inappropriate for most domestic listening situations -- so it's not really the fault of the broadcasters. Most do the best they can to reduce the dynamic range where they can.

hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

Quote _ Six _:

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I can't remember the last time I actually watched TV. Time better spent in the studio or practicing guitar me thinks

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I often do both (usually while slouched in a posturally-inadvisable position on the sofa) so I'd want a TV compressor that can do some ducking whenever I strike a note!

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Somebody call The Doctor

My LG telly has a thing called "Clear voice" that keeps the spoken bits louder than the music. Before i got it i used to be continually on the remote turning it up & down.