In article ,
jakdedert wrote:
Again it depends on the programme preceding the ads. If a brash game
show etc chances are the ads won't sound louder. If some drama with a
poignant end chances are they will.

Huh uh. We're talking about levels, like you said, varying by 30 dB.

Crikey - I was talking about between different channels on satellite.
Don't think I've noted that on any one channel.

I haven't measured it here, but it could be that much. It's about
local cable companies charging $55/month for 'basic' cable, but not
hiring somebody to simply *listen* to the feed when they dump in
commercials which are wildly different in level.

Think you'll find even the major channels don't do that either these days.
Trouble is it wouldn't be one person but a team to cover 24/7 - and an
expensive team of skilled personnel to work effectively. Then there'd be
the problem of an advertiser claiming his ad didn't sound loud enough if
it were altered. And they are the paymasters - not you. Unless legislated
for.
They rely on the material being transcribed into their server at the
correct level - or being supplied as such on whatever material they
transmit from. And as I said thereby is the problem as relative loudness
depends on programme content.

It's NOT a matter of opinion when you turn the volume to a point where
it's barely background level, and then get jolted out of your sleep by a
literally blaring commercial.

I'd rather not watch TV that sends me to sleep. ;-)

It's mostly about money and an unwillingness to pay for technical
competency. The over the air stations, when I listen to/watch them,
don't have this problem to nearly this degree.

Indeed - but plenty still complain about the major channels where more
care is taken. And have done (in the UK) since commercial TV started. ITV
in the UK do have a maximum peak level for commercials some 4dB lower than
progs. Which mostly works - but not always.

--
*Laugh alone and the world thinks you're an idiot.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.