Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

[bowman316]

I seems to me like when ever the show you are watching on TV goes to commercial, they jack up the volume. I have to usually turn the volume down when the commercials come on, then turn it back up when the movie comes back on.

I noticed this on AMC, and I know several other stations do it. maybe it is just comcast.
but it is really annoying.
do you think they reall do this?

 

[Thad]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

I think they do.

Think about it, the ads are there to try and sell product. So even if you don't like the commercial, or pay attention, subconsciously, it is in your head. (Just from having to turn the volume down) The next time you go to the store and are looking for something, a little voice inside will say get this one.

I agree witih you. It does seem louder and I have dish. I wish they would not run any commercials.

Drop the price of the product and I will buy it. I figure if you've got the money to advertise, then you don't need mine.

 

[Aviator5]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

"Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?"

-to wake you up, so you can watch the show.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

I automatically hit mute when the commercial volume is higher (my TV mutes to 25%), then when the show comes back, the TV is unmuted. Kind of a PITA, but it's my way of circumventing their little ploy to try and get me to pay attention to their stinkin commercial.

I know, I know, it's a futile effort, but it make me feel better...

 

[nlain]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

Mute fixes that, they all do it, all channels and all the different providers. I also think there are more commercials that there is show.

 

[Pascal]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

This annoy's me as well..... but

According to broadcast regulations in Canada at least, as I understand, they are not allowed to adjust the 'VOLUME' of the commercial segment above that of the program. There is nothing that says they can't adjust the 'tone' to increase the penetration of the commercial voice/tune.

If you change between the presets of your tone control on a home theater system without adjusting the volume, I believe that you will see the same effect except they calculate to maximize the intended effect during the commercials.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

commercials? Who watches those anymore?

I've gotten so used to skipping them that if for some awful reason I have to watch live tv, i just hit pause for 15 mins and come back so I can fast forward.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

It sells product (so they seem to think) just like the "suggestion frames" that they used years ago intermittently to brainwash you. They were outlawed if I remember correctly.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

There is a new law coming up here in the states that will take care of that soon. Was told they do this to grab our attention which it does. Not sure when it goes in effect.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

I seem to recall reading that the commercial cannot be any louder then the loudest portion of the broadcast. So, if there is an explosion or loud music somewhere in the broadcast, the commercial can air at that level.

 

[joed]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

The I was told is that there is max sound level within the signal band. The commercials make sure they use the highest sound level possible. If the program is not using the same high level the commercial will be louder than the program.

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

The Motorola cable box we have has a option for fixed volume, I don't have that problem anymore.

 

[skargo]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

commercials? Who watches those anymore?

I've gotten so used to skipping them that if for some awful reason I have to watch live tv, i just hit pause for 15 mins and come back so I can fast forward.

WINNER! I do the same.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

Their are audio control boxes for sale for this exact problem. They
automatically adjust your tv volume.

In our area it's the car dealer commercials that are really obnoxious.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

Their are audio control boxes for sale for this exact problem. They
automatically adjust your tv volume.

In our area it's the car dealer commercials that are really obnoxious.

Heard about those but the mute button is free of charge other than the occasional battery in the remote !!!

 

[bowman316]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

yea, my sister has fios, with a built in dvr. and that is nice to fast forward thru commercials. but you can only fastforward if oyu pause it for 15 minutes or so, or if you have been watching the same channel for a while.
even if the show is not live, it will not let you fastforward, if you just tuned into the show.

 

[DianneB]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

It is true that almost all commercials adjust their equalization. Instead of running "flat" (which gives the best sound quality), the push the highs and cut the lows which gives the same reading on a VU meter - they started doing that decades ago when the Broadcast Standards Council mandated that commercials be at the same sound level as programming (as measured by the VU meter).

What is REALLY sad is that there was a "black box" developed over 20 years ago that detected the change in the signals and automatically muted commercials but it was banned in North America. Goes to show who controls our governments!

 

[mike243]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

another anoying thing about commercials is all the different noises they put into them,whisles bells phone rings ect... ,also the side music drowning out the talking makes for a bad show too me

 

[smclear]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

To answer the OP, advertisers understand that many people (pre DVR time) used the "commercial time" to run to the kitchen, go to the bathroom, etc. They purposely increased the volume to make their message heard when you do these things. Can't remember where, when I heard that but it makes perfect sense.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Why are the commercials louder than the show you are watching?

It could also be that they know you are in the kitchen or bathroom and they don't want you to miss hearing what they are trying to sell