Commercials TOO Loud
joesgirl
Enthusiast - Level 1

Is anyone else sick and tired of commercials that are 3 times louder than the shows?!!! There has to be something Verizon can do about this.  I'm thinking about switching back to Comcast or going to Direct TV.

Re: Commercials TOO Loud
jumpin68ny
Master - Level 2

OMG, I thought it was just me.  My wife and I are getting really upset the volume difference between the show and the commercial.  We watch our TV on volume level 3-4 which is not that loud but when the commercial comes on we have to grab the remote quickly and turn it down to 1.  Our kids are sleeping so its very disruptive.  

Anyone have thoughts on this would be appreciated, and quickly.....

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Re: Commercials TOO Loud
Bob_Robertson
Specialist - Level 1

Just Google "Commercials TOO Loud"

It has been an ongoing "complaint" for like 30 years....

But there was a recent article that the FCC may finally do something about it

It is not a Verizon thing

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Re: Commercials TOO Loud
jumpin68ny
Master - Level 2

I will agree that it comes back to the broadcasters but having recently switched from DirecTV, the loudness is much more noticeable with FIOS vs. DirecTV.  We never had to turn down the volume as much as we do now.

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Re: Commercials TOO Loud
VZ_JoeD
Contributor - Level 1
Regarding your discussion about commercials being louder than the program, I would really like to ask if you can provide :

City
State
Date
Channel
Specific commercial
Time (within 30 minutes
)

when you notice the commercial audio get louder than the program. This will help us to isolate if Verizon may be able to improve your viewing experiences.
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Re: Commercials TOO Loud
Weaver_Family
Newbie

Oh wow, I thought it was just at our house! This happens to our VerizonFiOS programming everyday, but here's an example:

City  Sarasota

State  FL

Date  10/03/09

Channel  Speed 83

Specific Commercial  Barrett Jackson's Auctions & the following commercial

Time  9:45am

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Re: Commercials TOO Loud
spacedebris
Master - Level 2

Well Verizon could do something about it but they likely will not. This was a major selling point for Verizon. Verizon is the only company out right now that does not alter the audio and video from the broadcaster (or as little as possible for conversion and compression needs). Most companies (Direct TV, Comcast, Time Warner, etc) all take the signal sent to them by the broadcaster then alter the audio and video for their own needs. Verizon advertised and has stuck to that promise of not altering the signal and sending it to the customer in the way that the broadcaster intended. This is both good and bad. For those of us that want unaltered signals so that we can get the best possible clarity and performance this is perfect. However the downside is that the commercials come in loud because the channels purposely turn the commercial volumes up. They are actually paid by many commercial companies to do this. Supposedly to get your attention. You'll notice that even the companies like Direct TV that do try and moderate the volume, wont do so during special events. Like the Superbowl. During these special events the broadcasters require that the cable companies not turn down the commercials. But during standard broadcasting, they still require the volume on the commercials to be louder but the cable companies are able to turn it down to the point that it is almost not noticeable. Verizon on the other hand, when they were getting into the TV business did focus groups and polls to cable customers for what they liked and didnt like from the cable companies and one of the major complaints was that the cable companies would alter the signal and that the customers were not getting the true broadcast. So Verizon decided to not alter the signal. Now it would be nice if they could alter only the commercials but that really isn't possible, its either all or nothing. So in order to get unaltered programming and movies, we also have to deal with unaltered commercials.

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Re: Commercials TOO Loud
koolcouple
Enthusiast - Level 2

There is nothing you can do about this problem. The guys who do the commercials know that you will probibly leave the room when the commercials come on so what do they do? They crank up the volume on their commercial so you will hear it from the other room. It isn't fios' fault, the guys who make the commercials just set the volume louder for the video and fios can't fix every commercial (And even if they wanted to the channels have control over the commercials)

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Re: Commercials TOO Loud
NOYB
Enthusiast - Level 2

Actually there are somethings people can do about this.

Write and file a complaint with:

FCC

Service providers (cable company, network stations, etc.)

Use the Auto Volume Level capability built into many A/V products (TVs, Receivers, etc.).

From this time forward REFUSE to purchase any A/V product not having good Auto Volume Level capability.

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Re: Commercials TOO Loud
Bob_Robertson
Specialist - Level 1

http://bly.com/blog/general/are-tv-commercials-too-loud/

For those that dont want to click

Are TV Commercials TOO LOUD?

September 28th, 2009 by Bob Bly

 

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D., CA) seems to think so.

According to an article in Parade (9/27/09, p. 6), Eshoo recently introduced the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Migitation Act (CALM) — I kid you not.

If CALM passes, the FCC would be required to set new limits requiring lower volume on TV commercials.

Consumer advocates support CALM, arguing that “Advertisers simply do not have a right to scream at consumers in their living rooms,” says Joel Kelsey of Consumers Union.

Advertisers and the FCC point out that if consumers want less volume on TV commercials, they can simply use their remotes to turn down the sound.

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