TV Ads are getting LOUDER

[Barbarafb]

Does anyone have contact details for the broadcasting bunch responsible for the sound quality of TV ads?  I believe it is at an all-time high and totally unacceptable.  The BBC are even worse than the commercial stations during links or when advertising their own programmes.  I have got to the stage where I merely 'mute' the set, rendering them counter-productive.  I used to have the address to write to but, trusting soul that I am, thought I would only have to complain once!

[IndieSinger]

I think you'd be best off with OFCOM seeing as they're independently responsible for television output across the channels. Either that or complain to the Customer Service Departments of the BBC and ITV separately.

I haven't really noticed the main adverts being any louder, but I have noticed a distinct difference between programme volume level and advert volume level (what I mean is that it could be the programmes that are quieter rather than the adverts being louder). Like when you're watching a film on Channel 4 or one of any muder mysteries on ITV1 - the ones that are sponsored by people (Stella Artois, Motorola etc.) - the sponsor's part, which appears at the start of an advert break and at the end, seem much louder and make you jump out of your skin. ("HELLOOO MOTO!!") What's happened is the programme's volume is quieter, so you turn it up nice and loud. Then the adverts aren't as quiet so your ears get blasted.

Maybe it's when they show older films/programmes when the technology wasn't as good and sound output was quieter. The contemporary adverts will go out at the current defined level for optimum quality.

 

[THECORBYLOON]

This is what it says in the COMMITTEES OF ADVERTISING PRACTICE  Guide   "6.9 Sound levels in advertisements

Advertisements must not be excessively noisy or strident. Studio transmission power must not be increased from normal levels during advertising breaks

Note:

The peak level of sound at the studio output should not exceed +8dBm.

To ensure that the subjective volume is consistent with adjacent programming, whilst also preventing excessive loudness changes, highly compressed commercials should be limited to a Normal Peak of 4 and a Full Range of 2�4 (measured on a PPM Type IIa, specified in BS6840: Part 10, Programme Level Meters). A fairly constant average level of sound energy should be maintained in transitions from programmes to advertising breaks and vice versa so that listeners do not need to adjust the volume. A perceived loudness meter may be useful where sound levels might cause problems."

[tomd]

Without meaning to knock your answer Indie, the sound levels can and should be quite easily set when playing from film, and on tv should be normallised around a constant volume - so if there's a difference in sound levels between the tv programme / film and the advert breaks, it's probably intentional. I have noticed it myself, especially that tune on the stella adverts around channel 4 films.

[eckie]

ye know too much!

[richfo]

 

Its worse on digital/sat/cable as opposed to old analogue. I agree it is louder than ever and is a pain.