Sound advice from ITU to keep TV volume in check

A new ITU standard on audio levels for broadcast television is on the table aimed at putting an end to annoying variations in sound volume between programmes and advertising breaks.Many viewers are irritated when changing channels or cutting to a commercial break leads to a significant variation in the audio levels accompanying the picture. Viewers generally adjust the sound to their liking when they settle down to watch their programme, only to find that changing channels or interrupting the programme for an advertising break requires them to adjust the volume control all over again.ITU's proposed new measuring technique will bring more uniformity to loudness in international programme exchange and make television viewing more pleasurable. Loudness variation has become more noticeable with the advent of digital broadcasting because of higher sound quality, so this development is expected to be eagerly received by industry and viewers alike. To rectify the problem, broadcasters need a monitor or meter which displays 'loudness' (rather than electrical signal strength), and an agreement on a standard setting level for loudness, so that sound technicians everywhere can make the same adjustment. The draft new ITU-R Recommendation suggests how sound levels should be measured and set in international programme exchange to maintain more constant volume for viewers.The new standard complements existing Recommendation ITU-R BS.1770, which describes features of the 'loudness meter' that should be used by broadcasters to measure loudness.