Letter to the editor

ATSC Is Tackling DTV Audio Problems

To remedy the loudness problem, an ATSC group is writing a recommended practice guidebook that should be out next year, says Jim Starzynski, chairman of the ATSC ad hoc group on loudness. Another group is beginning work on the lip sync problem, he adds.
TVNewsCheck,

In response to [TVNewsCheck's] article "DTV Still Plagued by Hearing Problems," I would like to bring your readers up to date on activity within the Advanced Television Systems Committee that addresses the audio problems identified in the article.

The new digital system brings a desired increase in the dynamic range (difference between soft sounds to loud sounds) that broadcasts weren't capable of on analog TV.

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This has increased the potential for loud variation when changing DTV channels and at program-to-commercial transitions within a channel. Opening up this range has created the need for new audio loudness management techniques for the program provider and the broadcaster.

A group of industry experts with representation from the networks, broadcast groups, professional and consumer electronics manufacturers has been formed within the ATSC [and has] been looking at this problem for over a year.

This group is in the process of writing an ATSC "Recommended Practice" that will guide broadcasters and programmers with measuring, monitoring, metadata use and dynamics control techniques to improve the loudness portion of DTV.

The goal is to complete the recommended practice in 2009.

As the industry embraces the new operating practices required for optimum system performance, the public will be provided with uniform sound levels.

At DTV's full potential, the audience can choose a rich cinema-like experience the way the producer intended or very pleasing audio from just the speakers in the TV, both with consistent loudness and appropriate dynamic range to match the viewer's preference and the listening environment.

Concerning the issue of audio/video synchronization, it is also receiving the appropriate attention within the industry. The ATSC has a working group similar to the group on loudness focused on the topic. However, it is too early to report specific progress.

Jim Starzynski is chairman of the ATSC S6-3 Ad-Hoc Group on DTV Loudness, and principal engineer and audio architect, NBC Universal Advanced Engineering. He can be contacted at jim.starzynski@nbcuni.com.

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