Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Users of audio description often get second-rate audio (mosen.org)
submitted by jmosen
jmosen [OP] 4 points 3y ago
To add to my original post on this, the issue is even more significant. People have contacted my podcast to let me know that often, even when a TV show for example is in 5.1, the audio description of the show is only in stereo, or even at times in mono.
I’m hoping to put a site together with a petition asking broadcasters and studios to address this. It would be interesting to hear from members about whether they are experiencing these issues and where you are located.
I’m hoping to put a site together with a petition asking broadcasters and studios to address this. It would be interesting to hear from members about whether they are experiencing these issues and where you are located.
laconicflow 5 points 3y ago
I'm in the US. And my major problem with audio description is that when naration cuts across action, the audio is dropped down to a much lower vollume, which is hugely distracting and rips me right out of the movie or show.
For me, this is strictly a netflix thing, as that's where I'm getting my audio description these days.
Back in the day, when audio description was dubbed over actual video's on tape, I don't remember this being an issue.
Its so bad I almost enjoy myself more without watching audio described shit.
For me, this is strictly a netflix thing, as that's where I'm getting my audio description these days.
Back in the day, when audio description was dubbed over actual video's on tape, I don't remember this being an issue.
Its so bad I almost enjoy myself more without watching audio described shit.
BenandGracie 2 points 3y ago
I agree. I have found if I watch something with headphones, I am able to hear the action along with the description.
laconicflow 1 points 3y ago
Same here.
CloudyBeep 1 points 3y ago
Think about it logically. If they didn't lower the show audio during loud scenes, it would drown out the description. If they raised the description audio during action scenes, the overall audio would be higher, so you would need to do "volume surfing" in order to hear it comfortably. I haven't struggled to hear the main audio on any Netflix originals; can you give me an example of what you mean?
laconicflow 2 points 3y ago
Netflix specificly, any fight scene. It becomes more like a person telling me a story, the aduio's so low.
I see the problem you bring up, and would agree.
But I swear I remember earlier audio description doing a better job with the mixing.
I see the problem you bring up, and would agree.
But I swear I remember earlier audio description doing a better job with the mixing.
CloudyBeep 1 points 3y ago
I asked for an example to see if it's a problem with just one AD provider. The Netflix AD rules state by how much AD companies are allowed to lower the main audio, so specific examples might elucidate whether some companies aren't following the rules and need to alter their procedures.
SightlessBastard 2 points 3y ago
„To add to my original post on this, the issue is even more significant. People have contacted my podcast to let me know that often, even when a TV show for example is in 5.1, the audio description of the show is only in stereo, or even at times in mono.“
I can confirm that. The only companies, which leave the sound quality in its original quality, are Netflix and Apple. From the top of my head, I can remember only one Blu-ray, that had its description truck available in 5.1.
“ Watchmen - the ultimate cut”
That is really a shame.
I can confirm that. The only companies, which leave the sound quality in its original quality, are Netflix and Apple. From the top of my head, I can remember only one Blu-ray, that had its description truck available in 5.1.
“ Watchmen - the ultimate cut”
That is really a shame.
rkingett 1 points 3y ago
I'm thinking a direct email campaign would be better?
UnhatchedYoshiEgg 3 points 3y ago
Wow, you want Atmos Audio Description while we barely have 5.1 productions going on :D
Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Universal Studios Blurays, Lionsgate Blurays, Disney+ and Disney Blurays all still use 2.0 for their audio description at very low quality.
This has been bothering me for a long time as well. I would love to have Atmos or even 5.1 at higher quality at this point.
Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Universal Studios Blurays, Lionsgate Blurays, Disney+ and Disney Blurays all still use 2.0 for their audio description at very low quality.
This has been bothering me for a long time as well. I would love to have Atmos or even 5.1 at higher quality at this point.
jmosen [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Yes it’s a much bigger problem than I first realised. In my view the rule should be that the highest quality format available to sighted people in that title is how the described version should be encoded.
UnhatchedYoshiEgg 2 points 3y ago
Oh, I forgot to mention this as well.
None of the bluray discs available currently have Atmos audio description. Some studios offer 448 or 640kbps 5.1 AC3 tracks. Others (mentioned above) go down as low as 192kbps AC3.
None of the bluray discs available currently have Atmos audio description. Some studios offer 448 or 640kbps 5.1 AC3 tracks. Others (mentioned above) go down as low as 192kbps AC3.
Remy_C 3 points 3y ago
A very interesting post. I haven't experienced this particular surround system but I would really love to. I have noticed there are many studios who really don't understand how to properly balance audio description volume with the movie. Audio description is wonderful, but when you duc the sound of the movie so much you can barely hear it so audio description can be heard, you're doing it wrong. I actually find lots of Netflixoriginals actually do a pretty good job. The audio description track also often says 5.1. I don't have a 5.1 system so I have often wondered if that is accurate.
jmosen [OP] 2 points 3y ago
yes, it appears Netflix material even when the main track has Atmos is encoding the description track in 5.1. Apple TV Plus is Atmos all the way, and on shows like See the difference is incredible.
Remy_C 2 points 3y ago
That's awesome. I actually have a pair of Sony 7.1 surround sound headphones, but even when I think I'm setting it up correctly I'm not really sure it's ever really worked.
Marconius 2 points 3y ago
This is an issue I have brought up directly with the accessibility leads for Amazon, DirectTV, and others, and absolutely needs more attention. I have a 5.1 system, and was extremely pissed off when the Blu-Ray copies of the MCU films crushed audio description into 2.0 stereo. Ultimately, what ends up happening is that AD is left to the last minute, and the movie house sends the vendors a crushed mix of the total film for them to record with. It's a stupid process that needs to be rectified, especially when companies like Netflix have gotten it right with their service. This happens on TV as well when switching to SAP for audio described shows or when recording them to DVR. The SAP channel is crushed and that is a broadcast engineering issue providers are aware of but have done nothing in terms of remediation.
As for the 5db drop in the main show audio for description, I really like that since then you don't have to wrestle with the volume throughout the show, trying to hear the description while not being deafened by action and sound effects. I'm in the US, and really want to help get this fixed.
As for the 5db drop in the main show audio for description, I really like that since then you don't have to wrestle with the volume throughout the show, trying to hear the description while not being deafened by action and sound effects. I'm in the US, and really want to help get this fixed.
jmosen [OP] 1 points 3y ago
You’ve obviously done some great advocacy on this so thank you. I’m also keen to keep the momentum going on this. If you’d like to chat with me for the Mosen At Large podcast, which reaches thousands of blind people every week, please do be in touch and we can record.
Marconius 1 points 3y ago
Sure thing, would be happy to talk about this and what I've experienced so far.
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