CBS HD Football Audio Problem?

[aaron31182]

I'm using a Pioneer 3500HD box through Time Warner connected via DVI cable for video and stereo RCA inputs for audio to a Toshiba 5HDX83 television. I'm having a problem while watching HD football games on CBS. The surround(background?) sound levels are way to high and I can't hear the announcers unless I turn the sound up very high. Is this a common problem for people not running their HD audio through surround sound receivers? Is there some setting I can change to fix this? Thanks a lot for any advice. - Aaron

[JimHall]

Aaron;

You are not alone with this audio problem.  Ever since our CBS network went to producing games in 5.1 the announcer level for the center channel has been out of balance with the surround.  Its my opinion that the network is having problems with the audio mix in these live games.  I would image that they are either not listening to the surround speakers in the truck or they are so close to the center speaker that the mix sounds okay to them, not to mention having to listen to the director for cues.

The only way I could have some control of the mix at my home was to drop the level of the rear speakers and increase the balance or volume of the center speaker.

We will continue to discuss this issue with the network in hopes of improving the sound for future games.

Best Regards

Jim Hall
General Manager
WDJT CBS
WMLW TV41
WYTU   TV63

[aaron31182]

Thanks for the quick responce Jim. I hope that the issue can be solved. Not all of us with HD have surround sound! There simply isn't a way to adjust the announcer's voice level compared to the roaring crowd. Thanks again - Aaron

[The Law]

I am very impressed that a CBS local representative would address this issue in a timely fashion and would publicly post concerns, analysis and a resolution path on a public forum.

This is all one could ask for...and more.

Thanks for the commitment to excellence!

[digdugm]

Hi Jim,
Glad to see you post your thoughts and concerns so openly. I wish some of the other stations around here would have the same level of feed back with this new technology. If I could, when are we likely to be receiving that 5.1 sound from your station? Thanks for any info you can supply.
Doug

PS. I really enjoy it, in most case I would rather hear more crowd noise than announcers. But I also see how it would be furstrating if your not using a surround sound receiver.

[Paul S.]

Originally posted by digdugm

PS. I really enjoy it, in most case I would rather hear more crowd noise than announcers. But I also see how it would be furstrating if your not using a surround sound receiver.

Just as long as I can hear Madden!:rock: >runs away and hides<