Music in TV shows & movies

[ElCid]

I believe it is a characteristic of most Hallmark movies, but we have been watching McBride lately and the music is very annoying. It is on almost constantly it seems, but the worst part is it drowns out the actors when they speak.
In the real movies, at least the older ones, the music stopped when actors spoke.
I know a lot of action movies today have very loud musical soundtracks, but since I seldom watch any I'm not sure if they play while actors are speaking.

[jimimac71]

I've been complaining, without success, ever since TV went digital.
Worked in Cable TV and radio and know what a limiter/compressor is.
With radio, DJ's didn't pay attention to audio levels so a piece of equipment did it for them. Made what was loud softer and what was soft louder.
Back in my days of 12 channel cable television, each channel had its own processing, including an AGC. Automatic Gain Control for the audio impaired.
Now audio is often set up for the loudest peak and that is all. Televisions and other sound equipment, like sound bars, and even streaming players, are trying to fix what nobody else will.
My complaint in the SPORTS thread applies here. My eyesight has always been bad. I am quite auditory.
I suspect, but don't know for sure, if Dolby processing (Surround Sound) isn't part of the problem.
Many of us have 2 speaker stereo sound with our televisions. The individual sounds in Dolby get mixed down to 2 channels.
That may not work all the time.
Occasionally, a stereo song will sound awful if played in Mono.
I've not experienced Dolby Surround Sound but know there is a dedicated Center speaker just for voicing.

[ElCid]

Thanks for info. I have two Sony "smart" TV's about 3-4 years old. Both are connected to sound bars. I set the TV's for dialogue enhancement and then did the same for the soundbars. Of course, the TV speakers are turned off when the soundbar automatically kicks in. Still often have problems understanding dialogue due to noise in "action" shows or music.
Wife has same problem. I do wear hearing aids for mild hearing loss, but it does not help. In fact, often pull them out because they increase the noise/music levels and not dialogue.

[jimimac71]

Most TV speakers are miserable. We have a Vizio TV and soundbar.
TV speakers are OFF! The soundbar only has bass and treble adjustments.
Both are lowered by more than 50%. That hopes to naturally increase dialogue.
Mom wears hearing aids with profound hearing loss. My hearing is fair but high frequencies are missing.
I never abused my hearing when young. A friend says welcome to growing older.

[ElCid]

Most TV speakers are miserable. We have a Vizio TV and soundbar.
TV speakers are OFF! The soundbar only has bass and treble adjustments.
Both are lowered by more than 50%. That hopes to naturally increase dialogue.
Mom wears hearing aids with profound hearing loss. My hearing is fair but high frequencies are missing.
I never abused my hearing when young. A friend says welcome to growing older.

Hearing loss is part of growing older for most people, but a lot of things we did throughout our lifetimes unknowingly were degrading our hearing. Firing weapons, riding in/on vehicles with inferior or non-existent mufflers, working in many industries, attending rock concerts, ad infinitum. Most people who served in the US Army have a hearing loss. Probably the same for any branch depending upon duties.
I have a Vizio which I purchased because it was only thing that fit an entertainment center we had. Still have the Vizio and for the price it has remarkable sound and picture. It is in a bedroom now and I never watch it.
There are soundbars which are supposedly better for dialogue enhancement, but don't count on a lot of improvement. We have a Sony and a Denon.