TSL SHOWCASE
A Look at Loudness
Loudness requirements for traditional broadcast through to OTT and podcasts.
A Leap Forward for Loudness
New streaming services and demanding delivery standards mean that the time is right for a new approach to loudness monitoring.
As the BBC notes on its website, viewers complain about numerous aspects of television programmes – from lighting to factual accuracy – but “one technical area is complained about more than any other: the sound”. Along with audibility and the (over) prominence of background music, sound level problems account for a significant share of viewer complaints. This has been a historically pervasive problem – not only in between programmes, with advertising content often appearing to be intentionally louder, but within programmes as well. It was precisely these concerns that the European Broadcasting Union sought to address with its R 128 loudness recommendation. Introduced in 2012, R 128 applies sound levelling to all stages of the audio broadcast signal – including production, distribution and transmission. With a core recommendation to use an average programme loudness of -23 LUFS, R 128 has been adopted widely by EU countries. But while this aspect of loudness is finally getting under control, a new challenge has been emerging in the form of streaming services.
Measuring and Maintaining Loudness Compliance
The transition to IP technology may be the most talked about topic on the tech side of the television industry. But that does not mean it makes sense for all organizations. This three part series breaks down some of the key questions and issues faced as you consider the transition to IP.
A Deep Dive Look at Loudness
Traditionally, audio monitoring units have been controlled by operators, often to recall presets. This manual approach is now being challenged with the emergence of IP, presenting a technological ‘curve-ball’.
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Watch Now: SAMQ Loudness Demo
Loudness is the single biggest topic of viewer complaints, affecting everything from traditional broadcast through to OTT and podcasts.
With the SAM-Q Engineers and supervisors can restrict sources, modes and front panel functions to streamline operation and reduce user error and features can change with your requirements, including optional MADI support or Loudness Monitoring.
- Monitor loudness from a mono source right up to a 9.1+4 program configuration
- Up to 8 independent loudness probes.
- Log and monitor Loudness data over an Ethernet network.
Monitoring Loudness in 2110 Networks
With the adoption of IP infrastructures and standards such as ST-2022-6 an ST-2110, the PAM-IP provides loudness measurement, including a dedicated loudness histogram display. Integrated loudness measurements can be Reset in accordance with each programme, commercial or show.
