loudness audio
(QC) check on the soundtracks of regulations but continues to use PPMs, meter for studio applications, while the
advertisements to ensure they are instructing its suppliers to deliver EBU has formed a working group to
within the parameters set by BCAP. material peaked at PPM 4. It has also build on the work of the ITU and
IMD is providing this service to ITV, been working through the ‘thousands’ develop additional standards. The
Channel 4, and MTV but Bolton says the of commercials already held on its P/LOUD Group had its inaugural
ideal situation is for post-production servers to bring them in line with the meeting during IBC 2008 and met
houses to use the ITU specification so new levels. Senior manager of audio, again at the beginning of December. It
the delivery algorithm acts only as a Vaughan Rogers, says the company will resolved to evaluate the meters on the
check. "The effect of this if it becomes upgrade its existing meters with the market during the first two quarters of
common practice would mean that a new algorithm sometime in the future.
John Bolton,
this year and produce a specification
post house would use the ITU spec to The BBC does not broadcast technical director of and recommendations by IBC 2009. A
create media to peak at PPM 6, commercials but it does carry
IMD (Independent
Media Distribution).
spokesman said these would give a
reducing the reliance on hard promotional material for its own ‘little more guidance’.
compression and creating a more programmes and now has more audio The ITU specifications are a solid
dynamic product," he explained. channels to deal with for its HD foundation but there is still a great deal
BCAP's recommendations apply only channel. Andy Quested, principal of uncertainty surrounding loudness.
to commercials in relation to the technologist for HD within BBC Future ITU 1770/1 recommends 1kHz as the
programmes but as idents and trailers Media and Technology, says material is reference point for measuring material
are produced in a similar way to ads, being peaked no higher than PPM 5 on but this is seen by many as unsuitable
and perform the same kind of job, the any individual audio channel for the as it is on the curve of a sine wave. DK
problem of one broadcast segment high def service, adding that the level in particular has misgivings about 1kHz
being louder than another has not may come down to 4.5. "We're waiting and so has taken advantage of the
gone away. Since the loudness to see what the commercial latitude in the ITU recommendations
regulations came into force BCAP had broadcasters do and what 1770 brings and chosen 400Hz instead, as it is on
received eight ‘generic’, non-specific but in general HD is bringing changes, the flat. Chromatec is likely to follow
complaints about volume and 10 particularly with four more audio suit with its new meters, due for
related to promos and trailers before channels," he said. "Working with the launch this year. John Bolton at IMD
the end of 2008. These were passed to other broadcasters is important so we observed: "It looks like the DK audio
regulator Ofcom for adjudication and don't have multiple standards." meter may become dominant in the TV
five were upheld. There is still a danger of that industry, so their recommendation
As the BCAP guidelines give happening as different organisations could be adopted."
operators the option to continue using continue to pursue their own research. This shows that loudness is being
PPMs there is no great incentive for The IRT has addressed discrepancies discussed seriously but also there is still
British facilities and broadcasters to re- between the levels of TV and radio a lot of latitude in what can be done.
equip with loudness meters. BSkyB is programmes on digital delivery But, after all, one person's loud is
complying with the loudness platforms by developing a 5.1 volume another's whisper.
www.ibeweb.com l January/February 2009 l ibe l 15
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