We lied. Congress did nothing about all-cap shouting on the internet, but don’t be surprised if that comes next.
Instead, the geniuses in Washington, DC took a long, hard look at the critical issues facing the nation and decided that what we really need right now is a new law regulating the audio volume of TV commercials.
BREITBART.COM HAS THE DETAILS!!!!!
The House on Thursday gave final congressional approval to a bill that would prevent advertisers from abruptly raising the volume to catch the attention of viewers wandering off when regular programming is interrupted.
The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., said it was her own “earsplitting experiences” that got her involved, recalling how the ads “blew us out of the house” when she watched television, already set at a high volume, with her parents.
But she said her office also has gotten many messages of support and that at home people come up to her in restaurants and supermarkets to ask how the bill is doing.
“TV programs use a variety of sound levels to build dramatic effect. But advertisements have been neither subtle nor nuanced,” Eshoo said after the House passed the bill on a voice vote. When the law goes into effect, she said, “consumers will no longer have to experience being blasted at.”
Yeah, loud TV commercials are annoying. But, c’mon, how about passing a damn budget, guys. Didn’t the people speak loudly enough in November?
Source: Breitbart.com
This post was last modified on December 4, 2010
View Comments (9)
I was lead tech support for a company that makes audio processing and stereo generation equipment for radio and TV stations. (Hint" "Audio Processing" is when you are riding in a car, and you hear your favorite song on the "one way". You want to hear it again, so you take out the CD, or MP3er, and it sounds very different. This is audio processing making a "signature sound" for the station) The circuits have been around at least thirty years that I know of. Trying to pass laws to do this, (especially when we have so many important things that require attention is just stupid.
Well I see that time wasting and stupidity is still alive and well in Washington.
You know, I agree they should work on a budget, but I can't say I'm complaining about this passing.
This is something that does NOT need to be legislated. It IS an opportunity, however, for some smart electronics geek to invent some way to allow TV viewers to automatically lower the volume for ads. I'm not so sure that it doesn't already exist! And this BS about an "earsplitting experience" is just over the top.
Phillips introduced SmartSound over 10 years ago. When activated it keeps the volume at the level you choose, commercials get turned down, whispers turned up.
With so many people using DVRs of one sort or another, many people use the fast forward button to take car of commercials.
THAT IS SOOOOOOOOO GAY!
BAWNEY FWANK DOESN'T LIKE GETTING YELLED AT ON TEH INTERWEBS!
bawney fwank is a crack shot too, I hear...
YOU MEAN I CAN'T TYPE LIKE THIS ANYMORE WHEN I'M PISSED OFF AT SOMEBODY? DAMN!
I certainly won't miss getting blasted awake at 3 am by someone hawking penis enlarger pills or chia pets.