DTS is introducing a new on-device solution that is designed to improve viewers ability to hear the dialogue.
Despite improvements in audio and picture quality there remains an issue with some viewers ability to pick out what is being said on screen. Dubbed ‘Mumblegate’ it has impacted shows including Happy Valley [pictured], Jamaica Inn and Boiling Point.
“Sound quality is an essential part of the TV and video viewing experience,” says Greg Ireland, senior research director at IDC. “IDC’s consumer survey results continue to show that sound quality is highly important to a strong majority of viewers. Moreover, sound quality applies to older and young consumers, signaling that solutions that enable improved audio experiences address a highly important facet of the viewing experience for consumers across all generations.”
DTS says there are many reasons why consumers have difficulty understanding onscreen dialogue: device limitations, inconsistent audio across content sources, environmental noise or individual hearing abilities. It says DTS Clear Dialogue provides consumers with the ability to personalize and optimise their audio experience, significantly improving their understanding of dialogue.
“When viewers can’t hear the dialogue, it degrades the quality of their TV experience and turning on subtitles is a workaround, not a solution,” says Geir Skaaden, chief products & services officer at Xperi. “To date, attempts to mitigate audio post-processing limitations don’t address the complex underlying problems across languages, content and environment, and can’t account for each viewer’s individuality. Our device-side AI-based audio processing solution will allow TV OEMs to provide their viewers with the ability to customize and personalize their audio experience.”
DTS Clear Dialogue for TV OEMs can identify and separate virtually any element within an audio program to optimize its performance – distinguishing between elements such as dialogue, music and special effects. Viewers can create personalised profiles with dialogue and non-dialogue settings, to address hearing impairment, listening environments and audio preferences for varying conditions.
