The summary of ‘Why does the volume change when watching movies? | Why is action loud and dialog soft when watching’

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The video segments explore the challenges of audio mixing for theaters versus home viewing environments. The speaker emphasizes the importance of dynamic range, optimal dialogue levels, and maintaining immersive sound experiences. Differences in sound preferences between theaters and homes are discussed, with suggestions such as near-field mixing for home setups. The cost and logistical challenges of providing separate sound mixes for home viewing are highlighted, along with solutions like night mode and soundbar adjustments. The overall theme focuses on enhancing sound quality and addressing inaudible dialogue issues for a better viewing experience at home.

00:00:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the common issue of inaudible dialogue in movies and shows due to the high dynamic range mixing used purposely for theater viewing. The sound is optimized for theaters with quiet environments, allowing viewers to hear subtle sounds clearly. At home, distractions like AC units and hard surfaces impact the listening experience. Audio engineers use a wide range of frequencies to enhance the immersive experience in theaters. The sound is typically mixed at 85 decibels for optimal viewing, with specific frequencies sounding differently at various levels.

00:03:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the importance of maintaining a proper dynamic range in audio mixes. They explain how movie theaters have a set range of 85 dB with 20 dB of headroom, recommending a 105 dB peak volume for full immersion. However, in a home setting, dialogue is often preferred at a lower volume (around 73-75 dB), creating a different threshold for loud sounds. By adjusting levels and balancing dynamics, the overall perceived loudness and impact of the sound can be enhanced, making the audio feel more dynamic and immersive even on smaller speakers. The concept of near-field mixing is highlighted as a technique to optimize sound for home environments, ensuring an enjoyable listening experience without compromising the dynamics of the original theatrical mix.

00:06:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses why different sound mixes are not usually provided for home viewing. Reasons include cost, storage space, filmmaker intent, and audience preference for the theatrical version. They mention that studios are starting to mix audio tracks for a narrower range due to streaming at home. Suggestions on addressing audio issues at home include enabling night mode, using a sound bar, or adjusting the center speaker. Viewers are asked to share their experiences and solutions in the comments.

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