Joe Maring/Android Authority
TL;DR
- YouTube TV subscribers are experiencing audio issues with NBC network stations.
- Users claim that the volume is almost half that of other channels.
- It is suspected that NBC is not sending 5.1 surround sound audio to YouTube TV.
YouTube TV subscribers are experiencing a strange audio issue. The current problem is to dramatically reduce the volume and audio quality of local TV broadcasts and national programming. Specifically, the problem is affecting NBC-affiliated stations.
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This volume problem isn’t just affecting one region of the US. Reports are ongoing reddit (via cord cutter news) are widely spread throughout the country. According to affected customers, the audio output of NBC affiliates is about half the level of other channels. As a result, viewers are forced to turn up the volume on their TVs. Some users also say that the audio sounds muffled.
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A commenter on a Reddit thread claims that NBC has stopped sending 5.1 surround sound audio to YouTube TV. However, YouTube TV still “wraps (stereo PCM) audio in a 5.1 AC3 wrapper with surround sound metadata.” They suggest that the absence of a multi-channel audio format is leading to downmixing in stereo, which may contribute to low volume and audio quality issues.
This kind of problem is not a good thing, especially at a time when users are more likely to encounter local news as NBC broadcasts the NBA playoffs. Android Authority Google has been contacted for comment. We will update this article as new information becomes available.
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