Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511300061
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
S.W., Roanoke
A: There is control over TV volume, and it's called a no-censorship rule.
The FCC regulates power of the sound output, but that's not the same as regulating loudness.
To quote from the FCC's rule regarding loud commercials and background music, "its loudness is dictated by artistic judgment of the program producer."
Advertisers can pump up the volume pretty much as they please, if in their artistic judgment that's what it takes to interest a youthful market in their product.
The viewer at home can take matters into his or her own hands - literally - by using the mute button on most remote controls.
The other option is a Magnavox TV with a feature called "smart sound." When a commercial that's louder than normal programming comes on, the volume is reduced automatically by as much as six decibels.
(Apparently, no other brands have this sound feature yet.)
The noise regulator can be turned off if you're watching something that's truly artistic, such as Haydn's "Surprise Symphony," which lulls after-dinner listeners into a doze with soft notes followed by a sudden crashing of cymbals and drums.
You might also want to leave the full sound effects turned on for a movie such as "Cape Fear," which jacks up the ringing of a telephone for frightening effect.
The point is: If loud commercials annoy us, we can fight back by using technology to our own advantage.
Vet school's fees
Q: Recently our veterinarian referred us to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine concerning our dog. The cost for the procedure we needed was $300 to $500. How do they set their fees, what is their accessibility to the public, and is a referral from a local vet necessary?
E.R., Marion
A: Residents within 35 miles of Blacksburg can bring their pets in for primary care - shots, neutering and the like.
Those farther away - and your home is about 75 miles out - must be referred by a veterinarian in their community.
The cost you mention probably is based on complexity of the procedure, not on distance.
Expense is almost inevitable if a local veterinarian refers a pet to a teaching hospital for a procedure that requires advanced care.
The vet school is not in competitive business.
It charges enough to recover its costs, and its primary-care fees may be a little higher than private veterinarians', a spokesman said.
That's a matter of fairness as well as everyday economics. Taxpayer-supported institutions just do not undercut private business.|
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB