You’re right – movies are an excellent example of why dynamic range is important. I’ve got several ideas for videos to spread this idea – I’ll try to get them sorted soon.

This post demonstrates the value of dynamic range in 2011:

http://productionadvice.co.uk/loudness-war-secret/

Thanks for your comment !

Ian

this is based on the experience of my wife while watching a movie.

we were watching harry brown and as its a movie I play it through my Hi-Fi. in once scene some one was unconscious and they guy next to him whispered “wake up” after a few times he loses his patience and shouts “WAKE UP!” the huge difference in volume caused my wife to jump and spill her coffee!. it was a living demonstration of dynamic range. so I got thinking instead of the rather naff video about the loudness war we have now, how about using an example set in a real life context.

here’s the idea
make a file that starts with with the caption, “dynamic range, please turn your volume up now” it cuts to two guys having a chat in a dinner, The conversation is fairly interesting so you kinda get engrossed, without warning theirs an explosion (or something else as loud), witch surprises the two guys so they duck

cuts to another caption “compressed volume boosted audio, how your music sounds now” the film goes back to the beginning, the guys are having the same conversation (only there voices are much louder)
and on cue there’s the sound of an explosion (proportionally its the same volume as there dialogue)the guys barley notice it, commenting” did you hear that?”
cue cut to a caption with a message about bringing dynamic range back in to music.

At this point I’m thinking – yes. But I think it needs to be different. I’d like it to be more positive and less annoying

Will have to throw some ideas around with everybody and see what we come up with !

Ian