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why does NBC sound so bad? are networks different

or is it the transmission towers?

I have Directv and my receiver supports off air antenna. When I listen to CBS it sounds terrific, FOX and ABC sound great as well but NBC sounds muffled, like cotton in my ears. This happens on all programs.

I have often wondered why NBC sounds so much worse.

Does anyone know is it the signal the networks send? (doubtful)

Is it the local towers? (my best guess)

Has anyone else noticed this?

any info appreciated...

fwiw the off air channels sound way better than the ones I get over the satellite.
philjolet
philjolet's avatar
philjolet OP
2,306 posts
 
Dan ed,

actually I can not get local channels in my set up, there is a big tree right where the dish needs to aim to get them. But why would I want to pay when I get the off air service for free? and like I mentioned the off air is better sounding and in hi def to boot.

fwiw the main problem I have is that NBC sounds so bad compared to CBS especially when switching from Letterman to Leno it is really noticable but this happens with other programs as well.

It just got me wondering if everyone else has this problem or maybe it is a local problem...
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Seems to be program related, too.
Was watching an hour show one nite. Every time they went to this one scene, the sound had a buzz to it. rest of show? fine. It was obviously some kind of production mistake.

Many music specials.....Diana Krall comes to mind, have intentionally sub-par sound to discourage people ike ME from recording it.

In the 'old days', they'd do 'simulcast' where the TV sound was sync'd to FM and you could get the FM sound and TV picture. And hope for no time delay.

Off-air is probably best, all the cable/small dish guys step on the signal pretty badly with the exception of live sports and news. go figger.
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
I don't pay extra for locals on d*. I spent a good deal of time with antennas long before there were more than two or three HD channels and really never could say that the off air reception was any better. YMMV depending where you live. There is a fair amount of multipath around my neighborhood due to hills.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Whow i didnt know that.
lacee
811 posts
 
Where I live,(closer to Buffalo NY, than Toronto)I have found that whether I run satellite or free air, that some programs just seem less clear than others.

Most dramas seem to have the poorest dialog resoulution.

The type of programming that I don't enjoy to watch(the cheap to produce reality or game show drivel)are clearer.

Now is this deliberate?

By the way,the Wives will be going off the air, so my wife tells me.

I wonder what will replace it, the Desparate Bachelorettes of Hootersville?
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