TV background music - can it be switched off?

[MantaRay]

I am told that the latest generation of tv's have a red button or something to enable the background music to be turned off during tv programmes. Is this correct?

[rojash]

No - somebody's winding you up

[bibblebub]

With some programmes, usually sport, on digital tv the red button might give you the option to have a different audio (e.g. listen to the ref rather than the commentators) but I haven't yet come across any option to switch off background music for any other type of programme.

[Old_Geezer]

To do so the TV would have to have sophisticated enough electronics to be able to split foreground sounds from background sounds. And I have not heard of any able to do that yet. The only other way I can think of it being done would be if the TV channel sent foreground and background audio as separate signals. One can see that were they to do that then a TV could, theoretically switch to a 'foreground audio only' data stream; but again I've not heard of this being the case.

[Hopkirk]

The Sky box has an option to turn off the background music when you are using Sky menus.

[sidkid]

Perhaps MantaRay is talking about the music that plays when you turn to the Sky program guide? Does get a bit repetitive. I tend to just hit the mute button whilst I'm looking at it....

[Hopkirk]

Services
System Set up
Sound Settings
Background Music (to off)
Save New Settings

[andy-hughes]

That would be fabulous!

I tried hard to enjoy the documentary about chess genius Bobby Fischer, but it was drowned out by background music - and nothing relavent at all - part of it was edited instrumental bits of T.Rex (!) and at one point - 'Rock And Roll Part 2' cropped up - the first time I have heard a Gary Glitter single on any medai since his court case.

It's really irritating, and serves no purpose, the story was quite sufficiently interesting on its own.

[smurfchops]

I wish. And the cackling laughter too please.

[rojash]

Also the dog farting noises.
Oh, wait a minute, that really is the dog farting.

[daisya]

This is one of my gripes, it's got worse and worse lately, everything comes with loud background music and more irritating it is when someone is talking when you need to listen to get the gist of the programme. Why oh why do these producers thinks we NEED this rubbish to drown out the commentary etc...modern things no doubt but I just wish they would consider the viewer more, and not shove their own preferences onto the people who wish to view.

[AlBags]

Remove Adverts on Sky .. I will be a rich man if I can think of a way to do this with a gadget (and not upset Sky in the process!)

[MantaRay]

daisya...you are correct. My guess is that the sound producers want to inflict their choice of music on us. My argument is that if I wanted musical accompaniment to a programme then I'd turn down the tv sound and select my own choice of music to play.

Old_Geezer...good point, I had wondered if sound was being transmitted as foreground & background, hence my question. Having read yours and other comments I guess the sound is just transmitted on 2 channels [stereo].

[MantaRay]

andy-hughes...I know how you feel, I tried to watch the How to build a jumbo jet engine on BBC2 last night and gave up. So many daft sound effects, random bars of music, background music, etc, it had everything except the sound of a jet engine!

[Hopkirk]

Apparently aswe get older, it becomes harder to pick out words with background music.

Someone should tell the Americans - they are the worst for it.

[whiskeryron]

Stop me if this sounds daft but is it possible to turn on mute & then select subtitles & actually read what is being said ( providing the text is actually correct) ?.

W Ron.

[andy-hughes]

On a similar note - why are we forced to hear dubbed cheering right through every performance on Strictly and The X-Factor? the constant whooping everytime someone changes a note, or moves their feet is getting serious wearing. The fact that it is always the same sound level and for the same length of time proves it is not spontaneous or genuine, it is added on at the editing stage - for what purpose? If it is supposed to inject some 'atmosphere', it is clearly failing.