Mr Yong Han Beng, senior engineer from Mediacorp TV, recently responded to the complaints over the noise levels generated by TV Mobile on board SBS buses.....
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April 24, 2008
TV Mobile sound levels are monitored
I THANK readers who have written in about TV Mobile's sound levels on public buses.
Since 2001, TV Mobile has provided commuters with infotainment and entertainment programmes and real-time news, keeping them informed while on the move.
Over the years, we have received occasional feedback that audio levels were too loud or too soft. This is expected as the perceived audio level depends on several factors, such as ambient noise, individual audio sensitivity, passenger proximity to speakers and type of programme content. Our engineers regularly monitor and calibrate audio levels based on commuter feedback, survey data and actual sound- level measurements.
The suggestion to mute the audio would not be feasible, as not all TV Mobile viewers have easy access to FM receivers.
However, we have reviewed the recent feedback and adjusted the audio level.
If a bus commuter finds the TV Mobile sound level louder than he is comfortable with, it would help us to fine-tune the system if he notes down the bus registration number and e-mails us at tvmobiletech@mediacorp.com.sg.
We value feedback from viewers, and will continue to monitor and fine-tune the audio level for the comfort and enjoyment of bus commuters.
Yong Han Beng
Senior Engineer,
TV Mobile MediaCorp TV Singapore
After reading through Mr Yong's letter, I don't know whether I should just, you know, taped him up to the seat, have the bus go around in circles for eight hours, while playing (at maximum volume, of course) repeated episodes of 'My Sassy Neighbour' and 'Lifeline' over and over again till he start foaming at his mouth. Or I can choose to correct Mr Yong's thinking by simply writing a nice letter to him.....
To:
Yong Han Beng,
Senior Engineer,
TV Mobile,
Mediacorp TV Singapore
Response To 'TV Mobile Sound Levels Are Monitored' Letter On The Straits Times, Forum Section, April 24 2008
I read with disappointment your recent response to readers who have complained about the noise pollution TV Mobile is generating on several buses that they were taking.
I would also like to clarified once more that this problem has been the woe of SBS Transit's passengers for the past several years since TV Mobile was first introduced.
The situation seem to worsen recently with TV programs where the characters are involved in some form of screaming and shouting and it definitely did not help a lot when the volume is set to the maximum in many cases.
Passengers have always desired a moment of peace and quiet in the bus especially after hard day's work. They could have chosen to take the MRT or taxis but due to transport fares and traveling distances and routes, they have instead opted for a bus ride.
However, recent years had saw an increase in noise pollution on buses. The main causes are usually the rowdy passengers who talked too loud and inconsiderate ones who blast music with their cell phone's speaker function instead of listening with a proper earpiece.
TV Mobile may seem like an effective way to solve the issue of boredom on longer bus trips but it only proved to be yet another burden that passengers have to bear with.
With the improvement in technology, many passengers have found quieter ways of entertainment on bus trips like the Playstation Portable and MP3 players. As this progress continues, I believe the reliance on entertainment from TV Mobile will eventually decrease.
Therefore, based on what I have explained above, I think it's very reasonable for me (as a passenger), on behalf of fellow passengers, to request that TV Mobile be muted for the healthy well being of everyone around.
Before I closed, I would like to raise some points in your letter:
“Over the years, we have received occasional feedback that audio levels are..... too soft.”
While it is understandable that there will be some who actually found the volume settings too soft, I still find this part questionable.
Just how many passengers complained about the soft volume setting?
As far as I'm concerned, many people I came across have voiced displeasure over the loud volume setting (there's even a petition regarding this problem right now).
The other question would be about the percentage of passengers who complained about low audio settings in comparison with the other percentage who complained about high audio settings.
Is it good business decision if you decide not to mute TV Mobile based on a small handful (if any) of complaints?
I would like to make known to you that the passengers who complained about low volume may not take their complaints seriously as compared to the 'high volume' group. They may not even mind if TV Mobile is muted.
“This is expected as the perceived audio levels depend on several factors..... Our engineers regularly monitor and calibrate audio levels based on commuter feedback, survey data and actual sound level measurements.”
Instead of making a decision based on the scrutiny of various factors, please listen to the bottom line of every passengers' complaint towards TV Mobile:
We would like some peace and quiet and we just don't want to hear anything annoying (regardless of volume settings) and if it means TV Mobile be muted, we will be very happy with that.
Even under low audio settings, TV Mobile can still disturbed the peace especially in a bus with fewer passengers.
“The suggestion to mute the audio would not be feasible, as not all TV Mobile viewers have easy access to FM receivers.”
I have already explained in the previous parts of the letter why is it justifiable to mute TV Mobile.
The fact is that not a lot of passengers really care if they can receive the audio.
SBS Transit, with its sufficient resources to acquire better buses and the installation of TV Mobile, should be able to resolve the problem like providing ,by the seats, earpieces that's tuned up to TV Mobile's programs.
This, of course, is not the only solution.
“If a bus commuter finds the TV Mobile sound level louder than he is comfortable with, it would help us to fine tune the system if he notes down the bus registration number and emails us...”
Two things I would like to point out:
First, by your own admission, you actually knew the common problem had always been the loud sound level, not the soft volume setting.
Secondly, you seem to imply that the problem only occurs to a handful of buses.
Why should it be the passengers' responsibility to personally note down the bus registration number and email to your organization when a better way could have been that the bus drivers will give the feedbacks on whether their buses are too noisy due to TV Mobile's volume setting?
This problem, I wished to clarified once more, has become very common and there should be a better way to deal with it.
I hope that the departments responsible do not procrastinate any further and start acting for the future welfare of passengers.
Thank you.
Yep, long letter.
But will Mr Yong listen? I guess most of you pretty well know the answer.
Of course, if Mr Yong really start taking our words in the end, chances are he may even lose his job.
Go figure.
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