Strange Noise
So, I was watching the Giants game last night (go Big Blue by the way) and I noticed a strange noise throughout the game. It almost sounded like a faint cell phone ringtone from the late 90's coming from my TV. It would happend every couple of seconds I noticed. I then remembered that during the Emmy's, I heard the exact same thing. A weird chime/ringtone that went off every couple of seconds. I thought it was my TV, but I changed the channel on both programs and there was no weird sound. It seems to occur only during live events. Anyone else hear this sound? Better yet, can anyone explain what it is?
Not gonna lie, it's kind of annoying.
Fixer
Aliens will often interfer with live events to tap into the brains of the humans that are watching said events.
Firefly 
That was Archie and Olivia crying their eyes out. All three sons finished now. ;-)
Calico696 It may be possible your experiencing RF interference from a local transmission station. Are there any CB/HAM radio antenna on any nearby houses? Are you near any cell phone/repeater towers?
And to answer your question, no. I haven't heard anything but I am watching on an old crappy TV most of the time.
It happened during the Emmy's on my tv. I don't watch much football so I didn't hear that and it did sound like a cell phone... Might be comcast...
Mom of Two I didn't watch the football game, but I did watch the Emmy's and the sound drove me nuts. I'm happy to see someone else heard it and it wasn't just me :)
red76nj 
ajkm What TV service do you have? Cable, satelite, open air antennae? That may help to narrow things down a bit. I watched it via ESPN on cable and didn't hear anything.
emaxxman It was widely reported after the Emmys, it was heard all over the country. So it is not a local CB operator or anything in your house.
Reggie Voter 
Caged Animal The noise was mentioned on this website.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2011/09/sheen-baldwin-and-cell-phone-interference-behind-the-scenes-at-the-emmys/
cbel 
just curious I also heard the noise during the Emmys but figured it was just the TV. The cable guy from Cablevision replaced our cable box on Saturday and now the volume is all messed up. We have to turn it up REAL high, which causes a white noise sound behind the sound from the TV shows. So I attributed it to that. But I guess not.
It was directly from the broadcast itself. They said it wasn't audible inside the auditorium, so nothing was done. I thought I was going nuts a few times turning the tv down that night.
INeedMoreCowBell 
Christine I live in New York City and was drawn to this blog after doing a Google search for the source of this strange noise! I heard it during the Emmys, during last night's Giants game and now on My9 during the Yankees game.
Very frustrating. Maybe someone can get it trending on Twitter.
I am going to call Comcast tomorrow and ask them about it. My DD is hearing it on Glee also.
Okay, I thought maybe this thread belonged in the "Mental Health" thread, but I swear to God, on the Yankee game on Channel 9 right now, I hear the same noise in the background, every few seconds.
I switched over to the Mets game on SNY, trying to see if it is only present for live events, I dont hear it on that channel.
Wondering if it has something to do with hi def reception. I dont have a high def television, maybe something has changed with the way the signal is sent to non hi def TV's on some channels?
NO- I have not been drinking or nor am I on any prescription medication!
I wouldnt have believed it if I hadnt heard it myself!
The Rhyme Animal I heard on the Emmys. And now it's in the yanks game. Something about live broadcasts.
I thought I was going nuts I hear it constantly. Not only live tv all tv I really am beginning to think its an alien homing signal. Chicago.
Artimus I do not hear it tonight on the YES network during the Yankees game. Maybe it is only on certain channels.
Not heard on the Mets broadcast because they havn't shown signs of life for several seasons. Noise is only on live shows
eapos I heard it again during Fringe on Friday. It seems to be during certain Fox shows. Can anyone get to the bottom of this? It seems odd that no one has come forward to explain and also that their are only a few Google mentions of this!
Fred Duke 
Nick I'm watching the Bears game and I hear it as well... I'm guessing it has to do w/ the way the signal is being broadcast.... it's really annoying I can't seem to ignore it
ChiBearsGuy I first heard it on the Texas vs BYU football game last weekend and now heard it today on the Vikings vs Lions game. ESPN and FOX... but didn't hear it on CBS. I heard it DirecTV and Cox Communications here in Oklahoma... Really, REALLY annoying
OK, first the Emmys on Fox, now we heard it on ABC during Pan am. Maybe we're being brainwashed?
Penny Note that my9 is a fox channel. So it seems to be isolated to Fox- and ABC-owned networks.
tony24 I also heard it during the Emmy broadcast - I thought it was one of my kids' toys, so I kept muting the TV, expecting to still hear the sound, but when I didn't, I figured it had to be the station or TV itself. Since the Emmys, I've heard it numerous times during different shows. I was just watching the MLB playoffs on TBS, and the noise was also present.
Big Matt 
ben I hear that noise only on Fox broadcasts - football and Tera Nova the other day. I watch an over the air HD broadcast. From reading other posts, sounds like this is a Fox issue, not the method of delivery.
I have been hearing this noise for the past few days, i'm glad others are hearing it as well. it is driving me nuts. i specifically heard it during the FOX nfl broadcasts and i am now hearing it on espn monday night football. it is awful
I too first heard it on the emmys and then on both episodes of Terra Nova. If it continues, I don't think I can continue to watch it...SO freakin annoying! I am in California and use Dish Network.
Sean I've hard the same noise on a various sports broadcasts on Comcast in DC and FiOS in VA. It's damn annoying.
BenH We're hearing it during the NYY games on TNT. We have RCN cable - hi-def. Glad we're not nuts afterall!
jujubeet I heard it during Emmys and I'm hearing it during the Yankees game on TBS. I have Service Electric Cable. Also heard it Sunday during the Redskins game on Fox I was watching on cable in Maryland.
Zack WoW!!! I thought I was hearing things that my brain was playing a warped game on me...lol
Glad I came across thread really....
CARNi It appears to be digital audio compression artifacts.
Highly compressing a more random sound, like audience applause or crowd noise, is more difficult than other sounds, so the metallic tones seems to be the result of it.
It's the networks who are over compressing their signals and causing it.
Samoverton metallic cliicks and clacks from overcompression are one thing, and the networks/cable opreators have gone way too far with the squishing the signals and expanding them later on your tv , they degrade noticably ioth the video and the audio. needs to stop. (esp at these rates we're all paying)
but this sounds like someone is dialing a phone number, teltel telephone tones coming over the airwaves in the background of the audio .
why?
BrotherDog Compression Artifacts
When aggressive data comprssion is applied to image, audio or video, some data may be discarded if its deemed too complex to store at the current data-rate, or if the algorithm decides that the information is of little importance. Compression artifacts occur because of the latent errors in the process or basically the extreme result of overzealous lossy data compression.
Digital Sound Compression
Compression artifacts in compressed audio typically show up as ringing, pre-echo, drop-outs, warbling, metallic ringing, an underwater feeling, hissing, or "graininess". A good way to observe compression artifacts in audio is to listen to the applause in a relatively highly compressed (eg 96 kbit/sec) MP3. In general, music has repeating structures and more predicable variations in volume, whereas applause is essentially random, therefore hard to compress. This highly compressed track of applause will illustrate the "metallic ringing" and other compression artifacts very well.
It doesn't bother me as much now, since I started covering my head in aluminum foil and tilting my head 40 degrees to the left. It's worse if I drop the coat hanger lower than my shoulder, though.
I first noticed it during the MLB All Star Game in July. We have RCN. It has become worse and I have noticed it not only on my HD box but also my standard box. One fix is I turn my surrond sound system on and it goes away. Very annoying. Like one poster said with what we pay for cable they need to fix this quick!
KevinPSB My TV is having the same issues as well. I noticed it after switching to DirecTV about a month ago. The "digital noise" only seems to occur while watching Fox, ESPN, and TBS. It's incredibly annoying. After doing some research online, I pretty sure it is a Broadcast issue. I read Comcast forums which discussed the same issues as well. I left a message with the local Fox affiliate to see if they have any answers. I will post here if I get a response.
ADubb31 I am having the same thing happen to me... I searched some keywords to see if it was just me and i found this page. Its like a slight ringtone "ding ding ding dong" but i have been noticing it the most while im watching movies on AMC. So its not just live events.. but i also noticed it during a monday night football game. Its very strange, and i often wonder if it is a broadcast error, but you think these tech savvy channels would be able to fix things like that. WHAT IS THIS NOISE COMING FROM MY TV?!
Tyler C OMG I thought I was insane, thank god I found you people. I live in Minnesota and have comcast and have been hearing it during football games, and right now during the Packers game on NBC. I can't stand it.
Mortan Enuff I am hearing it right now on FOX broadcast of MLB playoffs DET vs. TEX game 2. It's so annoying. It's not rf interference as it is a perfect cycle every couple of seconds. I'm a sound engineer and not sure what to make of it...
I thought I was going crazy too! I'm glad I'm not the only one. I've been hearing it on my TV in NYC, especially during the Emmys and sports, but also at other times. It seems especially bad on FOX for some reason. I thought maybe it was just my TV, but I was just visiting Atlanta, and heard it on another TV there. I'm watching Monday Night Football right now, and can hear it there also!
MarkM I really wish more people were talking about this. I keep hearing it all over the place. Conan, SNL, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, even Supernatural. I hear it every time the audience applauses/laughs. It's driving me crazy.
jess All this over simple signal noise? Did anyone even notice where exactly they're posting? It's not exactly a world wide forum here unless you count our little Around The World Game. ;-)
GC I hear it during the playoff games on fox and it's driving me insane. Anyone know what's going on?
Mikeekim It's not compression artifacts. I'm an RF and digital systems engineer and know what compression artifacts sound like, and these are not equivalent.
It's a cyclic, tone-repeating sequence. Sounds like an old 1970's/80's hand held LED game going off every few seconds. A compression artifact has a similar timbre, but is not cyclic/rythmic.
This is a signal that Fox is modulating in the carrier, intentionally. Trust me when I say that nothing in the public TV / broadcast arena gets through unless its put there intentionally.
You can hear it on playback DVR recordings of Terra Nova (Fox)
Redgum I'm not going crazy. I heard this first during a playoff game, and not its on DWTS. It dies down during quiet moments but as soon as the crowd cheers and whoops it up...the damn sound is back.
The only way I can describe it is as a series of tones in quick succession, which repeat every 4-5 seconds. Like Redgum said, its sounds like an 80's handheld LED game.
HardyGardy It's going on right now during the world series game #2. I think it has to do with security or damaging the recording on the DVR. It ensures that the copy is not clear so when studios sell thier product it will not have it. If a person were to sell thier copy people would know it came from a home broadcast and not from the official rights owner.
I've noticed it for a few weeks. It's maddening. I've only noticed it on Fox Sports programs. I have DirecTV. Only watching in HD. Sharp Aquos. I have NOT noticed it on TBS, ESPN, ABC, CBS or anywhere else. Only Fox Sports. Noticed it in Yankees/Rangers playoff games, then Cardinals/Rangers World Series games, and now, today, Falcons/Lions NFL game.
TedS Definitely not just a local thing. I started hearing it in Philly and thought I was going nuts since no one I was with ever heard it. It appears to only be on FOX as I have not noticed it on any other stations and I never notice it on Redzone. Also, TedS, I agree with you I don't think I have ever heard it during commercials. Anyone have a rel explanation for this?
Vmac2 I think that FOX has added the annoying sound to make Joe Buck seem relatively less annoying.
Sammie 
Jim Nolan 
Daniel Nolan i first started noticing this exact same strange rythmic tone liek an old cell phone or one them old school handheld video games wit teh LCD screens, while i was watchin AMC's "breaking bad" a coupel months back. i tried doin several google serches of different wording and never foudn anythin til now.
but i didnt just notice it once either. itw as almost liek it was just on the show Breaking Bad ( but then i dont watch much TV). since breaking bad season ended i started watchin other AMC series and almost every oen them that are on in the evenings or night time got this annoyin noise in the back ground. ive since then became curious more of this and started channel surfing and just listenin to TV while on the puter and its on alot more tahn jst AMC's shows and fox or "LIVE" events. almost like its at random. I think its big brother playing wit auditory mind manipulation in some form or another. at least somethin to that effect. someone call "ALEX jONES " AND ASK HIM.
Has anyone noticed the aggravating, almost physical effect this sound has? It is more than just annoying at prolonged exposure. Maybe just my imagination but after watching two football games in a row I've got a weird headache.
Annoyed- I get a headache after some games too usually only when my teams lose! LOL
I have also noticed a strange hum/hiss sound as well. Very odd.
Greg So interesting that I have never heard this noise and I watch live sports all the time.
I too have Direct TV and have indeed heard a phone ringing in the background when my husband is watching football. I know because I am famous for calling in to the living room that his cell phone is ringing and to pick it up. He then assures me it is on the TV.
apple I'm so glad others hear this! I must say these high pitched tones are driving me crazy. Ive noticed if the tv pic pans to like the sky or some image where the pixels get bright it makes that sound.
Thoth Hearing it now on ABC. I heard it on the sitcoms before DWTS, so it isn't limited to a live show. I'll try and record it and isolate the tone.
Any chance it could be related to the Emergency Broadcast test they are doing on 11/9 ?
"Any chance it could be related to the Emergency Broadcast test they are doing on 11/9 ?"
That would be my guess beta testing for "Big Brother" FEMA to come right into your living room & i wonder what the Fed's have planned next?
"The United States Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be conducting the first-ever national test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday November 9 at 2:00 p.m. EST.
The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies. The National Weather Service, governors, and state and local officials also utilize parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts."
http://stoughton.patch.com/articles/first-national-test-of-the-emergency-alert-system-nov-9
ABC (via ESPN) coverage of WVU/Cincinnati college game... This noise was constant. I don't know who to complain to. I would hope they notice it and are doing something about it.
John73878387 Glad I found you people. I thought it was just me. I've been hearing this computer sounding, rhythmic tone, primarily on live sports events for a couple of months. For a while, it seemed only on the Fox channel during the NFL games. Now, on ABC, during the FSU-Miami game, I'm hearing this fairly loudly. I'm recording this, but what in the world is this? I'm not watching HD, but this is occuring on FIOS, and I'm in Northern Va.
Van I think Fox is augmenting the sound for live sporting events, trying to create more crowd noise then there really is...maybe even a soundtrack. It just doesn't sound true anymore and quite annoying to listen to. Other networks may be doing the same.
Jim2334 I'm in Chicago w/ Directv. Been hearing it for months on a number of channels and feeds. I first heard it during a Bears game and again on Fringe. Those were both on Fox, and now my girlfriend says shes heard it on dancing with the stars past couple of weeks. Ridiculously annoying.
Doris Can't be as annoying as those stupid logos or preview information about shows that pop up on the screen during the most critical time of your favorite tv show. Now they are animated and cover 20% of the screen, so distracting. I hate the networks.
Bruin I hear this exact same thing. It doesn't matter if it's a live event like sports, or a pre-recorded show like Wheel of Fortune. I hear it at my house and others. The only common thread is Comcast (I think). What is this? Did I miss the answer in this thread somewhere?
Greg370Z OMG. People who hear the noise that I hear. Thank you!
Seriously, I have Comcast. I started to hear the noise during Yankee games, then late night shows (how dare they mess with Craig!). Now I hear it on PBS stations!
Honestly, I'm starting to think it's an anti-piracy tactic.
I don't care why it's there. I just want it want it to stop.
GaryEA Thank goodness I found this thread! Like you guys, I thought I was crazy! My fiance couldn't hear it, and neither could anyone else I tried to point it out to. I also started hearing it during the Emmy's and now I hear it basically anywhere (and by anywhere, I mean any channel, any city). I live in DC, but I travel for work, and I still hear it in the hotel rooms I stay at across the country. On broadcast stations, cable stations, premium channels, live tv, pre-recorded shows, etc. I've been googling it for a while now and I never found much on it.
I can't believe there aren't more online threads on this. Perhaps not that many people can hear it? I have to believe if everyone could, people would be talking about it all over the place. That, or it would be fixed by now.
CUy 
tornadosoul7 I first heard it on NASCAR broadcasts on ESPN in October....being annoyed by it now durign the Homestead race.
Jarvis cbel - We've got reasonable reception around here. It's nothing but everyday static - it's just now that it's all digital signals people don't recognize what it is any more.
I consistently hear this noise on AMC during "The Walking Dead" and "Hell on Wheels". I even hear it when I watch these episodes on OnDemand. I don't know what to make of it. Anyone else experiencing this phenomenon?
I hear it all the time too. I drive me nuts!!!!!!!!! Hear it on Hell on Wheels, CSI, Two and a half Men and many many others. What the hell is it?
Miche 
htownchik At first I thought it was just on AMC and breaking bad, but then I noticed it during Conan O'brien and then the World Series. Its very faint and sounds like some kind of digital dialing that gets higher pitched and only lasts less than a second. Im glad im not the only one thats getting driven mad hearing this noise.
Ericc OK, so I have reviewed many forums on this topic. There is no doubt that the almost subliminal repeating tone sequence is real. Most people noticed it on FOX, but some notice it on other channels as well [which I haven't as of yet]: ESPN, AMC and others. This is certainly not coming from isolated from cable/satellite carriers, nor does it appear to be an artifact from compression.
We need to find out what the heck it is! I think that we can all agree that it is annoying as hell. There might be some audio experts in academia, and possibly in the private sector, who would be willing to get to the bottom of this. My question: does anybody have DVD recording capabilities, and if so, does it show up in the recording? I know for sure the tone sequence is preserved on DVR recordings. Also, does anybody have contacts that are expert in this sort of analysis?
I am willing to hunt down people who can analyze the broadcast signal, if you can get me a recording that contains the annoying tone.
Erich happens at :02 and :07 in this clip, very faint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh9E8QPowSQ
Joexelle That sound is as clear as a garbage truck driving through a nitro glycerine plant. Sorry, I love the classics.
I must be tone deaf along with Miss Calico. I could not hear a thing, and the speakers I am using with this PC are top notch(well were at some point lol).
"didn't hear anything"
Uh oh, Calico and Carni had better check their basements for pods - they've been taken over.
Calico - Yes. The sound of paranoid people who can't tell the difference between everyday digital noise and the men in the white coats coming to get them...
Carni - Probably about the same as mine. ;-)
I hear it on the clip. I heard it at the Emmys. I hear it every week on Walking Dead and Hell on Wheels (AMC). I'm watching A Christmas Carol on AMC right now and hearing it! It drives me up the wall!! I have Time Warner Cable in NY. Why won't any broadcast stations fess up??
XTNYC Just added my own example on YouTube. The noise occurs twice after George C Scott says, "just a dream"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCV-kudNo98&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Ok XTNYC - That time I heard it. I have not heard it at all while watching TV, nor in that Fringe clip above.
It's really noticeable on the AMC channel. They play it during ANY movie they have on (right now I can hear it during King Arthur) and every series they have. At first I thought it was a noise response to keep you alert and anxious. Well, if it make you anxious you're probably more likely to be tied to the movie and keep watching, eh?
I'm sure is a very planned thing they don't want you to know about.
We have Comcast btw, in Colorado and the AMC seems to abuse the "noise" the most.
Thank you, I thought I was going crazy until my boyfriend said "yeah, it's an AMC thing but they play it during really odd times, not just scary or intense moments.".
They, the cable people, will never acknowledge it, so quit trying. Maybe someone should do an expose on it.
lc Omg my husband thinks I am nuts! I hear on cbs, have metrocast cable. During sports, Mike and molly and various other times but only CBS HD. Glad to see I am not alone.
crystyn I have also been hearing this sound during NFL games. I think its a planned sound, which only some can hear. Must be broadcast on purpose, definitely not right. Its some subliminal sound that they are using to mess with us.
ari THANK GOD IM NOT CRAZY!! I didnt want to say anything to my family cuz I started to think maybe I was hearing "voices" aka weird sounds in my head!! LOL Im so happy it isnt just me. It started with teh Tigers Vs. Rangers WS and I hear it non stop now different cable providers, TV's, Locations.... Its driving me crazy. I just heard it again and decided to do a search and found this. I knew I was on to something when the google auto populate finished my typing of "annoying sound during (world series) I didnt have to put world series so there must be a lot of people researching this. It sounds like the old 1970's hand held football game but in different sequences...
Here is a link to the similar sound... Go to the 1:58 mark and it happens at 2:01. Not exactly the same pattern but the pitch is very similar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfeKOk93NDY
So HAPPY im not crazy LMAO :-)
Rodney Rodney: Went to the link; didn't hear the noise. But I'm glad to know that you know you're not going crazy.
its the GOP telling us in code to vote for them next time. Thats why you hear it on Fox tv.
aguy Hi!!!
I seriously that I was going INSANE!!!
I started hearing this noise on AMC while watching Jurassic Park 1 and thought i was watching JP 3 because it has the cellphone in it. False. It happens on both of my televisons one is Panasonic and one is a Samsung. I have Time warner cable and I've heard it on AMC and most local channels.
It's about 5 or 6 tones right? very atonal in melody?
I hear it most prominently when whatever is on the television gets loud. For example an intense action scene or old movies were the sound is terrible so you know they have to increase the overall volume of the movie.
You're not crazy. I promise.
LogannS COMCAST SUCKS!@!! Was watching Giants game and it went dead Just as they were beating the Cowboys. DISH here I come I havet COMCAST So unreliable ! Fios please come to my area!!
EGH Yes, Joexelle, that is the exact same sound I have been hearing during applause during shows. I first noticed it during a broadcast of the Kennedy Center Honors program, every time there was audience applause. I just thought it was a glitch from that particular show, but now I'm hearing it during more programs as well. It's like a sequence of 5 or 6 electronic notes. What is it? How can we get rid of it?
BrianG BrianG - "What is it?" = typical digital noise. "How can we get rid of it?" - better reception.
EGH - Sorry, BrianG is on Fios and he's got it too. Oops.
Actually researching a bit more, and another site has a possible explanation. Could be Nielsen watermarks, which are supposed to be unperceivable to the human ear but can be picked up by microphones. See http://media-sync.tv/howitworks . It seems to make sense, since when applause (which resembles white noise) happens, the tones seem to get louder. Any microphone attempting to pick up watermarks would need to receive louder tones to achieve the necessary signal-to-noise ratio.
I here it too only on fox. I'm in Portland, Oregon and I have Comcast. It has been driving me crazy every sunday during football. Cannot focus on the game! Why are they doing nothing about this? Anyone have any further info, updates?
AJB Now that people are noticing the noise more I seem to be hearing them played in a lower volume when the show is "quiet" and louder when there's a lot of commotion.
I really think it's there to get a "flight or flight" response which is what a cell phone ring does.
No aliens, no mad scientists, but definitely simple psychology to keep you alert to keep watching whatever it is you're watching, and stay awake for the commercials. lol.
Noticed it on TNT, AMC, FX... probably more. It's very noticeable when they plague it in an old movie, especially if it's a "quiet" movie!
I thought I was the only one! Hear a chimey, digital sound on just about all stations. TNT; TBS;AMC;FOX;ABC;CBS; - My family members do not hear it but I have really good hearing and can hear and sense things far more acutely. So, what the hell? How, who and why is this occurring? I need some explanations, how 'bout the rest of you?
azjeanie 
Stacia At :10 in this clip it's as clear as day...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0cjCZEjVR8
But seriously, the Fringe clip nailed it. And it's getting worse. I hear it all the time now.
Rex Kramer I hear this frequently during football games and other events, most noticeable during applause. Repetitive melody every few seconds or so; it sounds like a 90's cell phone ringtone. Heard it during the State of the Union address the other night as well.
Bob Kustofawitshz We're in San Jose, CA. I also began hearing the "ring tone" audio artifacts during the 2011 Emmy broadcast. We have DirecTV, and it occurs across multiple channels, not just Fox. It really does appear to be audio watermarking technology, because it happens in shows played from the DVR as well as shows watched real-time. It is happening right now 2012-01-28 in the latest Fringe episode that we're watching from the DVR "Forced Perspective", and it is very annoying. It is even more aggravating that the audio range is only perceptible to a certain percentage of the population, and I'm sure the developers of the technology know that.
Annoyed TV Viewer Here's more info on the Nielsen audio watermark technology:
http://spie.org/x31800.xml?ArticleID=x31800#B2
Note that other methods exist which allow audience measurements WITHOUT modifying the original audio signal (e.g. the audio fingerprinting mentioned in this article). They really need to ditch this current stuff NOW, or we'll be forced to stream shows from Netflix or other sources, and stop watching all shows that contain this annoying noise.
And how they're using it:
http://www.mrweb.com/drno/news12350.htm
I believe it is related to Cinavia, an audio copy protection water mark (not Nielsen related) IMHO. HDMI 1.3 and higher provide for copy protection (DRM) for source programming.
Even more Annoyed Wow I'm so glad someone else thinks a "digital watermark." When I first this noise some time ago my room mates thought I was going crazy (they still do) because I'm an audio engineer. Originally I thought sounded more like the audio was being dithered - the quality of the audio is diminished while using digital noise to fill in the holes. But it was too consistent sounding to be dithering. It's gotta be some kinda watermark and I wish it would stop because it's driving me crazy (not to mention making me sound crazy)!!
Steve I If it's a watermark then why is the chiming the same notes everytime on different shows and channels. Those notes would be unique to the show and timestamp if that were the case. It's surprising to see people have been complaining about this since last year and still nothing has been done. Keep coming up with plausible theories so this annoying noise can stop!
Also, from the links that people have posted about watermarking it seems that the watermark is present on every single show so if this noise is due to that I wonder why we only sometimes hear it on a few stations.
Stillskeptical Thank you everyone for posting this! My husband thought I was crazy, I was hearing beeping noises on TV and he wasn't.... we are in Florida and have BrightHouse cable... I think I only hear the beeps during live TV shows (or shows taped live, like Letterman) and HD shows. The noise doesn't seem to show up on reruns or news. I wonder if it is some kind of frequency thing that he can't hear the beeps.
Karma I only hear it on AMC on every show. Not sure what it is but im sure comcast knows of it. Have you guys complained to your cable provider or the networks? Something needs to be done.
fixxxer Please realize that there are two distinct types of the strange noise. One sounds like feedback. The other sounds like intentional, melodic tones. Personally I've never heard the latter, except for the clip below. But I hear the feedback (Fringe) all over the place.
Metallic feedback --
happens at :02 and :07 in this clip, very faint (tv show Fringe) (from Joexelle)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh9E8QPowSQ
Melodic tones--
The noise occurs twice after George C Scott says, "just a dream" (from XTNYC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCV-kudNo98&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I stand corrected. I think there is just one type of the strange noise. I guess when it's fainter, like in the Fringe clip, it sounds more like feedback/echo. But it's all over the Grammys right now.
if you take tin foil and make a cap of it and wrap the edges of your tv the strange sounds will stop - but the strange looks will start
The Fringe clip is completely part of the sound track and intentional. It's neither noise nor feeback and nothing out of the ordinary.
Caged - Will the foil hat get anyone to actually read where they're posting? Now that would be strange. ;-)
GC, if you can't hear the tones in the Fringe clip then it just must be too faint for your ears to pickup. But they are definitely there. Did anybody watch the Grammys last night? It was so bad I can't imagine anybody not hearing it. But for those with sensitive hearing even the Fringe example can get annoying.
Heard it on CBS HD Pebble Beach 2/2012 and during all CBS NFL games done by Jim Nance and company.
NOT MYSTERIOUS - THE CAUSE IS KNOWN:
It appears to be digital audio compression artifacts.
Highly compressing a more random sound, like audience applause or crowd noise, is more difficult than other sounds, so the metallic tones seems to be the result of it.
It's the networks who are over compressing their signals and causing it.
Tim Scott Makes sense to me, Tim. Of course, you just pasted Samoverton's post. Do you have any particular knowledge which would justify your all-caps assertion? Do you know why the networks would continue with this practice despite the negative effects? Inquiring minds want to know.
The noise occurs when there is relative silence. Sounds like computer game, carnival, cell phone ringtone. There is no applause or noise occurring. That is why it is so noticeable.
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