Too loud to wake the neighbors, not loud enough to hear the dialogue properly, on platforms as well as on linear channels... finding the perfect volume is often a headache. Many viewers discover movies and series with the remote in hand to adapt the volume of their TV to the action unfolding in front of them. This is especially true for action movies, where characters can speak in very low voices and be interrupted by very loud explosions or equally loud gunfights. This phenomenon tends to multiply with the advent of streaming platforms and the use of more aggressive audio compression. Prime Video has found the solution to this problem, and it is on the side of accessibility options that we must look.
Indeed, since 2023, the American company has offered a feature that changes the viewing experience for people with hearing loss as well as for users who do not suffer from hearing problems. This feature it's “Dialogue Boost” and it's still particularly unknown. To activate it, simply go to the platform's audio options in its web and application versions. Rather than selecting “English”, fans of the original version should instead turn to the two options called “English Dialogue Boost Medium” and “English Dialogue Boost High”. Unfortunately, this feature is not yet available in French and may never be.
AI to the rescue of your TV evenings
To develop the dialogue boost, Prime Video has relied on artificial intelligence and its own algorithms. The tool is able to analyze the sequences where the dialogues are weaker to increase the volume of the exchanges and reduce that of the sound effects, the sound environments and even the original music. If the difference is minimal on most scenes, it works its magic on many moments like in a lively bar or in a car.
It should be noted that “Dialogue Boost” is not offered on all titles available through the Prime Video catalog. The option mainly concerns the streaming service's original productions, from Reacher to The Boys, including films like Á contresens or Road House to name a few. It should be noted, however, that owners of a sound system can also use the settings on their devices to enjoy a similar experience, regardless of language and platform. Some soundbars offer a night mode that increases the clarity of dialogues to make them quite audible, even at low intensity.
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