Review Terminology
Dear Gary:
I’ve been reading your magazine since Issue 1 (1992) and look forward to it each month. Lately, though, a question has come up concerning the use in your DVD-HD DVD-Blu-ray Disc reviews of the term “shuffling noise.” It came up so frequently this last issue I decided to look back a ways and see how often it’s used, because it seems like quite a bit. Similarly, with the “high frequency noise.” In the past 101 reviews (last four issues) the “shuffling noise” problem has plagued 27 titles and the “high-frequency noise” has been there 11 times. Could you offer an explanation as to what these are, especially the “shuffling noise.” Thanks.
James Burt
Managing Editor Danny Richelieu Comments:
When I write “shuffling noise” or “shuffling distortion” in DVD and Blu-ray Disc audio reviews, I’m referring to the distortion that can be heard—especially noticeable on top of dialogue—caused by poor compression. The distortion sounds like papers or clothing being shuffled together, which is where the term “shuffling” came from.
As for “high-frequency noise” or “high-frequency ringing” or “high-pitched noise” this refers to the 15.625 kHz noise that is emitted by CRT monitors. During filming, the crew often has CRT monitors onstage, and that 15.625 kHz noise that is caused by the CRT’s line scanning can be picked up by the mics when recording dialogue. There are ways to remove this high-frequency noise, and when it is not removed from the final soundtrack it can be a major distraction, which is why I tend to point it out in my reviews.
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