MP3 manufacturers required to set the "default" level to 80dB in the EU

Run_to_da_hills · 30-09-2009 03:41PM #1

In another ridiculous move the EU has passed legislation to restrict Ipods and MP3 players to just 80db, this is no more than average road side noise. In other words if you were walking down a busy street you wouldn't hear the fu*ing thing. :rolleyes:

Up until now MP3 players could be turned up to 125 DB, so if someone would have to bring in an unrestricted one if they wanted to have it loud. I'm sure there will be was and means to "crack" the volume control electronically or mechanically.

http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200940/4528/European-Commission-restricts-MP3-output-to-80-decibels

TPD · 30-09-2009 03:45PM

Can't you just buy a headphone amplifier? Or even make one like so:

http://gallery.techarena.in/data/513/Chu_Moy_Headphone_Amplifier_640_Image.jpg

Seems stupid to me. Somebody with slightly bad hearing to begin with wouldnt be able to use an mp3 player. Discrimination!

artanevilla · 30-09-2009 03:46PM

WHAT?

Bob_Harris · 30-09-2009 03:47PM

On the one hand **** off and leave us alone, we can mind ourselves.

On the other hand, if it prevents people from imposing their **** taste of music in distorted and especially annoying form on to others then I am all for it.

Long Onion · 30-09-2009 03:47PM

Me thinky you should re-read linky.

THis is how the NO campaign gets legs.

partyatmygaff · 30-09-2009 03:49PM

WHAT???? OMG WTF!!!!!
IM VOTING NO THOSE EU BASTARDS CAN GO F*CK THEMSELVES!!!11!!!!

....Ahem
It had to be said

*Real answer*

Headphone amplifiers or im sure in a while there will be a patch for it, it won't really make a difference except preventing people who don't know any better ending up deaf.

I'm all for it as long as they don't make it unpatchable.

Scratch that, Just read the article, its just anti-EU scaremongering, nothing new.

seamus · 30-09-2009 03:50PM

Thread title fail.

For anyone who decided not to read the article - there's no talk whatsoever of restricting the volume on MP3 players. Instead the manufacturers are required to set the "default" level to 80dB and include a warning about going beyond this.

Most players at this point already have a warning about turning the volume beyond a certain point.

Long Onion · 30-09-2009 03:51PM

Edit: Seamus beat me to it. Next we will be told by the Euro Sceptics that Bananas have to have a certain curvature ... oh, wait a minute ...

hi_im_fil · 30-09-2009 03:51PM

Eh did you read this bit?

While device manufacturers will be required to limit the default sound level of their players to 80 decibels and warn against elevated output, users craving ear-busting music will still be able to remove the volume cap if they so wish.

EDIT: Too slow lol

Blazer · 30-09-2009 03:54PM

that;s a load of bollix about the volume cap...
Apple already follow it and you cannot set it higher unless you hack it..
Unfortunately the ipod nano 3th gen was non hackable and i was stuck with crap sound for all my rock music

Iron Maiden just doens't sound the same at 80db as opposed to 120db.
Thank god I brought a new one in from Oz

Rock on :eek:

javaboy · 30-09-2009 03:56PM

This "restriction" still allows volumes above what is considered the threshold for harming your ears. The reality is that people are damaging their hearing from listening to overly loud music. If there was a restriction on televisions being so bright that they could seriously damage our eyesight, I don't think anyone would bat an eyelid. It seems nannyish I'll admit but meh.

The thing is though that there is such a variance in the output of the player and the effective volume that the person hears. I have a pair of headphones which would deafen you when my Zen or iPod is played at full volume. I've also got headphones that you can't hear through unless you turn the player all the way up. It would be interesting to know how this will be implemented exactly.

The_Minister · 30-09-2009 03:56PM

Tbh, this makes sense.

You set the default level to a safe (hearing-wise) level, and if people choose to go higher, then so be it.

robinph · 30-09-2009 03:57PM

This has been around for ages on all European version music players hasn't it? I know on my Creative at least there is a separate firmware for the EU that limits the volume.

Overheal · 30-09-2009 04:00PM

Nanny state(s) much?

Kidding.

They also passed a law in NYC where you arent allowed to wear headphones while crossing the street. Coincidence?

80db, this is no more than average road side noise. In other words if you were walking down a busy street you wouldn't hear the fu*ing thing.

Dartz · 30-09-2009 04:00PM

I listen loud, I listen proud. I don't have to bloody hear all of ye bitching on the bus/train.

I have Kinuko Oomori.

Run_to_da_hills · 30-09-2009 04:03PM

Overheal wrote: »

Nanny state(s) much?

Kidding.

They also passed a law in NYC where you arent allowed to wear headphones while crossing the street. Coincidence?

I guess we will be going back to these again:D

http://www.heyokay.com/images/Ghetto%20Blaster.jpg

CountingCrows · 30-09-2009 04:04PM

seamus wrote: »

Thread title fail.

For anyone who decided not to read the article - there's no talk whatsoever of restricting the volume on MP3 players. Instead the manufacturers are required to set the "default" level to 80dB and include a warning about going beyond this.

Most players at this point already have a warning about turning the volume beyond a certain point.

Bureaucracy gone mad, what player leaves the factory with the the "default" level above 80dB?

30-09-2009 04:05PM

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

I'm sure there will be was and means to "crack" the volume control electronically or mechanically.

You mean by turning it up?

javaboy · 30-09-2009 04:05PM

So another non story then Run?

ShooterSF · 30-09-2009 04:07PM

Doesn't bother me. I still carry my ghetto blaster around.

BaconZombie · 30-09-2009 04:12PM

So if you try turning it up beyond 10 and midget is going to jump out and slap you across the head?

"Why don't you just make 10 louder and make 10 be the top number, and make that a ... These Go Up To 11"

seamus wrote: »

Thread title fail.

For anyone who decided not to read the article - there's no talk whatsoever of restricting the volume on MP3 players. Instead the manufacturers are required to set the "default" level to 80dB and include a warning about going beyond this.

Most players at this point already have a warning about turning the volume beyond a certain point.

javaboy · 30-09-2009 04:18PM

seamus wrote: »

Thread title fail.

Also article title fail it must be said with respect to RTDH.

Run_to_da_hills · 30-09-2009 04:18PM

Deleted User wrote: »

You mean by turning it up?

No, you would get a fine for that :eek:

javaboy · 30-09-2009 04:19PM

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

No, you would get a fine for that :eek:

/hovers cursor over "Move to CT" button

ScumLord · 30-09-2009 04:36PM

javaboy wrote: »

It would be interesting to know how this will be implemented exactly.

How dare you question EU law, this insolence will have the secret police kicking down your door at 4 in the morning and dragging you off to the nearest gulag, get him Gunther! Wait, is it after Oct 2nd yet?

General Zod · 30-09-2009 04:52PM

Long Onion wrote: »

Edit: Seamus beat me to it. Next we will be told by the Euro Sceptics that Bananas have to have a certain curvature ... oh, wait a minute ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6481969.stm

The EU issued guidelines onto curvature of different types of fruit depending on what class they were being advertised as. Which isn't really a terrible thing.

phasers · 30-09-2009 04:56PM

If I had wheels I'd be a wagon

Kintarō Hattori · 30-09-2009 05:03PM

Overheal wrote: »

Nanny state(s) much?

Kidding.

They also passed a law in NYC where you arent allowed to wear headphones while crossing the street. Coincidence?

Really? So each time you cross the road you have to take them out of your ears?

Sony have a function on their players called AVLS which limits the volume, it's been around for years. While it's on by default you can select to turn it off. I'm sure most other manufacturers have a similar option.

PirateShampoo · 30-09-2009 05:05PM

Dartz wrote: »

I listen loud, I listen proud. I don't have to bloody hear all of ye bitching on the bus/train.

I have Kinuko Oomori.

You must be a cyclist so....

K-Ren · 30-09-2009 05:16PM

I don't know why everyone's like ' 80db, that's only busy traffic volume, rabble rabble! '. The noise of busy traffic isn't meant to be concentrated in your ear-drum. It's 20db less than a jack-hammer.

Tern that racket down yoo ignerint yungin's

rcunning03 · 30-09-2009 05:21PM

ScumLord wrote: »

How dare you question EU law, this insolence will have the secret police kicking down your door at 4 in the morning and dragging you off to the nearest gulag, get him Gunther! Wait, is it after Oct 2nd yet?

I hope all those crazy people who fear the EU are correct. My greatest wish is that come Oct. 3 the Germans or Scandies will take over Ireland get rid of all the corrupt paddies in government, send the xenophobic Irish speakers to the ovens and build us U-bahns, S-bahns and Autobahns.

Unfortunately it won't happen. If Lisbon gets passed we won't notice any difference but I can always dream. Does anyone know of any Norwegian ultra nationlist parties that want to reunite the viking world?

Anyway the noise limits have been there for years and they make sense in pedestrianised cities on the continent. You can bypass the limit so you can hear it in our noisey towns and cities.

MP3 manufacturers required to set the "default" level to 80dB in the EU

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