Netflix has upgraded its Android app to use the xHE-AAC audio codec that will help keep the volume of dialogue consistent between shows.
There is also the problem of inconsistent dialogue levels between shows across different genres. This usually results in you having to constantly adjust your volume up and down between shows.According to the company, the xHe-AAC codec offers some key features to address these challenges. The first is Dynamic Range Control , a technology that reduces the difference between the loudest and quietest parts of a show.
Netflix claims that the biggest benefit of this feature is that it will keep the volume of spoken dialogue consistent between different shows. So regardless of whether you are watching a drama, action movie, live concert or documentary, you can hear what actors are saying or the lead singer in a band is singing. Viewers will no longer need to constantly adjust the volume of their phone when they switch to another show.
The streaming giant said it had conducted user testing, and it found that most people preferred the audio quality of the new codec. According to the company, volume changes between different shows was “noticeably down” with the new codec. It also noticed that people were less likely to switch to using earphones when watching on their phones as the compensation applied through the phone speaker was clear enough to be heard.