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Amazon is launching Dialogue Boost, a new function that aims to create “a more comfortable and accessible viewing experience”. Using the latest in AI technology, the feature will enable users to effectively sound engineer their shows to raise dialogue volume, creating an effect that will lower the background music and audio effects for clarity.
The technology can isolate audio that may be difficult to hear, for example one of the Amazon original series’ that is using this technology is Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, an action-heavy thriller that should notably improve parts for listeners who are struggling to hear in dramatic and conflict-laden interludes.
The Dialogue Boost function will work on any device that plays Prime videos, and it will be visible on the ‘details’ page if it is available. The preset options include ‘medium’ and ‘high’ settings in English.
At present, the shows and films that have launched Dialogue Boost are English Amazon Originals:
Following the launch of Dialogue Boost, there are plans in the works for further shows and films to include the feature. Speaking excitedly about Dialogue Boost, Raf Soltanovich, VP of technology at Prime Video and Amazon Studios explained:
“At Prime Video, we are committed to building an inclusive, equitable and enjoyable streaming experience for all our customers.
Our library of captioned and audio described content continues to grow, and by leveraging our technological capabilities to create industry-first innovations like Dialogue Boost, we are taking another step to create a more accessible streaming experience.”
In recent times, accessibility has gained traction in the arts and entertainment, and it’s positive to see film and television follow suit with the addition of Dialogue Boost as well as adding more Audio Descriptions and Closed Captioning as the topic of inclusion increases in momentum.
As previously reported by TheatreArtLife, there have been a number of positive changes in recent times, including the launch of the GalaPro app for use in theatres, which offers users closed captioning, language subtitles, audio description, amplification and dubbing in their native language plus translation services. In music, the inclusion of sign language translation has gained popularity, with interpreters such as Matt Maxey at DEAFinitely Dope going viral with his performances at live shows.
In the UK theatre scene, Deafinitely Youth Theatre has gained publicity thanks to patron Rose Ayling-Ellis, who is a deaf actress and winner of the 2021 competition Strictly Come Dancing. Following her appearance on the show, the uptake of new learners of British Sign Language increased exponentially, demonstrating the impact that giving a platform to accessibility and inclusion can have in just a short time.
We are excited to see what the latest developments in technology and the efforts of accessibility champions will bring next to the world of arts and entertainment, and hope other broadcasters will emulate this practice following the launch of Dialogue Boost.
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