Basic Instructions by Scott Meyer for July 24, 2023

As an American, I can tell you that anything from the BBC requires subtitles. It’s the accent and the pacing, yeah, but it’s also the sound quality isn’t always amazing, either.

Then there’s the problem that even with a surround sound system, my age-wracked body requires hearing aids. They help, but not with BBC productions … go figure. And turn on subtitles.

Subtitles always help, I don’t watch TV to be completely focused and concentrated.

Subtitles are a great crutch to lean on, while drifting in and out of consciousness.

Especially when there’s very quiet spoken bits and then very loud explosions, instead of the more practical other way around.

I don’t care how superior his richard is, I’m still turning on subtitles.

I’m reminded of that great run of British TV from the sixties and seventies, when there seemed to be an absolute surplus of stage trained actors for even the most minor role.

Being hearing impaired if it wasn’t for subtitles I wouldn’t watch the telly at all.

long ago I built a audio box that used an equalizer and a compressor circuit. between the two made the whispers and explosions almost as load as the talking voice.

Subtitles can sometimes be hilariously wrong.

Even with state of the art hearing aids, I find closed captions essential to understanding tv dialog.

I have a Surround System, and a dirty little secret about it is that it’s only as good as whoever “mixed” that specific show. When done correctly, it’s wonderful, but most commonly, and even after my efforts to balance where the sounds are coming from, almost everything besides “ambient” sounds will come from the Center Speaker. So I end up setting the System to “Stereo”, simply because I get more “immersion” from it…

The sound systems are fine. The BBC uses actors speaking Welsh.

This one got me with the first panel LOL I love Basic Instructions!

It’s interesting how the meaning of the word ‘diction’ has evolved. Originally, it referred to choice of words, not articulation.

I like the DVDs/BD.s that have English captions for hearing impaired. I guess that means I have to admit I’m hearing-impaired.

Along with all my other impairments.

First I thought he was watching mumblecore. The only mumbling superhero I can think of is Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man.

I always use subtitles for Christopher Nolan movies. Absolutely necessary for Tenet. It’s often useful for a first watch-through of anything. I seldom use it on YT, where it’s frequently misleading.

According to Robin Williams, if you can’t understand a British regional accent, you’re not drinking enough.