Possibly a dumb question, but I recently got DirecTV HD, and have set up Sunrise Earth to be automatically recorded.

The picture is magnificent, but it seems that the audio is dominated by loud white noise. I can occasionally just barely hear other sounds in the background, but mostly just noise.

I have not expereinced any similar problem on any other program on Discovery or any other channel.

Anybody else experiencing this?

We haven't heard that here. The sound is also HD and super. Sorry that you're missing it.

One thing -- and I hope this doesn't seem silly to you, it's not intended that way, but -- some episodes are shot in seaside locations and in those the sound of the water on the shore does produce a dominant "white noise" effect.

The microphones don't seem to move with every shot so a perceived artifact in these seaside can be this white noise effect. This is especially so in cliff-side or rocky-shore situations where the sound is more naturally compressed and comingled by the surroundings.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck! The sound is wonderful.

most magnificent visual. audio as if the cameraman was standing just inside an open door to a public restroom with a urinal that wont stop flushing with the addition of the reverb (echo). yes, very annoying. cant last through one visual. hey discovery, looking for an audio guy? I know one.

Sunrise series....it is blatantly obvious that they have ADDED artificial "white (or pink) noise". This is added to an otherwise clear soundtrack, except from some wind and the noise-floor of the recording setup. You can hear an audio "limiter" kick in on the noise, when birds chirp loudly.

Low-level "White Noise" is well known for it's "therapeutic" (calming) effects on the listener.
It is similar to the sound of the noise in between radio stations, or unused analog TV channels.

I find this rather disingenuous...contrary to the show's "plot" (and it's a loose plot for sure), of bring the viewer a glimpse of pure nature without humanly distraction.

I wonder if they admit this somewhere ?

=FB=

Yes, I've often wondered that myself. How could you ruin such a beautiful video with such horrible audio? You'd think that with High Def you'd get crystal clear sound as well.
And no, it's not just background water/air noise, it's poor production.

I watch Sunrise Earth every morning. I love the video; but whoever their audio person is, must be deaf. The dubbed in white noise is annoying. Occasionally they will insert some bird songs, but you can tell the white noise is dubbed in. Recently there was an episode shot down by the ocean, instead of hearing waves coming in, all you heard was this really annoying white noise. Come on people, cant you do better than that? Its so annoying I watch the program with the sound turned off.