This is a random thought, more about media formats than equipment, but it sure would be nice if they came up with some sort of "sync" signal at the beginning of the media (whether on connection to a stream, beginning of a program, whatever video bits start the disc, whatever.) Sure, but a sync signal for what? Audio levels. A signal to let the audio device(s) know what base level the audio is. Based on that, a receiver/tv/whatever would be able to reference that to its current volume and adjust behind the scenes to keep things consistent.
End result? One show/app/blu-ray/stream/etc is the same overall base volume as the next. So no more having to turn the volume up and down between shows/ads/etc because one has a higher/lower base than another.
So a volume setting of say 20 on your tv. Well, the next show comes along and to have the dialog at the same level you have to adjust the volume. Granted it's not every show, but for example right now I have the ESPN app up with Scotties featured group. The volume is at 32 on the dial. That app is loud. Normally the volume is set around 45. Other times you go to watch a different app or start a movie, and you have to turn it up to 50, 55, very rare occasions 60, just to have the volume at the same level instead of basting your ears out, or making you wonder if you need hearing aids.
So the tv/audio device would get a signal saying this show/moving/stream is based at whatever dB level. The tv can take that info and adjust it's output so it's still at the same volume you have selected.
Not talking about things like night mode, and damping signals. Talking about the actual volume levels being different between sources/shows/streams/etc. I mean if we can split signals into however many audio channels and this and that, why can't they add a level signal? Seems like it wouldn't be difficult to create, and not terrible to implement on the hardware side.
Sorry. Just a random thought after I opened the ESPN app and got smacked in the face. lol