Why does the 'on hold' music SOUND so awful!!!!!!

[mickeymom629]

That has ALWAYS been my question!! Edited to say that I love the songs, of course, but the sound is so painful and annoying. I expect better from Disney.

 

[drusba]

So you will be encouraged to hang up, since they do not want to answer the phone out of fear there might be an irate member on the other end.

 

[Jelly563]

just heard when u wish upon a star -Jimity Cricket

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I've heard lots of fun Disney tunes and thought it was just fine so I can't help you with what is so awful.

 

[DisneyQueen1320]

I love the hold music.

 

[bwang123]

i call just for the hold music. when the rep answers the phone, i request to be put back on hold.

 

[ErinC]

I don't mind the music, mine always sounds like a radio station that isn't completely in tune. It's fuzzy and it drives me crazy.

 

[mickeymom629]

I've heard lots of fun Disney tunes and thought it was just fine so I can't help you with what is so awful.

Okay, I guess I stated it incorrectly - I meant the sound system, not the songs. Yes, of course I love the songs!! I just can't believe Disney can't provide better listening rather than the painful fading/scratchiness. Sometimes I feel like I was hung up on, also.

 

[Flossbolna]

I have no idea. But I have been wondering about this as well. It sounds like they use a very old tape or so. Most of the time the volume is really low and it fades in and out. And if you put up the volume, every time the voice announcing that they are sorry that you are still waiting is far too loud. I was actually considering sending an email to Member Services to complain about it.

 

[wnielsen1]

There's a simple reason for this. If you bought direct, you get the HD audio when you are placed on hold. If you bought resale, then you get the scratchy 8-track quality.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Haha! I was wondering this the other day so I looked it up! Turns out compression algorithms for transmitting sound across phone lines were designed for human conversations. When they reach the next phone they are decompressed without much loss to the quality. However when you try to do the same thing with music, you lose a lot!

Here is a more engineery description:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/comments/2dwj84/why_does_hold_music_always_sound_so_terrible/

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Haha! I was wondering this the other day so I looked it up! Turns out compression algorithms for transmitting sound across phone lines were designed for human conversations. When they reach the next phone they are decompressed without much loss to the quality. However when you try to do the same thing with music, you lose a lot!

Here is a more engineery description:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/comments/2dwj84/why_does_hold_music_always_sound_so_terrible/

Interesting but it used to be clear and fine. Perhaps they've had a phone system change although just as likely is an issue with the source.

 

[ErinC]

I have no idea. But I have been wondering about this as well. It sounds like they use a very old tape or so. Most of the time the volume is really low and it fades in and out. And if you put up the volume, every time the voice announcing that they are sorry that you are still waiting is far too loud. I was actually considering sending an email to Member Services to complain about it.

I'm sure they would say it had to do with a survey and the members requested it!

There's a simple reason for this. If you bought direct, you get the HD audio when you are placed on hold. If you bought resale, then you get the scratchy 8-track quality.

This made me laugh! But I bought my points direct and my music is bad!

 

[Flossbolna]

Haha! I was wondering this the other day so I looked it up! Turns out compression algorithms for transmitting sound across phone lines were designed for human conversations. When they reach the next phone they are decompressed without much loss to the quality. However when you try to do the same thing with music, you lose a lot!

Here is a more engineery description:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/comments/2dwj84/why_does_hold_music_always_sound_so_terrible/

Most hold music isn't great, but the DVC one is totally bad. If you would give life music a 10, a good CD 9 then usual hold music is about 6 maybe. DVC however is a 2.

I will try to write to Member Services this weekend and will report back, if I get an answer.

 

[mickeymom629]

There's a simple reason for this. If you bought direct, you get the HD audio when you are placed on hold. If you bought resale, then you get the scratchy 8-track quality.

I bought direct. I can't remember it being good (since 1999), though maybe it was as KAT4DISNEY says.

I will try to write to Member Services this weekend and will report back, if I get an answer.

That would be great, thanks! I should have asked when I was online chatting about a reservation the other day.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Interesting but it used to be clear and fine. Perhaps they've had a phone system change although just as likely is an issue with the source.

Guessing it is a change to VOIP (Voice over IP). The old landline copper wire phones system was the best for sound quality.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Guessing it is a change to VOIP (Voice over IP). The old landline copper wire phones system was the best for sound quality.

That was my thought too.