For as long as I can recall, many times (not always) when a commercial comes on during a TV show it is a LOT louder than the show itself. So loud that you have to reduce the volume to be comfortable. Of course, with remote controls that’s not really a big deal, but now with this new device it can be automated.
It’s a simple little box that automatically detects when a program has gone to commercial and lowers the volume accordingly. You take the audio output from your cable or satellite box, plug it into the VR-1 then plug the VR-1’s outputs into your TV. Audiovox provides you with an RCA patch cord to help complete the task.On the front of the VR-1 is a switch to turn the active circuitry on or off and a light to tell you the included AC adapter is plugged into the wall outlet. That’s all there is to it. Source: MSNBC
The reviewer sat next to the device so he could turn it off and on, but he couldn’t really discern a difference. Now maybe that’s really good design, making usage transparent … or maybe he just didn’t have a commercial come on that was particularly loud. At any rate, we Americans have gotten lazy enough already with remote controls that I think I can forego the extra (admittedly reasonable) expense of approximately $40. Also, with PVRs so popular, I see this device as having limited sales potential.
