Have you ever found yourself needing to constantly turn the volume up on your TV because it sounds like the actors onscreen are speaking in whispers, but then whenever action is onscreen, your TV feels deafening? It’s not just you. 

This is one of the most common issues people have with their TV audio, but, fortunately, you can change a few settings on your TV to make the dialogue sound clearer. 

Read on for three easy fixes to help your TV audio sound better.

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1. Check out your TV’s audio settings

A viewer adjusting TV audio settings with a remote control. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Most modern TVs feature preset audio settings that you can adjust on the fly to make things sound better, depending on whether you’re gaming, watching a live concert or watching a slow-burn drama. Too much bass will often obscure spoken dialogue in TV shows and movies, and I suggest going through your TV’s preset audio settings to see if you can make the audio clearer. Most TVs feature a movie, music and standard mode for TV audio. You can find your TV’s audio presets by navigating to the settings from your remote and selecting “sound.”

Some TVs will also feature audio presets explicitly designed for dialogue. Check to see if you have a setting for “Dialogue,” “News,” “Speech” or even “Speech Boost” in your TV audio settings. Any three of these should help your TV dialogue come through more clearly. You might also want to consider disabling settings for surround sound or bass boost, as these can cover up the sound of dialogue by increasing the bass too much.

Increasing the treble might be worth it if you have access to EQ settings on your TV and are struggling to hear TV dialogue. It’s an easy fix that can improve audio quality without taking too much away from non-dialogue sound in a movie or TV show.

HOW TO EASILY CONNECT HEADPHONES TO YOUR TV FOR GREAT SOUND

2. Adjust dynamic range compression

A floor-standing speaker. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Dynamic range compression, or “volume leveling,” is useful for tailoring audio sound to personal needs. Volume leveling reduces the gulf between the loudest and quietest sounds onscreen, making it easier to hear and understand onscreen dialogue, especially in action movies, where the dialogue is often much quieter than the preceding action sequence. You’ll find the settings for volume leveling or dynamic range compression in your TV audio settings, which, on most TVs, you can access directly from the remote.

My TV features volume leveling, and I love to use it when I watch TV late at night at a low volume. It helps me to understand everything easily without having the speakers loud enough to wake anyone else up. It’s also a great way to keep the audio level when commercials come on if you watch cable.

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3. Look into speakers or a soundbar

A speaker. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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The default speakers built into TVs aren’t the best. While a few high-level TVs come with a built-in soundbar, you’ll still have the best experience with your own independent speakers or a soundbar. If you followed the two tips above but are still having trouble hearing movie or TV dialogue, it might be time to look into and invest in a set of speakers or, if you want a single unit, a soundbar.

I prefer using a soundbar with a TV over speakers for a cleaner setup because they often come with built-in subwoofers that enhance the bass, making action scenes and music sound more immersive. Additionally, modern soundbars are sleek and can easily blend with your home decor. Many of them also support advanced audio technologies like Dolby Atmos, which provides a surround sound experience without the need for multiple speakers scattered around the room.

TOP 10 SOUNDBARS TO ENHANCE YOUR TV AUDIO EXPERIENCE

4. Connecting headphones to your TV

If you’re having trouble hearing dialogue clearly while watching TV, connecting headphones can provide a private listening experience that enhances audio clarity. Here’s how to easily connect both wired and wireless headphones to your TV:

Wired headphones:

Check for a 3.5mm jack: Most TVs, especially older models, have a headphone jack located on the back or side panel. If your TV has this port, simply plug in your wired headphones for instant audio.

Using adapters: If your TV lacks a headphone jack but has RCA outputs (the red and white ports), you can use an RCA-to-3.5mm adapter to connect your headphones.

Wireless headphones:

Bluetooth connection: Many modern TVs support Bluetooth. To connect:

• Put your headphones in pairing mode (usually by holding down a button until a light blinks).
• Navigate to the TV’s settings menu, find the Bluetooth option, and activate it.
• Select your headphones from the list of available devices to pair them.

Bluetooth transmitter: If your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth, consider using a Bluetooth transmitter. This device plugs into the TV’s audio output (like the headphone jack or RCA ports) and sends audio wirelessly to your Bluetooth headphones.

Media streamers: If you use devices like Roku or Apple TV, they often support Bluetooth connections for headphones, allowing you to listen privately through those devices instead.

By connecting headphones, you can enjoy clearer dialogue without disturbing others, making it easier to follow along with your favorite shows and movies. 

BEST NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES TO BOOST YOUR LISTENING

Kurt’s key takeaways

If you find yourself straining to catch every word during your favorite shows, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with audio clarity, but by implementing these simple fixes, you can significantly enhance your TV viewing experience. Whether it’s adjusting your TV’s audio settings, utilizing dynamic range compression, investing in better speakers or soundbars, or connecting headphones for a more personal listening experience, there are effective solutions at your fingertips.

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Have you ever invested in external audio equipment, such as soundbars or speakers? If so, how has that changed your viewing experience? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI, during a panel session on day three of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, January 18, 2024. (Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

– OpenAI CEO Sam Altman looking forward to working with Trump admin, says US must build best AI infrastructure
– Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facility
– LA Times owner announces planned AI-powered ‘bias meter’ for stories, columns

READY AND WILLING: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, on Sunday said he is looking forward to working with the incoming Trump administration, adding that he thinks President-elect Trump will succeed at helping to make America a world-leading force in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

‘NEW CHAPTER’: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry praised Meta’s plans to build a new artificial intelligence data center in the Pelican State, calling it the “largest private capital announcement.” 

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry. (Getty Images)

PRESS FOR FAIRNESS: LA Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong announced the upcoming AI feature on Wednesday in an interview with conservative commentator and newly appointed Times editorial board member Scott Jennings on “The Mike Gallagher Show,” which Jennings was guest-hosting.

Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong explains what direction he wants to take the paper. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP | Marco Tacca/Getty Images | Fox News Digital)

‘NOT THAT WORRIED’: Elon Musk’s possible political influence under the incoming Trump administration is not a concern for OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who dismissed claims that the X owner would use lawfare to stifle competition.

((Getty Images / Getty Images))

NO TENNIS PARTNER?: Imagine having a personal tennis coach who never gets tired, always hits the perfect shot, adapts to your skill level and is available 24/7. Enter the PongBot, a groundbreaking artificial intelligence-powered tennis robot that’s turning heads in the tennis world. 

AI tennis robots   (PongBot)

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Are you tired of scammers calling your phone, trying to trick you into giving away your hard-earned money? 

If so, you’re not alone. 

Many people are fed up with the constant barrage of fraudulent calls and messages. But what if you could fight back in a fun and creative way? Enter the world of scambaiting, where people waste scammers’ time and resources instead of falling for their tricks.

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Computer-generated AI-grandma taking on scammers. (Virgin Media O2)

What is scambaiting?

Scambaiting is when someone interacts with a scammer to waste their time and resources. Some of these online experiences are entertaining and even hilarious to watch. Instead of falling for their sneaky tricks, scambaiters play along, knowing it’s a scam, and take on the role of a potential victim to keep the scammers busy. But get this — there’s now some new technology to do the scambaiting for you.

A woman frustrated by a call from a scammer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Why scambaiting matters

So, why should we care about scambaiting? This creative strategy offers several compelling benefits. First and foremost, it effectively wastes scammers’ time. Every minute they spend on the phone with Daisy is a minute they can’t use to target real victims. By keeping them occupied, we can potentially prevent them from scamming someone else.

In addition to wasting time, scambaiting raises awareness about common scams. It serves as an educational tool, helping others recognize and avoid falling prey to similar tactics. The more people understand how these scams operate, the less likely they are to become victims. Moreover, watching scammers get flustered sheds light on the lengths these criminals will go to and highlights the importance of staying vigilant against their schemes.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

A woman on a phone call with a scammer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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The AI-powered grandma taking on scammers

“Hello there! I’m just trying to understand how this prize works. Can you explain it again? I’m not as tech-savvy as I used to be?”

That’s Daisy, an artificial intelligence-powered grandma developed by Virgin Media O2 to interact with scammers. When a scam call comes in, Daisy automatically answers and engages the caller in conversation, wasting their time. With her friendly personality and quick thinking, she keeps them on the line while gathering useful information about their tactics. Daisy combines various AI models that work together to listen and respond to fraudulent calls instantaneously. She’s so lifelike that she has successfully kept numerous fraudsters on calls for 40 minutes at a time. By tricking the criminals into thinking they were defrauding a real person and playing on scammers’ biases about older people, Daisy has prevented them from targeting real victims.

Now, before you get too excited, Daisy is currently only available for customers of Virgin Media O2 in the U.K., but other companies in the U.S. are beginning to offer similar AI-driven solutions. For instance, Apate.ai has developed AI.Callee, which engages scammers in real-time conversations across various channels. Another U.S. company, Scamnetic, has launched an AI-based scam-detection solution that can be integrated into enterprise platforms to protect consumers from various types of scams.

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Computer-generated AI-grandma taking on scammers. (Virgin Media O2)

END OF ANNOYING ROBOCALLS? FTC CRACKS DOWN ON DECEPTIVE PRACTICES

Protecting yourself from robocall scams

While scambaiting can be a fun way to fight back against scams, the best defense is simply not picking up and answering scam calls in the first place. One effective strategy is to consider investing in personal data removal services that wipe your information from public databases on the internet. By reducing your digital footprint, you can make it more difficult for scammers to contact you in the first place. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. 

Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

Kurt’s key takeaways

The introduction of AI-powered scambaiters like Daisy marks a new era in the fight against fraud. While it’s entertaining to imagine scammers being outwitted by a chatty AI grandma, it’s important to remember that the ultimate goal is to protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to these schemes. As technology evolves, so do the tactics of scammers, making it crucial for everyone to stay informed and vigilant. Whether it’s Daisy keeping scammers occupied or individuals taking steps to protect their personal information, every effort counts in the ongoing battle against fraud.

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Would you consider trying scambaiting or using AI technology to fight back against scammers, and what are your thoughts on these innovative approaches to protecting yourself from fraud? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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You’re pulling your hair out, trying to fix something on your computer. You Google it and find what looks like a helpful website or a tutorial with easy step-by-step instructions.

Phew, you’re finally solving your problem, but hold up! You’ve just walked into a “scam-yourself” attack. Cybercreeps use this clever strategy to trick you into compromising your tech so they don’t have to do the dirty work.

BIOMETRIC DATA: IS IT SAFE TO HAND IT OVER TO ANY COMPANY THAT ASKS?

I’m giving away a $500 Amazon gift card. Enter here, no purchase necessary! 

How bad is it?

Bad. Really bad. “Scam-yourself” attacks shot up 614% in the third quarter of this year alone. Lumma Stealer, the top data-stealing malware type that grabs banking info and browser extensions, spiked by 1,154%.

A 12-year-old boy types as he uses a laptop computer. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Why do these scams work so well? When something’s broken, our instinct is to rush and fix it as quickly as possible. Now, add to this the fact you’re going through the steps yourself so it feels like you’re in control. That’s exactly what makes these tricks so dangerous.

Scammers are also shockingly good at mimicking trusted sources with professional-looking websites or tutorials, making it easy to believe you’re on safe ground. Add frustration and impatience to the mix, and it’s no wonder so many folks take the bait.

TALK TECHY TO ME: GET YOUR WORK DONE FASTER WITH THIS PRO TIP

RELATED: How to spot a fake retail website before you buy

How they snag you

• Fake CAPTCHA: You verify (“I’m not a robot”), then you’re asked to download a README file for instructions. Those instructions install malware.
• YouTube tutorials: You click a download link in the description of a YouTube video that promises to fix your tech issue. You guessed it! It’s malware in disguise.
• ClickFix scams: You copy and paste commands into your computer while following a step-by-step guide. Oops … You’ve commanded it to obey its new hacker overlords.
• Phony updates: Quick! A pop-up says you need to install a security update right now! It’s malware pretending to be your app, operating system or browser.

RELATED: Another scammer is now rich

Computer code on a screen with a skull representing a computer virus / malware attack. (iStock)

How to protect yourself

These scammers are savvy, but you can outsmart them.

Think twice before downloading: If a tutorial tells you to turn off antivirus software or download a random link, bail. Rely on big names like Google, Apple and Microsoft that publish steps for help online … or, you know, me!

Check URLs and sources: Cybercriminals mimic legitimate sites. Always double-check the web address, especially when you’re looking at updates or troubleshooting guides. If the URL feels off, trust your gut and close it.

3 SECURITY AND DATA CHECKS YOU SHOULD DO ONCE A YEAR

Be careful what you copy and paste: Never copy commands from unknown sources into your computer’s terminal or command prompt. That’s a classic malware delivery tactic.

Update the right way: Don’t click random pop-ups to update your software. Always go through your device settings or the app store.

RELATED: Hackers have a sneaky trick to get you to click their fake links – See it in action

Let’s say the worst happens.

A person is pictured using Google on their laptop. (Serene Lee/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Despite being careful, you fell for it. Don’t panic, just act fast to limit the damage:

1. Run a virus scan: Use antivirus software you trust to detect and remove any malware installed on your device. The free stuff isn’t good enough anymore.
2. Change your passwords: Update passwords for any accounts you suspect are compromised. Email and financial accounts should be your first priority. And no password reusing! Every one should be unique. Yes, I know it’s a pain.
3. Monitor your bank accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for unauthorized charges or transactions. Notify your bank immediately if you see anything suspicious. I have the alerts in my banking app turned on so I get a buzz every time something out of the ordinary happens.
4. Check for unusual activity: Look for strange logins or changes in your online accounts, too. Many sites and services have a section in the settings where you can see what devices are logged into your accounts and where they’re coming from.
5. Reinstall your system if necessary: You may need to reset your device or reinstall your operating system. Steps here to complete a factory reset. Please, please back up your data first.

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Imagine being able to turn any object into a Lego masterpiece with just your phone.

Sounds cool, right? 

Well, that’s exactly what Brick My World offers. 

This innovative app is here to make custom Lego creation fun and accessible for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned builder or just getting started. By using advanced artificial intelligence and mobile scanning technology, Brick My World opens up a world of creative possibilities.

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Brick My World app. (Brick My World)

From scan to creation: The effortless Lego building process

The process of creating Lego models with Brick My World is pretty simple. First, you snap a photo of any object using your Android or iPhone. Next, you will brick it, as they call it, with the app transforming the scan into a Lego model. Finally, you can build it by following the detailed instructions generated by the app, bringing your creation to life.

Gone are the days when advanced 3D modeling skills were necessary or when building custom models required painstaking manual design. Brick My World makes custom Lego creation accessible to everyone, regardless of your technical expertise.

Brick My World app. (Brick My World)

A WHOPPING 342,817 LEGO TECHNIC PIECES ARE USED TO BUILD A SPORTS CAR

The technology behind the magic

Brick My World combines several cutting-edge technologies:

Mobile scanning: Utilizes ARCore (Android) and ARKit (iOS) for precise object capture.

Photogrammetry: Creates detailed 3D models from 2D scans.

Voxelization: Converts 3D models into brick-compatible structures.

AI optimization: Refines the model for accuracy and structural integrity.

KURT’S BEST NEW HOLIDAY DEALS

Brick My World app. (Brick My World)

LEGO-LIKE CONSTRUCTION BLOCKS MADE FROM PLASTIC WASTE CAN STAND UP TO NATURE’S FURY 

Endless possibilities

With Brick My World, your creativity knows no bounds. Create a scale model of your house, immortalize your pet in bricks or craft unique souvenirs from your travels. The app handles models of various sizes, from small objects using 500-1,000 bricks to larger creations requiring several thousand pieces.

Creations by Brick My World app. (Brick My World)

WOULD YOU WANT TO CHAT WITH THIS CREEPY-LOOKING LEGO HEAD POWERED BY AI?

Sourcing your bricks

Worried about finding the right pieces? Brick My World has partnered with BrickOwl, an independent Lego marketplace. The app generates a detailed parts list, allowing you to easily source the bricks you need for your custom creation.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Brick My World app. (Brick My World)

The team behind the innovation

Brick My World is the brainchild of a diverse team of Lego enthusiasts and tech innovators. Their combined expertise in software development, AI engineering and UX design has resulted in this revolutionary app.

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The team has ambitious plans for the future, including adding support for non-traditional bricks (plates, slopes, transparent pieces), incorporating wheels and other specialized elements, and expanding the app’s capabilities based on user feedback and technological advancements.

A woman building her creation with Lego bricks. (Brick My World)

The Brick My World Kickstarter campaign

Throughout the Kickstarter campaign, supporters are being offered exclusive early-bird pricing for lifetime access to the premium version of the app, allowing them to be among the first to experience this groundbreaking tool. The funds raised will be instrumental in further developing the app’s features and expanding its capabilities, including the addition of non-traditional bricks and enhanced design options.

The overwhelming support from backers demonstrates a collective desire to make custom Lego creation accessible to all. As Brick My World moves forward, the team is committed to delivering on its promises and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in the world of Lego building. Stay tuned for updates on new features and enhancements as they continue to innovate and inspire creativity in builders everywhere.

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Brick My World app. (Brick My World)

Kurt’s key takeaways

By making the design process accessible to everyone, Brick My World opens up new possibilities for creativity and expression through Lego. Whether you’re a seasoned builder or new to the world of bricks, this app promises to bring your ideas to life in a way that’s both fun and rewarding.

What unique objects would you love to see transformed into Lego creations using the Brick My World app? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:

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