Digitally Filtering Out the Drone of the World Cup

qubezz writes "World Cup soccer fans may think a hornet's nest has infiltrated their TVs. However the buzz that is the background soundtrack of the South African-hosted games comes from tens of thousands of plastic horns called vuvuzelas, that are South Africa's version of ringing cowbells or throwing rats. It looks like the horns won't be banned anytime soon though. A savvy German hacker, 'Tube,' discovered that the horn sound can be effectively filtered out by applying a couple of digital notch filters to the audio at the frequencies the horn produces (another summary in English). Now it looks like even broadcasters like the the BBC and others are considering using such filters on their broadcasts."

Comments

I dont need it.

[Anonymous Coward]

My TV already has a digital filter. Its called the off switch.

Re:I dont need it.

[Anonymous Coward]

Think of what he is using to operate the switch, buddy.

I'd rather not. And don't call me buddy, pal.

Re:I dont need it.

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

My TV already has a digital filter. Its called the off switch.

So when you get angry, do you flip it off?

Re:I dont need it.

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

No need to turn it off, just change the channel to a real sport.

Heh what do Slashdotters consider a real sport? Pod Races?

Re:I dont need it.

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't call me pal, friend.

Re:I dont need it.

[Anonymous Coward]

I have a better idea: change the channel to something that isn't a sport at all. Spectator sports are a complete waste of time.

I love it when Slashdot posts tell me something is a complete waste of time.

Re:I dont need it.

[camperdave]

Sport?! This isn't mere sport, it's the World Cup man!

You say that as if it were cricket.

vuvuzela website

[LowG1974]

Having not heard the sound of the vuvuzelas, I click on the link to their website. Cleverly, they listed these ALTERNATIVE Uses for the VUVUZELA:

1. Cricket bat.
2. Hearing Aid.
3. Petrol funnel.
4. Water sprayer. (force trumpet side down into water)
5. Drinking funnel. Nuff said.
6. 4G mobile communication
7. Walking stick,
8. Light saber. (Just insert a torch) as seen on Starwars...
9. Jousting Stick (simply insert one into another.)
10. And of coarse... supporting any team/thing you like...

Re:Too much work

[SomeJoel]

The human brain is actually pretty good at filtering out noise if you give it a chance.

Well, that and progressive hearing loss.

What are the chances of that?

[DigitAl56K]

Chatroulette and sports broadcasters all trying to filter out the horn on the same day?

Re:Too much work

[D Ninja]

What?

Re:There are only three sports

[Hognoxious]

A guy on holiday in Spain, feels somewhat hungry, so goes into the village restaurant. Gets the menu and after some careful study, orders the paella. Quite tasty it was too, but there was an absolutely delicious smell coming from the next table, where one of the locals, Carlos, was eating.

He calls over the waiter, and in his best holiday Spanish asks: "Tell me, what is that dish there, the one that smells so fantastic."

The Waiter replies: Ah yes, that is made from certain rather delicate areas of prime freshly killed bull. It is then marinated in our secret sauce mix, and garnished with fresh herbs, and just a touch of garlic, with our special red wine dribbling.

"Sounds superb, may I have some please.?"

"For you sir, as a special favour. But we have none left today. Come back tomorrow, an hour or so after the bullfight finishes"

The guy arrives on cue, his meal is ready, piping hot and tastes out of this world.

He calls the waiter over again, tips him hugely, sends his compliments to the chef, but asks. "But tell me, why was my portion so much smaller than the one Carlos had yesterday"?"

The waiter shrugged and replied "Senor, sometimes the bull wins...".