diff --git a/neurotic/gui/config.py b/neurotic/gui/config.py
index f2b1d15..4cb05f1 100644
--- a/neurotic/gui/config.py
+++ b/neurotic/gui/config.py
@@ -23,6 +23,11 @@
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+# raise the threshold for PyAV messages printed to the console from
+# warning to critical
+logging.getLogger('libav').setLevel(logging.CRITICAL)
+
+
 pq.mN = pq.UnitQuantity('millinewton', pq.N/1e3, symbol = 'mN');  # define millinewton
 
 
diff --git a/neurotic/gui/standalone.py b/neurotic/gui/standalone.py
index 28ce437..2888669 100644
--- a/neurotic/gui/standalone.py
+++ b/neurotic/gui/standalone.py
@@ -313,10 +313,19 @@ def toggle_debug_logging(self, checked):
         if checked:
             logger.parent.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
             logger.debug('Debug messages enabled')
+
+            # lower the threshold for PyAV messages printed to the console from
+            # critical to warning
+            logging.getLogger('libav').setLevel(logging.WARNING)
+
         else:
             logger.debug('Disabling debug messages')
             logger.parent.setLevel(default_log_level)
 
+            # raise the threshold for PyAV messages printed to the console from
+            # warning to critical
+            logging.getLogger('libav').setLevel(logging.CRITICAL)
+
     def view_log_file(self):
         """
         Open the log file in an editor.
diff --git a/neurotic/scripts.py b/neurotic/scripts.py
index b2eda3f..01f6d0e 100644
--- a/neurotic/scripts.py
+++ b/neurotic/scripts.py
@@ -65,6 +65,11 @@ def parse_args(argv):
 
     if args.debug:
         logger.parent.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+
+        # lower the threshold for PyAV messages printed to the console from
+        # critical to warning
+        logging.getLogger('libav').setLevel(logging.WARNING)
+
         if not args.launch_example_notebook:
             # show only if Jupyter won't be launched, since the setting will
             # not carry over into the kernel started by Jupyter