My HDR is connected to my TV via HDMI. TV is connected to soundbar via optical SPDIF. Volume from TV to soundbar is high but selecting the HDR as the source lowers the volume substantially.
I note a setting on the TV for audio is PCM which the soundbar likes. No such setting on the HDR though.
I also note that the same reduced volume is present with my Humax DTR-T1010 Youview box although slightly higher level than the HDR.
With the TV audio set to use external speakers, (kills the TV internal speakers), I have to wind the HDR and Youview volumes up to Max to get a reasonable sound level from the soundbar but could do with more volume at certain times. Then, switch to TV only and I am blasted out of my chair.
Any help appreciated.
J

The TVs that I have used (Sony and Samsung) that have HDMI inputs have had individual volume offsets for each seperate HDMI port, scart, AV and TV tuner. From what you describe I suspect that your TV tuner's volume offset is set to maximum within the TV's sound menu. Even if this hasn't what has happened, your TV will probably have the abiliy to adjust the various sources' volumes relative to each other.

You're supposed to have the (rather stupid) volume controls on the Humax boxes set to maximum - and use your TV or sound bar volume controls.

It's a really crazy 'feature' having volume controls on the boxes - it's complicated for the 'normal' user to understand, and causes loads of service calls.

Thanks for the replies.
I have set the TV volume levels and other settings and those settings are then kept the same for each input. Picture settings do allow different levels for each input.

We use the HDR remote to control the TV and the soundbar remote is only suitable for occasional setting up. In any case, even using the soundbar remote with the other inputs at max, when switching to TV only, the volume is still much higher.

J

The Foxsat-HDR does have an option to force all channel output to pcm.

Menu - Settings - TV Setup - Dolby Digital Set to off

Adjust the volume level of the Foxsat box itself to match your other kit..

Thereafter use the volume control of whatever you are using as a audio amplifier (TV or Soundbar)

Thanks for that Graham. I found that setting and disabled Dolby. Trouble is that there is only just enough volume available on my two Humax boxes with the soundbar turned up full. The TV is massively louder ........ and my DVD connected by SCART is also loud.

J

Did you turn up the Humax box volume using it's own remote control as per my post ?

I haven't a clue about the Youview box as never had one.

Yes - the HDR volume is what I use and it's adequate most of the time at 100%. But it nowhere near approaches the volume of the TV. When on HDR input the soundbar is at max. too.

Youview box has the same symptoms re sound as the HDR

J

Strange, no issues with my AV amplifier which has 4 Humax boxes connected. A LG Blu-ray player has similar volume when playing cd's as well.

Have you tried plugging the optical lead from the TV into the back of the Humax? Just as a test to see what, if any, difference that makes.

If the optical out of the Humax is similar in volume to the TV then that implies there is some issue with either the HDMI out of the Humax or the passthrough from the HDMI in to Optical out on the TV.

Also what make and model of soundbar and TV do you have? Might help with proposing solutions if we know the beasties we are dealing with

Difficult to change SPDIF lead at the mo. but will try this later. Telly is Sammy PE43H4500 soundbar is Maxell MXSB-252.
J

If this is the soundbar...

http://uk.maxell.eu/en/products/maxe...b-252-571.aspx

then another option would be to connect the Humax boxes directly to the soundbar HDMI inputs rather than the telly.

That might make a difference. You will then need to run a HDMI from the soundbar out to the TV to get pictures on the TV. Plus the soundbar now takes over source selection from the TV. The soundbar also supports Audio Return Channel (ARC) on the HDMI out. Can't find out if the TV supports ARC on either of it's HDMI ins but if it does then that means you only need the one cable between the two and can ditch the optical cable. If the TV does not have ARC you'll need both HDMI and optical cables.

But if that cures the audio level imbalance might be worth the hassle of rewiring the system.

No ARC on this tv and the soundbar remote is terrible. I would not want to use it daily.
Will try the connetion changes though eventually.
J

I have this soundbar. If you go through the soundbar to the TV the lip synch is a right pain. I go to the TV with HDMI, then HDMI ARC from TV to soundbar (no lip synch problems). There is the slight difference in volume between HD and SD channels though, just adjust using the soundbar volume (I have a Logitech remote, so don't need to use the equipment remotes).

Thanks for that Paul. I note with this soundbar that the auto on/off is not operating although it did earlier today. Is there a setting to enable that? Left all equipment off for ages - soundbar still on- turned it off.......turned on all three sources, soundbar still off. ??????
J

My one has always gone into standby when not in use (which is quite rare!), and comes on automatically when a sound source is picked up.
That said my remote usually turns it off and on when turning TV and other stuff off or on.
Check whether it is faulty.

A reset of the Maxell sorted out the auto on/off - power disconnect and re-connect.
J

Good to know.