Sound levels Sky box, DVD, movies

colin_c · 31-12-2006, 19:35

Hi

Not sure which forum this should be in but I'll give it a go here.

I have a pretty basic setup comprising; Panasonic 26" HD LCD TV, Sky HD box and Panasonic DVD/HD recorder, just using the TV speakers. The question is, why is the volume seemingly so muted but only when viewing films, If I use normal Analogue, DVB or Sky channels (except movies) I set the volume on the TV at about 25% and all is generally OK. Try a film either on DVD or from Sky channels and I need the sound set to at least 60% to get the same relative volume.

I have tried various settings on the HD box and the TV but I really cannot see that this is the issue as these settings affect all sources. DVD's have always been like this I think and I always put it down to the DVD player but now I have subscribed to Sky movies it seems that they have the same volume issue. If you do not set the volume down at the end of the movie the sound level on normal TV is amazingly high.

Is this normal? I cannot really see a way around this so I guess it must be but I would be grateful if anyone can confirm this or suggest a remedy,

Thanks

michaelvartan · 31-12-2006, 21:08

Your dvd and Sky Movies all play with a Dolby Digital track.

DD uses low sound levels to enable high frequency levels without distortion.

Thats why other Sky channels are fine.

You may find that Disney Channel is the same.

There's nothing you can do about it.

Best bet is to get an amp and speakers to make good use of the DD sound

colin_c · 02-01-2007, 08:26

Thanks for the info

That at least clarifies the situation, it does not solve the volume difference issue that the other half keeps moaning about.

Unfortunately, the extra amp plus wires etc would in no way go anywhere towards placating the aforementioned person either. I did sort of suggest it .......................... but that is another story!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

chrisjr · 02-01-2007, 10:09

It's actually down to the audio signal processing employed by the broadcasters and DVD mastering facilities.

In general the broadcasters tend to use various flavours of audio signal processors to compress the dynamic range of the audio to varying degrees. What this means is that the difference in perceived volume between the loudest and quietest parts of the programme is reduced making the average volume seem higher.

A DVD film however will more closely resemble the dynamics of the original cinema film. Therefore it will most likely have a greater difference in volume between the load and quiet bits which makes the overall average volume appear lower.

It is also quite possible that Sky use less audio processing on the film channels than they do on the others. Especially if they broadcast the original digital surround sound track unaltered.

Short of buying your own Optimod processor (a bit OTT - not to mention expensive - for the home

) and compressing the DVD sound track to match the TV sound, there is very little that you can do about it.

niall campbell · 02-01-2007, 10:57

that is the reason when an advert comes on the tv it is louder than the programme you are watching to grab your attention

31-12-2006, 19:35	#1
colin_c Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fleet, Hampshire Posts: 69	Sound levels Sky box, DVD, movies Hi Not sure which forum this should be in but I'll give it a go here. I have a pretty basic setup comprising; Panasonic 26" HD LCD TV, Sky HD box and Panasonic DVD/HD recorder, just using the TV speakers. The question is, why is the volume seemingly so muted but only when viewing films, If I use normal Analogue, DVB or Sky channels (except movies) I set the volume on the TV at about 25% and all is generally OK. Try a film either on DVD or from Sky channels and I need the sound set to at least 60% to get the same relative volume. I have tried various settings on the HD box and the TV but I really cannot see that this is the issue as these settings affect all sources. DVD's have always been like this I think and I always put it down to the DVD player but now I have subscribed to Sky movies it seems that they have the same volume issue. If you do not set the volume down at the end of the movie the sound level on normal TV is amazingly high. Is this normal? I cannot really see a way around this so I guess it must be but I would be grateful if anyone can confirm this or suggest a remedy, Thanks

02-01-2007, 10:57	#5
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	that is the reason when an advert comes on the tv it is louder than the programme you are watching to grab your attention Last edited by niall campbell : 02-01-2007 at 11:01.

31-12-2006, 21:08	#2
michaelvartan Banned User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 429	Your dvd and Sky Movies all play with a Dolby Digital track. DD uses low sound levels to enable high frequency levels without distortion. Thats why other Sky channels are fine. You may find that Disney Channel is the same. There's nothing you can do about it. Best bet is to get an amp and speakers to make good use of the DD sound

02-01-2007, 08:26	#3
colin_c Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fleet, Hampshire Posts: 69	Thanks for the info That at least clarifies the situation, it does not solve the volume difference issue that the other half keeps moaning about. Unfortunately, the extra amp plus wires etc would in no way go anywhere towards placating the aforementioned person either. I did sort of suggest it .......................... but that is another story!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks

02-01-2007, 10:09	#4
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	It's actually down to the audio signal processing employed by the broadcasters and DVD mastering facilities. In general the broadcasters tend to use various flavours of audio signal processors to compress the dynamic range of the audio to varying degrees. What this means is that the difference in perceived volume between the loudest and quietest parts of the programme is reduced making the average volume seem higher. A DVD film however will more closely resemble the dynamics of the original cinema film. Therefore it will most likely have a greater difference in volume between the load and quiet bits which makes the overall average volume appear lower. It is also quite possible that Sky use less audio processing on the film channels than they do on the others. Especially if they broadcast the original digital surround sound track unaltered. Short of buying your own Optimod processor (a bit OTT - not to mention expensive - for the home ) and compressing the DVD sound track to match the TV sound, there is very little that you can do about it.

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Sound levels Sky box, DVD, movies