avr volume levels - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

stevedave1138 · 2008-11-13, 10:49 PM

I've posted before regarding my issues with my Pioneer AVR VSX-816.

I have another issue, with volume levels.
When watching TV, these is a massive volume difference between audio on SD channels (a decent volume is about -45db) but when you switch to an HD channel, it is almost like it is muted,and I must turn it to approx -30db to -20db to get the same level. Even then, I find the HD channels,while mostly in 5.1, don't sound quite right. Just like when you have a TV's volume turned down too low,but crank up some external speakers,it's louder,but not right...Anyone catch my meaning? Its also a nuisance,as the AVR is slow on volume changes via remote,not to mention how it sounds when you change back to SD programming at -20db's!!!!

DCT is Motorola DCT-6200, connected via digital coax. Have looked through the AVR manual,but didn't see where I can change levels to accomodate this? Any advice?

Pioneer VSX-816
speakers are BOSE 201 FL and FR, Paradigm Cinema 90 for SBL and SBR, and SL and SR, Pardaign 10"sub and Paradigm CC.

Thanks

PlaceHolder · 2008-11-14, 08:28 AM

Hmm... I don't have my 9242 hooked up to a AVR, so I don't encounter these kinds of problems beyond the usual different levels on different channels (not as bad as you're implying.)

What I wonder, though, is if you've actually got the 5.1 system hooked up? SD TV is, while stereo, designed mostly for one channel of dialogue. 5.1 is really designed for movies, and thus has effects channels. I have always found the levels on movies to be much less than the levels on SD TV. I presume they deliberately mix things differently for movies to achieve a certain effect, and don't emphasize the dialogue channels as much because most systems can be set to the owners preference in this regard.

So, the things to try: Can you force the system to output only stereo? Can you raise the levels of your centre channel so that it provides more output when receiving a 5.1 signal? Can you turn of the 5.1 in your STB except for the times when you want to watch a movie?

BadLag · 2008-11-14, 10:30 AM

I experience the same thing, it has nothing to do with your AVR, it is a combination of the television station and the TV service provider....I would lean towards the stations broadcast and whoever created the content.....a good example of this is HDNet concerts on the weekend, I have to crank my AVR to hear it......I think it is the original recording levels and if the producers actually listened on a surround sound system, maybe they would notice this and work to correct it....so I have found, every station and sd/hd content has to be adjusted on the avr for the best sound....it is really a pain

stevedave1138 · 2008-11-14, 10:43 AM

I agree the problem does likely lie with the TV signals. I also seem to watch 3-4 channels regularly that have the most extreme level changes. TSN in SD is cranked way up it seems,while Movie Central HD and Fox HD have lower levels than other HD channels. After listening to the louder SD channnels, I think my ears have trouble adjusting to the lower level sounds,and hearing the difference in the quality. But it is a pain.

Thanks for your responses.

NefCanuck · 2008-11-14, 10:54 AM

I ran into this same issue and yes it's not your equipment, it's the audio levels on the other end causing your issue.

Since there is no standard (that I am aware of anyways) for broadcast TV audio levels you get this "yo yo" effect going from channel to channel and mono, to stereo, to DD 5.1.

Several receivers claim to have the ability to compensate for this but I've never seen a 100% solution.

NefCanuck

2008-11-13, 10:49 PM	#1
stevedave1138 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 53	avr volume levels I've posted before regarding my issues with my Pioneer AVR VSX-816. I have another issue, with volume levels. When watching TV, these is a massive volume difference between audio on SD channels (a decent volume is about -45db) but when you switch to an HD channel, it is almost like it is muted,and I must turn it to approx -30db to -20db to get the same level. Even then, I find the HD channels,while mostly in 5.1, don't sound quite right. Just like when you have a TV's volume turned down too low,but crank up some external speakers,it's louder,but not right...Anyone catch my meaning? Its also a nuisance,as the AVR is slow on volume changes via remote,not to mention how it sounds when you change back to SD programming at -20db's!!!! DCT is Motorola DCT-6200, connected via digital coax. Have looked through the AVR manual,but didn't see where I can change levels to accomodate this? Any advice? Pioneer VSX-816 speakers are BOSE 201 FL and FR, Paradigm Cinema 90 for SBL and SBR, and SL and SR, Pardaign 10"sub and Paradigm CC. Thanks

2008-11-14, 08:28 AM	#2
PlaceHolder Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 248	Stereo vs 5.1? Hmm... I don't have my 9242 hooked up to a AVR, so I don't encounter these kinds of problems beyond the usual different levels on different channels (not as bad as you're implying.) What I wonder, though, is if you've actually got the 5.1 system hooked up? SD TV is, while stereo, designed mostly for one channel of dialogue. 5.1 is really designed for movies, and thus has effects channels. I have always found the levels on movies to be much less than the levels on SD TV. I presume they deliberately mix things differently for movies to achieve a certain effect, and don't emphasize the dialogue channels as much because most systems can be set to the owners preference in this regard. So, the things to try: Can you force the system to output only stereo? Can you raise the levels of your centre channel so that it provides more output when receiving a 5.1 signal? Can you turn of the 5.1 in your STB except for the times when you want to watch a movie?

2008-11-14, 10:30 AM	#3
BadLag Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 245	I experience the same thing, it has nothing to do with your AVR, it is a combination of the television station and the TV service provider....I would lean towards the stations broadcast and whoever created the content.....a good example of this is HDNet concerts on the weekend, I have to crank my AVR to hear it......I think it is the original recording levels and if the producers actually listened on a surround sound system, maybe they would notice this and work to correct it....so I have found, every station and sd/hd content has to be adjusted on the avr for the best sound....it is really a pain __________________ Sony 46XBR3, STR-DE898, PS3 60GB, JBL fronts, Bose rears, Polk sub/center, HK-DVD22, BellTVHD, Harmony1

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2008-11-14, 10:43 AM	#4
stevedave1138 Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 53	I agree the problem does likely lie with the TV signals. I also seem to watch 3-4 channels regularly that have the most extreme level changes. TSN in SD is cranked way up it seems,while Movie Central HD and Fox HD have lower levels than other HD channels. After listening to the louder SD channnels, I think my ears have trouble adjusting to the lower level sounds,and hearing the difference in the quality. But it is a pain. Thanks for your responses.

2008-11-14, 10:54 AM	#5
NefCanuck Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 256	I ran into this same issue and yes it's not your equipment, it's the audio levels on the other end causing your issue. Since there is no standard (that I am aware of anyways) for broadcast TV audio levels you get this "yo yo" effect going from channel to channel and mono, to stereo, to DD 5.1. Several receivers claim to have the ability to compensate for this but I've never seen a 100% solution. NefCanuck