music too loud

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Gilco2

1556 posts

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#82145 22-Apr-2011 06:07

I have my setup pretty much how I want now but. Watching movies the music is always too loud so I sit there with remote in hand and decrease volume when music plays and increase when people talk. Is there any settings to normalize things more.
I have Sony 26BX300 tv connected through HDMI cable. On computer Windows 7, playback device is set as Sony Tv and sound is set as stereo.
On the TV I have audio as Dynamic. sound as stereo and variable on one. I have tried various settings without success. It has graphic equalizer, and I have tried various settings but dont really know what I am doing with those.

It is annoying having to sit and constantly adjust volume

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

illicit

553 posts

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#461522 22-Apr-2011 09:37

So your using the TV speakers? No sound system?

If so - change the audio setting - Dynamic isn't great - try the others, one of them will suit.

Best thing would be to get a proper sound system, as the TV speakers are just physically too small to sound any good.

1080p

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#462220 25-Apr-2011 17:04

I am assuming you are passing AC-3 to your television? You can thank the wonderful engineers over at Dolby Labs for that.

Apparently emphasising booming sound effects equals a better sound track no matter the trade off.

I haven't figured a solution to this with my XBMC media player either so I just irritate the neighbours :P

Batman

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#462224 25-Apr-2011 17:18

Due to your set up the Only way is via your movie player app.

Go to options or preference .

Under audio there May be a way to 'nominalize' sound or set ''night mode' to max. Or minimize dynamic range / set to loud environment...

Good luck

Ps let me know your options menu options and I can explain what each setting might do

Gilco2

1556 posts

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#462271 25-Apr-2011 20:55

Hi, settings on Sony TV are sound mode. gives standard / dynamic and clear voice. Balance. Intelligent Volume on/off. Surround On/simulated stereo/off. and Audio Out. Variable/Fixed.

Audio on computer is playback device- SonyTV. Only option is stereo cant change it. And Full range speakes where you can choose front left and right or surround speakers.

I am wondering if I got some Logitech 5.1 speakers from dick smith whether that would fix the problem. I know they wouldnt be marvelous but they might be adequate since the room is not large. The computer has the 6 audio ports on back where you can have stereo 4/5.1 or 7.1 sound. The specs are in my signature.

Thanks.

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

Batman

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#462277 25-Apr-2011 21:20

TV - intelligent volume ON. surround ON.

Computer: WHICH PROGrAM DO YOU USE!!!

there is Usually an audio option - for example windows media player: under "enhancements" click Quiet mode ON, choose LITTLE DIFFERENCE.
powerdvd etc will (the newer ones anyway) have similar audio options to minimise dynamic range.

Batman

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#462278 25-Apr-2011 21:22

the problem which too much processing is your audio quality goes down the drain - BUT in life you must choose between the lesser of 2 evils.

good luck

ChrisNZL

309 posts

Ultimate Geek

#462294 25-Apr-2011 22:49

I am wondering if I got some Logitech 5.1 speakers from dick smith whether that would fix the problem. I know they wouldnt be marvelous but they might be adequate since the room is not large. The computer has the 6 audio ports on back where you can have stereo 4/5.1 or 7.1 sound. The specs are in my signature.

Even just a 2.1 speaker set would improve your sound tenfold. Just plug it into your TV's headphone jack, and you'll be able to use your TV remote to adjust the volume still.

Inbuilt TV speakers by themselves are usually always horrible, no matter what sound setting you choose.

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richms

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#462318 26-Apr-2011 03:28

There is an enhancement in the windows 7 mixer to normalize the audio, open the full mixer, and then click the leftmost icon (above the master slider that inexplicably changes all the others as well)

Go to enhancements and it should be in there. Its Loudness Equalization on one of my sound devices, and its called something else on the USB device. Both do the same thing which is a pretty average attempt at some auto gain, with the usual problems of it bringing up noise during quiet scenes etc.

However, if your audio player bypasses windows mixer etc then it will have no effect.

If you are playing actual DVDs, try switching the language track to the other english one, since they usually mix the plain stereo one to not have the same dynamics as the proper audio.

Richard rich.ms

Gilco2

1556 posts

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#462329 26-Apr-2011 07:54

richms: There is an enhancement in the windows 7 mixer to normalize the audio, open the full mixer, and then click the leftmost icon (above the master slider that inexplicably changes all the others as well)

Go to enhancements and it should be in there. Its Loudness Equalization on one of my sound devices, and its called something else on the USB device. Both do the same thing which is a pretty average attempt at some auto gain, with the usual problems of it bringing up noise during quiet scenes etc.

However, if your audio player bypasses windows mixer etc then it will have no effect.

If you are playing actual DVDs, try switching the language track to the other english one, since they usually mix the plain stereo one to not have the same dynamics as the proper audio.

Hi, the only enhancement I have found like that is Loudness Equalization. That works to a certain extent. Like if watching live tv in media centre the announcer is instantly increased in volume, but it also causes distortion. Watching a movie it definitley is much better and the dialogue still has distortion but no where as bad. I guess I could get used to it. Thanks

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

sbiddle

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#462331 26-Apr-2011 08:08

The easiest way to avoid the problem is to have a 5.1 sound system. You then avoid the issue of having to downmix to 2ch stereo.

toyonut

1508 posts

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#463074 27-Apr-2011 16:58

I finally realized that 5.1 puts all the voice through the center channel so if you do get a basic 5.1 setup, you can adjust the volume of the center channel and boost the voice that way, otherwise you have to just play with equalizers and tv and media center settings and hope for the best. Our Sony TV does have an option for clear voice which helps a bit.

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Biggles69

83 posts

Master Geek

#463308 28-Apr-2011 11:33

I had the same problem, try ac3Filter (free to download) this runs in the background and intercepts the ac3 audio you can then use this to control the 5.1 mixdown of ac3 audio, just adjust the volume of the centre channel (voice) and turn down the side and rear channels till it sounds right
just a note, if you are playing avi's that have already been mixed down to 2.0 you can't change the volume of the centre channel (cause it won't exist anymore).