Panasonic Viera optical output?

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grolschie

597 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Topic # 126858 22-Jul-2013 13:36

Hello.

Anyone tried using the SPDIF/optical-out on one of these? We bought a new 50" E6 Viera in the weekend, and I have noticed that the sound volume levels on HE-AAC channels is much quieter than the Dolby Digital channels audio (bitstreamed) via SPDIF compared to our Hyundai PVR box. The HT receiver has to be turned up for these HE-AAC channels. The onboard apps are louder than the HE-AAC also. The Volume Correction options don't seem to affect the SPDIF as far as I can tell.

The HE-AAC channels and Dolby Digital channels sound similar through the TV speakers though.

I phoned Panasonic and was asked if my amp didn't support ARC (HDMI), and was told that the TV was probably performing to FV specs - as opposed to my non-certified box (or something to that effect).

Anyone try the SPDIF on these? Thanks.

Dunnersfella

3468 posts

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Reply # 863673 22-Jul-2013 15:41

There's every chance that Panasonic's techs are correct...
What AVR are you running?

grolschie

597 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 35

Reply # 863727 22-Jul-2013 16:40

Hi. Thanks. It's just an old Onkyo HT-R430 which works absolutely fine with the optical output from my Hyundai AH3110 (set to bitstream Dolby Digital and I'm sure it sends PCM for the everything else). It works sweet with the SPDIF coax from the Blu-Ray player also. Just not the TV tuner currently.

Seems strange that the Hyundai seems to do it nicely, but the FV certified TV doesn't. Everything else is fine over optical, even the audio from the apps which comes through the optical as PCM (presumably) is plenty loud enough.

I have been advised to go into the store and see if they can replicate this on a store model.

B1GGLZ

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Reply # 863752 22-Jul-2013 17:45

I wouldn't worry.
Our Sony TV to our old Sony amp (no HDMI in/out) via optical gives differing audio levels too. The Dolby Digital channels are much quieter than the others and Choice TV nearly blows us out of the room. TV3 is usually louder than TV1.
The levels from our Panasonic recorder via optical are different as well.
Most of the Sky channels via RCA to TV and optical to amp are fairly quiet except for some like Vibe and UKTV that seem really loud. Even the audio on History varies a lot between different programs.
Seems to be just different audio levels for different devices and brands.
They all seem to be the same or similar level through the TV speakers though.
Maybe with a new amp and everything connected by HDMI it would be different?

grolschie

597 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 35

Reply # 863759 22-Jul-2013 18:03

Hi. Thanks for that. If I were to upgrade amp at some stage, would I have the same problem but with HDMI instead? Or does the "Volume Correction" setting work with HDMI?

Oblivian

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Reply # 863778 22-Jul-2013 19:01

Seems to be a common thing :) my ST50 does the same. Prime and FOUR are very quiet in comparison. Try sitting on one of the channels and launch the 'vierra tools' menu bar and go into the media player. Listen to the volume change for a split second..

There seems to be no normalisation going on. So its up to the stations to fix :/

grolschie

597 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 35

Reply # 864740 23-Jul-2013 23:19

Thanks guys.