Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems TV Sound Volume Variability - PCM vs Pro-logic vs Dolby Digital

Thank you Gianni that really is useful.

It gets quite close to an explanation and summary of broadcast formats. I now need to assimilate and digest what you have written.

The plan is to understand better what is being transmitted, choose from the limited codecs available to me (if I can) and as you say, select a synthesised surround sound mode. This, latter I already have been doing to a limited extent.

I think we might agree that, based on the amount of interest this post has generated there are more than a few folk with similar problems around the UK.

Thanks again,

Geoff

I have a feeling this has been discussed before but have failed to find it.

I've got our Virgin Media Tivo hooked up to the 861 via an HDMI to optical converter to get DD into the 861 (since virgin disabled the direct optical out).

Unfortunately the adverts (usually in 'stereo'), rendered using the PLII DSP, come out much louder than the DD programs (on Cinema preset). There's sufficient difference that we're constantly adjusting the volume up/down.

Is there any way to easily equalise (or adjust automatically) the volume between PLII and Cinema when the 861 switches between them?

Chris

3 ideas come to mind:

1- You could try the dialog normalization parameter with your DD playback DSP. Maybe make a duplicate preset so you can have one for TV and one for other inputs. You could increase the playback volume to match the DPL?

2- You could tell your Tivo to not playback DD at all- everything would come out as 2.0.

3- You could use the analog outputs- this is really another way of #2 if the Tivo won't allow you to convert everything to 2.0.

Actually here is #4- use analog output for normal TV viewing, but also run the optical into the 861 for the times you want 5.1. Now you have both

Hi Chris,

I found that topic, so have merged your post in to it.

As you will read there is no easy way to resolve. Maybe lobbying parliament to force the broadcasters to normalise the levels.

I have the same problem with a Sky box

Regards,
Carl

In thinking more on this, if it were me, and I actually did have this issue years ago when I lived in a different place, I did what I suggested in #4: analog 2.0 for normal watching and then digital for 5.1 when I wanted it... A little annoying but it worked for me back then.