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steveh · 10-01-2014, 10:55

The V+ and Tivo will convert the MPEG Layer 2 audio of the SD channels to PCM for your amp unlike the Dolby Digital signal that they will pass through, and it's not unlikely the different decoders they use could result in different volume levels in the V+ and Tivo.

If your setup is defaulting to Dolby Pro Logic II when it has a stereo signal then the centre channel will come through at a higher volume than for a natively 5.1 mastered programme. It does seem to vary a little between decoders though how much the difference is.

TV programming was traditionally mastered to different volume standards than cinema and channels don't always match up different sources well. Back in the days when everything was mono or stereo some channels took the cheaper way out and used to rely on limiters to keep volumes consistent, but that kills the point of home cinema sound. Some of the music channels also used to process the audio like radio stations do for maximum loudness, don't know if they still do.

10-01-2014, 10:55	#6
steveh Inactive Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 272	Re: Tivo Sound Volume on HD Channels The V+ and Tivo will convert the MPEG Layer 2 audio of the SD channels to PCM for your amp unlike the Dolby Digital signal that they will pass through, and it's not unlikely the different decoders they use could result in different volume levels in the V+ and Tivo. If your setup is defaulting to Dolby Pro Logic II when it has a stereo signal then the centre channel will come through at a higher volume than for a natively 5.1 mastered programme. It does seem to vary a little between decoders though how much the difference is. TV programming was traditionally mastered to different volume standards than cinema and channels don't always match up different sources well. Back in the days when everything was mono or stereo some channels took the cheaper way out and used to rely on limiters to keep volumes consistent, but that kills the point of home cinema sound. Some of the music channels also used to process the audio like radio stations do for maximum loudness, don't know if they still do.