HD Ch5 HD Sound issues

huffnpuff · 08-03-2011, 01:09

Hi,
the last couple of nights I have been trying to watch various films on CH5 HD and have ended up switching to the SD version. The problem is that the dialogue volume is so low that I have to turn up my TV volume to over half way to hear it. Then there is an excruciating increase in volume for film sound effects.

This doesn't seem to happen on other HD channels anywhere near as much, apart from the Adverts, which are louder on all channels (particularly SKY1,2,3 SD or HD).

My TV is a Panasonic Plasma connected via HDMI to a V+ box. I have sound ambience on (TV) and HDMI override off (V+)

I have to watch with finger poised above mute, not exactly a relaxing experience

Is it my settings or is it the channel ?

mersey70 · 08-03-2011, 01:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by huffnpuff

Hi,
the last couple of nights I have been trying to watch various films on CH5 HD and have ended up switching to the SD version. The problem is that the dialogue volume is so low that I have to turn up my TV volume to over half way to hear it. Then there is an excruciating increase in volume for film sound effects.

This doesn't seem to happen on other HD channels anywhere near as much, apart from the Adverts, which are louder on all channels (particularly SKY1,2,3 SD or HD).

My TV is a Panasonic Plasma connected via HDMI to a V+ box. I have sound ambience on (TV) and HDMI override off (V+)

I have to watch with finger poised above mute, not exactly a relaxing experience

Is it my settings or is it the channel ?

Like a lot of people some HD channels sound 'quieter' to me, however in my experience not much so.

Channel 5 HD seems ok here, the audio level is pretty much the same as Channel 5, including dialogue. I have my TV set to 'auto volume' which sorts out the age old problem of adverts having a higher audio level but even with this off there is not a huge difference when ads on Channel 5 HD appear.

blackthorn · 08-03-2011, 06:25

Mine is the same, I`ve got an Lg and I cannot watch ch5 hd because of it.

Tali · 08-03-2011, 08:12

I've noticed a similar thing on E4HD and FX HD. I thought it was my amp, but anything that uses 5.1 seems to have very quiet dialogue but loud music.

SILVER SURFER · 08-03-2011, 15:55

Yes I agree some of the HD channels do need the volume whacked up to be able to hear them properly and I have good hearing. What's worse is when you forget to lower it again before switching channels. The resulting trauma can result in anything from rattled fillings to a coronary!

Digital Fanatic · 08-03-2011, 16:30

I think we need a sticky about volume levels on HD channels

The volume is lower on HD channels, due to the greater dynamic range of sound of 5.1 audio. Think of your DVD or Bluray player, which will have lower sound compared to SD broadcast tv.

Tali · 08-03-2011, 18:34

I'm happy about the overall general volume being lower and understand why. But, the music, which inevitably comes through the surround and left/right speakers seems to be a lot louder than the dialogue and quite frequently drowns it out.

The same is true if the audio is past straight through to the TV

Kirk64 · 08-03-2011, 19:35

Were they using Dolby 2.0? that's very quiet and has to be turned up way too high on my amp resulting in heart failure when it reverts to either 5.1 or standard pro logic??

DaMacFunkin · 08-03-2011, 19:47

Can you not just increase the volume/change the size of your center... or even use dynamic compression

Tali · 09-03-2011, 09:27

They were 5.1

Upping the centre volume is an option, but it doesn'a ffect all channels, so don't want to do that if I can help it. I'll leave it alone for now and will have a play if things don't improve.

If only I knew how to use all the features on my amp