Set top box volume issue.......

30-04-2004, 10:22

Am I the only one to think that the volume pot on these boxes is poo?
It is even more noticeable when I switch from NTL to normal analogue TV, getting a sharp dig in the ribs by the misses telling me to turn it down !
It's not my fault I tell her, well, NTL get away with it, so why not me ? .
When I questioned an engineer who had come out to check things over, he just replied that there was nothing that could be done about it.
I basically got the impression that this was what I was getting with this brilliant digital television, I am getting sound that is not as dynamic as NICAM !
Are we going backwards on our advance in technology?
So, anyway, anyone have any suggestions? was the engineer bluffing about not being able to do anything, apart from the obvious, cancel the television aswell!
All suggestions gratefully received.

30-04-2004, 10:41

STB volume is much lower than analogue for me too. Interesting thing i've noticed is certain digital channels are louder than others too which is really annoying.

30-04-2004, 10:51

That's right Gary, I have noticed that too, you can flick from one cable channel to another, and the volume can be different.

It has got to the stage where, if a good film I want to watch is on one of the beeb channels I pipe the video through my amplifier & speakers.

hornchurchman · 30-04-2004, 10:59

I have the same problem as Gary.
Any ways to fix it without calling ntl out?

Flubflow · 30-04-2004, 11:28

The difference in volume between cable tv channels has always been there, even with analogue. I moaned about it years ago but I was beating my head against a brick wall. It's the responsibility of the individual channel broadcasters apparently.
If terrestrial BBC1,2,ITV1,C4,C5 can pretty much normalise their relative volumes within a reasonable range then why cant everyone else. What is inexcuseable is the massive increase in volume you sometimes get within a channel when the adverts start. I know sometimes the adverts just "seem" to be louder due to the compression and other techniques they use but many times they really are louder.
I've often thought of building a simple audio limiter circuit and sticking it between the stb and the tv to control those hideously loud adverts in a really quiet late movie.

Taf · 01-05-2004, 01:38

I get it in the neck if I nip out for a drink of water during the ads and the sudden volume increase disturbs the rest of the family....

I thought all transmissions would go through some sort of AGC control?

Being in an area wher I can recieve both Wales and England transmissions... I have noticed that the Wales programes are MUCH louder than the English ones.... maybe they have more deaf ( hear impaired) listeners?

Keytops · 01-05-2004, 02:25

Try watching the sci-fi channel sometime without the TV remote handy - they play the films etc. at about half the volume of the adverts, and if you don't catch the mute button before the adverts start or if you get board with yet another of their repeats and you change channel you get your eardrums blasted out.

...very annoying....

seaneeboy · 04-05-2004, 14:05

E4 on thursday nights are quite a trauma - not just for the brilliant-but-sometimes-a-little-TOO-authentic ER, but the sponsorships bits, the zippy-about-e4-logos, then the adverts, the trails for other programms, not to mention the aspect ratios leaping about from one section to the next - I'm glad i'm not eppileptic, the assault on my senses is fairly harsh!

SMHarman · 04-05-2004, 14:08

The Will and Grace 'Blossom Hill' Guitar riff is particularly loud on Living*

r-type · 03-02-2005, 23:29

Evenin' all,

I'm new to these forums and registered to try and sort this problem out. I've read in other forums about acessing the engineers menu by pulling the plug and plugging back in whilst holding Up & Down on the STB controls (Pace Di4000 - N).

You can then browse through the pages until you see the volume level set to -10. You are able to change this to +10 but then there is no way of keeping the setting.

Anyone know how to sort this out?

Thanks in advance,

Andy

Gareth · 03-02-2005, 23:41

Heh, not seen this thread in all my time here, but I'm feeling kinda reassured that I'm not the only one to think that the voume during the adverts is considerably louder than during the programs. My theory is that most viewers have fallen asleep during the programs, so the quick loud blast once the adverts start is there to wake us all up so that we'll pay attention to what they're trying to sell us.... after all, we all know that television in general only exists as an advertising medium, and the programs are really in between the breaks and not the other way around

r-type, sorry, I have no idea about the engineers' menu... I've ditched cable telly for Sky

ps - nice nick, that really was a great game

pps -

r-type · 04-02-2005, 00:01

Cheers Gareth, you're indeed correct, one of my all time time favourites (God bless MAME!) I've just picked up R-Type Final for the PS2 which is also fantastic!

Anyway, back on topic, it really is a pain in the Arsenal... I forget the volume is turned up so loud and flick the stereo over from VCR/EXT to CD and then blow myself over the other side of the living room... either that or ****zu myself. It won't be long before I have a heart attack I think!

I think when we move I'll go for Sky+... I didn't know you could have ntl: broadband without the TV pack before I subscribed...

Oh yeah, thanks for the welcome!

druidvideo · 15-03-2005, 13:58

Gareth,

The reason adverts or certain audio sections seem are louder is the audio is compressed to be in the range of 1-2khz (if my memory serves) The human ear perceives this range louder hence the reason advertisers/programmers make good use of it to get your attention.

Stuart · 15-03-2005, 14:34

I think that's partly the case. I think it's also partly the case that not all production and post production companies produce output at the same volume level. According to Broadcast magazine (I think - don't have it to hand), there are moves to standardise this. The aim is for all programmes, ads, channel idents and links to be at the same volume.

15-03-2005, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by scastle

According to Broadcast magazine (I think - don't have it to hand), there are moves to standardise this. The aim is for all programmes, ads, channel idents and links to be at the same volume.

About time to