Low Sound on some DVDs

[bertie]

I have just changed my TV (My new TV is a Panasonic LED) but am still using with it a Panasonic DVD recorder which I have had for some time. I have found that on some DVDs we need to have the TV sound full on to hear the soundtrack and would - in some cases - like a little more sound. We did not have that problem with the previous TV (Sharp LCD). I know that DVDs are produced at differing sound levels. I have also looked through the menus of both the TV and DVD recorder to see if there are potential sound adjustments but there do not seem to be any which will increase volume levels. I am not after better quality sound but more volume. Is the answer to connect a speaker and amplifier kit or a sound bar? Will either of these raise the sound levels or do they simply improve quality not volume? Or is there anything else I can do? Any thoughts gratefully received.

[julian_craster]

I find listening on headphones very useful - buy ones with a slider volume control and an extra long lead [or wireless ones....]

Most modern TVs have a headphone socket, and some have dual ouput so one viewer can listen on 'phones, and aother viewer through the speakers at a different volume setting....

[Richard_in_wales]

The speakers on the majority of TV's are only average at best, you will get much better results using a separate amplifier and speakers.

[Film Man]

I seem to have the same problem 'bertie'....it never seemed to be so bad when I had a Sony 5.1 amplifier but now with a new Onkyo I seem to be playing with the volume all the time. OK on mono tracks but as soon as we go full stereo, on some discs, it is all over the place...sometimes whisper quiet and other times on the verge of pain! I put it down 'artie' sound mixers but it's strange how it varies on different discs...sorry I'm no help.
Film Man.

[MikeB]

Its well known that DVD players need turning up when playing back through a TV. My old Philips CRT has to go way higher when I'm watching a DVD (on an 8 year old Eltax) or something from the Sony HDD.

On most modern Tv's there should be offsets, so that the sound from a particular device is consistant with the general level. Trawling through the Panasonic manual (I had a look though the E30 manual, but I suspect they are all much the same - but let me know the model, and I'll try and find out more), on page 19, you have something called 'volume correction'. Its described as 'Adjusts volume of individual channel
or input mode' - which sounds like the sort of thing your looking for. There is also something called 'audio gain control' - 'Adjusts the current volume level if it is extremely different from the previous viewed channel or input mode'. Thats automatic is you want. (page 33). I suspect that 'Volume Correction' will do what you want.

The Panasonic manuals are hardly a model of clarity (a customer bought in one last year for her Panasonic DVD/HDD , and it was twice as complicated as the one for my very similar Sony), but this one isn't bad. As far as general sound is concerned, Panasonics are actually pretty good, considering that they are LED's, and thus have basically very small speakers and no resonance to speak of. Its one of the first things I tell my customers, and hopefully the salesman who sold the TV should have told you as well.

If you want to boost your sound, then go for a soundbar or Home Cinema system. A decent one will be around £299 for the soundbar (Samsung, Panansonic and Orbitsound all make them), and around £249-299 for a Home Cinema. Home Cinema's have a blu-ray, plus 5 speakers, plus a sub-woofer. The eastiest way to connect them is via a digital opitical cable (£10), and the sound comes out of the TV via the port (yes, you have one) through the cable into the system. However, most decent HC systems use HDMI only if you have whats called ARC (audio return) on an HDMI (usually second on a midlevel Panni). Using a 1.4 HDMI (now called 'with ethernet'), it will takes the sound to/from the TV very well indeed. This usually applies to a 3D capable HC system (they use 1.4). If you've got the E30 or above, then you have ARC.

You can certainly go down the seperates route (very nice they are too) but seperate amps, blu-ray and speakers do cost more (often a lot more). Most of my customers want a one box solution. Have a look through Whathifi.com for soundbars, sperates and HC. Be warned the HC systems tend to be late in arriving from manufacturers, and tend to go first (the CES in Las Vegas is the change over time for the industry), but might get some good deals, such as the Sony e280 system, for £269.95 at the moment. Thats a good deal.

You've already got a DVD recorder from the same company, so you should be able use Viera Link to programme it, and if its got a HDMI on the back, upscale you recordings/DVD's. In the longer term, I'd go for a HD HDD.

Tell us how you get on.

[bertie]

Thanks Mike B - for such a helpful answer. The model I have is the L42E30B and I had found the volume correction section in the menu. I am, however, very far from being a 'techi' and am always nervous about making too big adjustments. Can I assume that I can push the volume correction bar as far to the right as it will go and that this will raise the overall sound level on DVDs? If not, as you suggest I had thought about adding a soundbar and assume you are confirming that this will raise the volume levels from the DVD to acceptable levels. Cheers, bertie.

[MikeB]

Frankly, I couldn't tell you about whether moving the correction bar will make much difference - give it a small go and see. You can always change it back if not. I advise rather than personally set them up, so I'm working from theory rather than practice. If your really stuck, go back to where you bought (or ring them up), and they should be able to advise you. I do get customers coming back to ask questions, and we are happy to help.

However, if you look at this site Operating The Panasonic TX32LXD700: User Menu & Remote - there is a mention of setting up various elements, including volume correction. The page is 4 years old, but not a lot seems to have changed.

Other people seem to have similar problems (Re sound on Freeview HD) - Message box on Panasonic TV , and Why is sky HD sound volume so quiet? - Page 3 using volume correction seems to have helped (donethe ones post in the second example).

Give the volume correction a go. You can always change it to factory setting if it doesn't work. You can try Panasonic or AV Forums if it doesn't work(AVF is a bit techie, I have to admit).

A sound bar/Home Cinema boosts the sound generally, not just for DVD's. If the sound is fine on the TV, but not the DVD, then adjust the volume for the DVD via the TV controls, because the TV itself is fine. Its the volume allocated to the DVD (only) as it comes into the TV that needs changing. If you want to make both better, then get a soundbar, etc by all means. In that case, the Tv outputs sound to the sound system, as does the DVD, etc - which should in theory mean you dont have go through this again (you can also pay someone to set up your system for you when its delivered - we offer this service, and seems to be very popular...!).

[Steve Crook]

Thanks Mike B - for such a helpful answer. The model I have is the L42E30B and I had found the volume correction section in the menu. I am, however, very far from being a 'techi' and am always nervous about making too big adjustments. Can I assume that I can push the volume correction bar as far to the right as it will go and that this will raise the overall sound level on DVDs? If not, as you suggest I had thought about adding a soundbar and assume you are confirming that this will raise the volume levels from the DVD to acceptable levels. Cheers, bertie.

Two of the secrets of being a "Techie" are
First, learn how to spell it
Second, don't be afraid to try out different settings. Try it a small amount at a time. You can't break things by altering the settings

Steve

[MikeB]

Perhaps a lot of 'techie's' would like to change the spelling - techie + jedi = techi! May the force be with you!

[Steve Crook]

Perhaps a lot of 'techie's' would like to change the spelling - techie + jedi = techi! May the force be with you!

Most 'techie' people I know dislike the word 'techie' and would prefer that you don't call them that. It's a phrase that tends to be used by non-technical people

Steve

[mrs_emma_peel]

The speakers on the majority of TV's are only average at best, you will get much better results using a separate amplifier and speakers.

I agree ... play the low-audio DVDs through a dedicated separate H-Fi system ... not only do you achieve considerably extra volume - but you also enhance the film or programme music and sound effects significantly with the extra omph and audio-depth of the amplifier/speaker bass power ... which sounds even better through headphones ... and is much closer to re-creating the rich cinematic sound.
Emma

[Film Man]

This still doesn't answer the question as to why many discs have low sound. I showed 'Cowboys and Aliens' last night via a 7.1 sound system (enough power to fill the Empire Leicester Square) but on centre speech I had to keep winding up the sound...when it came to music and F/X I had to quickly do the oposite! On an old film like 'Casablanca' it was stable throughout...plus I could understand every word...is this progress or am I past it????
Film Man.

[Nick Dando]

I can't say that I've noticed this problem. There are certain very old films from the 1930s that need to be moved up from my standard listening setting of 40 on the AV processor, but they are the exception. I certainly haven't had to turn the volume down.

I use an Arcam DV-88 into an Arcam AV-200 processor feeding into a Naim pre-power amp set-up, and listen to it through a Cyrus centre speaker, Naim Allaes for the front speakers and Naim (I can't remember which model they are) rear speakers.

All of this kit is around ten years old now.

Nick

[didi-5]

It really does depend on the DVD and the settings, IMO. Having said that my LG DVD recorder plays back at much higher volume through my Goodmans TV than my husband's Panasonic DVD recorder does through his Philips TV. We just shrug and get used to it, and as I have a slight hearing defect I make use of subtitles where they are available.