Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
08-06-11, 05:06 PM
#1
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Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
Hi. I am having an issue with hear my Blu-Ray movie and I hope someone can help me out.
The problem is that whenever I watch a blu-ray the dialogue is so low I have to raise the volume, but when music or an action scene comes on its so loud that I have to lower it. I am doing this constantly through the whole movie.
I am assuming its the soundtracks and that I have the player connected directly to the TV with an HDMI cable. The room is a kids room, and its only 8x8, so a home theater is not an option.
Would a Soundbar solve this problem? If anyone can offer a suggestion it would be greatly appreicated
The problem is that whenever I watch a blu-ray the dialogue is so low I have to raise the volume, but when music or an action scene comes on its so loud that I have to lower it. I am doing this constantly through the whole movie.
I am assuming its the soundtracks and that I have the player connected directly to the TV with an HDMI cable. The room is a kids room, and its only 8x8, so a home theater is not an option.
Would a Soundbar solve this problem? If anyone can offer a suggestion it would be greatly appreicated
08-06-11, 09:45 PM
#4
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
A real sound system would solve this problem! 
(OK, just saw you already said that's "not an option"- in that case, you takes whats you gets...)
(OK, just saw you already said that's "not an option"- in that case, you takes whats you gets...)
08-06-11, 11:08 PM
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Re: Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
Have this issue with a BDP-BX2 and a Sony TV. To "solve" it I turned on steady sound in the TVs menu. Seems to help, but there are still a few titles where the dialog is too low and I have to adjust the volume.
08-07-11, 08:25 AM
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Re: Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
08-07-11, 10:40 AM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
I have this issue a lot, both with discs and regular television. I think the problem is down-mixing 5.1 sound to stereo. It's better when using my crappy 5.1 system, but I really need a larger center speaker and a better amp.
08-07-11, 11:48 AM
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Re: Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
I agree with Jason. I would notice this same issue sometimes before I had my cheapie surround system and HDTV. I used to pipe DVD soundtracks through my stereo speakers (unless I was watching on a stereo TV, then I'd just use the TV speakers). What often helped tremendously was selecting the dedicated stereo (2.0) track on the DVD rather than the 5.1, thus avoiding the 5.1 downmixed to stereo.
Of course, not every DVD has a dedicated 2.0 track (and not every 5.1 track exhibited this problem). With BD, it seems even fewer discs are including the 2.0 mix now. They seem to assume users are surround-friendly.
Although space limits me at the present time from more than my current low-budget solution, I can say that with a surround system, uneven audio levels between dialogue, music, and effects are pretty much a thing of the past.
Of course, not every DVD has a dedicated 2.0 track (and not every 5.1 track exhibited this problem). With BD, it seems even fewer discs are including the 2.0 mix now. They seem to assume users are surround-friendly.
Although space limits me at the present time from more than my current low-budget solution, I can say that with a surround system, uneven audio levels between dialogue, music, and effects are pretty much a thing of the past.
08-07-11, 02:08 PM
#9
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
Why not at least set up an inexpensive surround system? Or at least a 3.1 set up?
Been lazy and haven't put rear speakers up on the ceiling in the living room, but 3.1 actually works well...imo....
Been lazy and haven't put rear speakers up on the ceiling in the living room, but 3.1 actually works well...imo....
08-07-11, 10:06 PM
#10
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
If I'm remembering correctly, it's because the dialogue is really only coming through the center channel and not through the front left/right at all.
You're watching Asylum films aren't you? Those are the ones that caused me trouble.
08-08-11, 04:52 PM
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
I also have this problem with certain titles when I watch them in the bedroom with the stereo speakers on the TV and the track is 5.1. When you watch the same thing on a surround sound system, everything is fine.
If I'm remembering correctly, it's because the dialogue is really only coming through the center channel and not through the front left/right at all.
You're watching Asylum films aren't you? Those are the ones that caused me trouble.
If I'm remembering correctly, it's because the dialogue is really only coming through the center channel and not through the front left/right at all.
You're watching Asylum films aren't you? Those are the ones that caused me trouble.
It's so bad on cable TV that I can't watch some programs at all. Dr. Who on BBC America is among the worst. I think the cable company might be doing the downmixing, so I'm pretty much screwed there.
08-09-11, 12:39 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
I completely understand that. On my bedroom TV, I normally watch things with the volume around 20. On titles that have this issue, I'm cranking it up to 50-60 and have to keep my hand on the remote because the second there's any action, it's super super loud.
08-09-11, 03:32 PM
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Voices too low on blu-ray, need a suggestion.
I also have a Sony blu-ray player, a BDP-S360.
Using my player as a guide, you guys with Sony players might want to try the following settings:
Go to the SETUP option, then click on AUDIO SETTINGS.
Audio Output Priority > HDMI
Audio (HDMI) > 2ch PCM
BD Audio Setting > Mix
Audio ATT > Off
Dolby Digital > Downmix PCM
DTS > Downmix PCM
48kHz/96kHz PCM > 48kHz/16bit
Audio DRC > TV Mode
Downmix > Normal
If you don't have those exact settings, then look in your manual and try to set your player to properly downmix. Also, write down what your original settings were so you can change them back if you need to, or for reference.
I initially had my player hooked directly in the television, and those are the settings that resolved the quiet dialog issue. (Fortunately I keep all of my old settings logged into a notebook. Just in case...)
Using my player as a guide, you guys with Sony players might want to try the following settings:
Go to the SETUP option, then click on AUDIO SETTINGS.
Audio Output Priority > HDMI
Audio (HDMI) > 2ch PCM
BD Audio Setting > Mix
Audio ATT > Off
Dolby Digital > Downmix PCM
DTS > Downmix PCM
48kHz/96kHz PCM > 48kHz/16bit
Audio DRC > TV Mode
Downmix > Normal
If you don't have those exact settings, then look in your manual and try to set your player to properly downmix. Also, write down what your original settings were so you can change them back if you need to, or for reference.
I initially had my player hooked directly in the television, and those are the settings that resolved the quiet dialog issue. (Fortunately I keep all of my old settings logged into a notebook. Just in case...)
