trouble hearing dvd's.

by8auj6csd3ioq

Does anyone have trouble hearing dvd's. I have a new dvd player and new TV and the dvds are newly bought i.e not rentals. But I have to keep replaying parts where I cannot catch the dialogue

MisterAnarchy

Alot of films with 5.1 soundtracks have low dialogue volume and are difficult to hear.
Background sounds and explosions are really loud but dialogue is low.
If you are playing the sound thru the tv try to use the 2 channel setup in the DVD audio setup section.
I have a 5.1 system and I have to increase the centre channel to hear the dialogue.
Its a flaw of alot of 5.1 Dvd's that the centre channel is so low,it should be the loudest .

by8auj6csd3ioq

Thanks for your reply

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Alot of films with 5.1 soundtracks have low dialogue volume and are difficult to hear.

where do i see if it is a 5.1 soundtrack

Background sounds and explosions are really loud but dialogue is low.

Had that with Saving Private Ryan

If you are playing the sound thru the tv try to use the 2 channel setup in the DVD audio setup section.

OK how else could in play the sound if not thru tv. I am getting a 32 inch widescreeen lcd soon. How should i play the sound to have it good and crisp?

...to increase the centre channel to hear the dialogue.

How?

Its a flaw of alot of 5.1 Dvd's that the centre channel is so low,it should be the loudest .

OK didn't know that,how can i compensate for it?

by8auj6csd3ioq

Anyone?

Discostuy

Fernanda Massive Mud wrote: »

Thanks for your replywhere do i see if it is a 5.1 soundtrack
Had that with Saving Private Ryan
OK how else could in play the sound if not thru tv. I am getting a 32 inch widescreeen lcd soon. How should i play the sound to have it good and crisp?
How?
OK didn't know that,how can i compensate for it?

hey Fernanda Massive Mud...

With your current set up, as misteranarchy said, you have 5.1 channels of sound (thats 2 front, 1 centre, 2 rear and the .1 is the sub woofer for bass) coming through just 2 speakers on your tv.

What happens is you have all these seperate channels of sound being pushed out of 2 speakers...where the low, bass (explosion) sound usually drowns out the high (dialogue) sound.

Nearly all good dvds are now 5.1 sound as standard. You can check the back of the dvd case itself, it will have something like "Audio 5.1 dolby digital" or "Audio 2 channel stereo"...it might also have a little diagram indicating 2 or 5.1 speakers.

One option is, when you play a dvd, go to the settings option on the main menu screen and choose "2 channel stereo" instead of the "5.1 surround" option. Generally the 5.1 option is selected as default.

Another option is to go to the Audio settings on your tv and decrease the bass a little and increase the mid and high settings until you find you can make out the dialogue a little better.

What is the make and model of your dvd player?.
Does it have any sort of a "late night mode" setting? This is usually good for amplifying the low dialogue sound and reducing the bass so all the sound is more balanced when played at a low volume or late at night.

The other option is to invest in an Av receiver/amp package. If you are buying a new tv, keep an eye out for package deals. You may find a new tv and a dvd/amp set that has the 5.1 speaker system for a good price.

Stu.

Tusky

This annoys the crap out of me. I have a 5.1 set up and can never put the remote control down. Have to turn the volume up everytime there is a conversation in the movie and turn it down anytime there is loud backround noise the movie.

Discostuy

What dvd and tv do you have Tusky?

by8auj6csd3ioq

Thanks for getting back to me

Discostuy wrote: »

hey Jack Magee...

With your current set up, as misteranarchy said, you have 5.1 channels of sound (thats 2 front, 1 centre, 2 rear and the .1 is the sub woofer for bass) coming through just 2 speakers on your tv.

OK

What happens is you have all these seperate channels of sound being pushed out of 2 speakers...where the low, bass (explosion) sound usually drowns out the high (dialogue) sound.

I see

Nearly all good dvds are now 5.1 sound as standard. You can check the back of the dvd case itself, it will have something like "Audio 5.1 dolby digital" or "Audio 2 channel stereo"...it might also have a little diagram indicating 2 or 5.1 speakers.

Yes all mine are

One option is, when you play a dvd, go to the settings option on the main menu screen and choose "2 channel stereo" instead of the "5.1 surround" option. Generally the 5.1 option is selected as default.

I tried that but it does not seem to work. OK update When i press audio on the dvd remote I get a yellow box at top left which has 1 ENG 3/2.5CH. There is no option to change it

Another option is to go to the Audio settings on your tv and decrease the bass a little and increase the mid and high settings until you find you can make out the dialogue a little better.

OK I wil try that

What is the make and model of your dvd player?.

Philips DVP 3100V and my TV is a 21 inch RF21 85TXSIL with a real flat screen though the set ios CRT. I am getting a 32 inch flat screen lcd.

Does it have any sort of a "late night mode" setting? This is usually good for amplifying the low dialogue sound and reducing the bass so all the sound is more balanced when played at a low volume or late at night.

I will check that and post back I have to go out now

The other option is to invest in an Av receiver/amp package. If you are buying a new tv, keep an eye out for package deals. You may find a new tv and a dvd/amp set that has the 5.1 speaker system for a good price.

Stu.

Do you mean I have to get a new dvd playerwith an amp or can i use the one i have now with an amp.Thanks again

vincenzo1975

I assume you have checked the scart cable is in tight, and that none of the pins are damaged?

by8auj6csd3ioq

vincenzo1975 wrote: »

I assume you have checked the scart cable is in tight, and that none of the pins are damaged?

yes cheers

Snake Plisken

Check your TV's sound settings some have whats known as Spatial sound which trys to give the effect of surround sound from 2 speakers, some sets have pre-set settings for speech as well.

Discostuy

As Snake says try have a look at the audio settings on the tv, see if it has any preset audio set ups.

Im not sure what you mean by 3/2.5ch, but keep pressing the audio button and see if it cycles through different options...it might have 2 choices for English, one might be 5.1 and one should be 2 Ch stereo.

by8auj6csd3ioq

Discostuy wrote: »

As Snake says try have a look at the audio settings on the tv, see if it has any preset audio set ups.

Im not sure what you mean by 3/2.5ch, but keep pressing the audio button and see if it cycles through different options...it might have 2 choices for English, one might be 5.1 and one should be 2 Ch stereo.

I have managed to cycle to 4 ENG 2/0CH. I will see how that goes

You may find a new tv and a dvd/amp set that has the 5.1 speaker system for a good price.

Does that mean I cannot use my current dvd player as it is new? Or do you mean get an amp for current dvd player? Thanks again

vincenzo1975

do you have a second TV in the house, if so try switching tyhe DVD player to that to see if there is a difference, then you would know if its the TV or DVD player.

Also, if your TV has multiple scart connections, try the other connection point.

Also, try disconnecting all other AV inputs from your TV to see if any interfearence is occuring. (video, playstations etc)

vincenzo1975

Fernanda Massive Mud wrote: »

Thanks for getting back to me
OK
I tried that but it does not seem to work. OK update When i press audio on the dvd remote I get a yellow box at top left which has 1 ENG 3/2.5CH. There is no option to change it

As far as I know, this setting is based on the DVD disk that you are playing, try a different DVD disk.

delly

Also, go to the setting options on the DVD player itself when you don't have a dvd in, as you might be getting the options menu from the DVD mixed up with the options menu from the player itself.

Discostuy

Fernanda Massive Mud wrote: »

I have managed to cycle to 4 ENG 2/0CH. I will see how that goes

Does that mean I cannot use my current dvd player as it is new? Or do you mean get an amp for current dvd player? Thanks again

Yeah see how you get on with the 2ch stereo...hopefully it will sound more balanced for your tv.

Regarding the amp set up. Your current dvd will work fine, there is no need to change it. I only mean, if you were interested in upgrading your system, while your out looking at tv's...have a look at the surround sound sets.

Some will be amp/dvd combos. For a few more quid you can get a dedicated av receiver with speakers, that you connect your dvd player and your tv to. This will allow you to hear all the audio through the surround speakers.

by8auj6csd3ioq

Regarding the amp set up. Your current dvd will work fine, there is no need to change it. I only mean, if you were interested in upgrading your system, while your out looking at tv's...have a look at the surround sound sets.

Some will be amp/dvd combos. For a few more quid you can get a dedicated av receiver with speakers, that you connect your dvd player and your tv to. This will allow you to hear all the audio through the surround speakers.

Oh I see;)

by8auj6csd3ioq

delly wrote: »

Also, go to the setting options on the DVD player itself when you don't have a dvd in, as you might be getting the options menu from the DVD mixed up with the options menu from the player itself.

I will try that too;)

by8auj6csd3ioq

vincenzo1975 wrote: »

do you have a second TV in the house, if so try switching tyhe DVD player to that to see if there is a difference, then you would know if its the TV or DVD player.

Also, if your TV has multiple scart connections, try the other connection point.

Also, try disconnecting all other AV inputs from your TV to see if any interfearence is occuring. (video, playstations etc)

Don't have a second tv or playstation

vincenzo1975

If the TV and DVD are new, try contacing the shop to see what they say. Ask them to hook one of the DVD's up to the TV (display models) in store and see if it happens there. If there is no problem, ask them to exchange the DVD player.

L31mr0d

I've noticed this with a few peoples surround sound setups.

I think they imagine that during quiet scenes they should be able to hear peoples footsteps at about just below the volume of the voice from the center speaker. Then when things get loud they find they can barely hear the voice channel. The rear and back speakers should mainly be for ambiance (i.e. unless the scene is particularly loud you shouldn't be able to hear people rustling newspapers and footsteps as a distinct separate soundtrack, they should just be background noises that you only notice if you have to concentrate your hearing on them) the same is true of the sub, you shouldn't be able to noticable "hear" the bass, rather it should just add depth to the sound where it is needed. If you can audibly tell the location of your sub in the room during movies then you have its volume is too high.

by8auj6csd3ioq

I rang around and was told i could get a home theatre complete surround sound for 250 which encopasses a dvd player for 250 euro and a sony KDL32L 32 inch HDMI TV for 600, claimed to be reduced from 900 euro.

Would appreciate feedback from knowledgeable folk