I just bought Serenity on HDDVD. I seem to be having a weird audio problem with the vocals. Half the time, during quiet scenes where there isn't much action, I notice a high pitch background tone. It is only with the vocal tracks. The tone will start the instant a character starts talking, and stop when the character is done talking. It is very high pitch, almost to the point of being inaudible. During a scene with multiple people talking, it might only happen with some of the characters. Anyone ever heard of this before?

I have a new A2. I've only watched Transformers, Batman Begins, and Serenity in HD on this machine. I have also watched about 6 SD movies on it, and Serenity is the only one that has this problem. I have watched hundreds (guessing) of SD DVDs with my old Onkyo DVD player and receiver, and never heard this before. I might try taking it back to Best Buy and exchanging it, although I'm not sure if that will accomplish anything.

I haven't noticed it in that particular title, but its likely just a mic hum that is made more apparent by the higher fidelity track. Whatever it is its not a problem with the disc (disc problems would manifest much differently).

Yea I've never had any problems with Serenity either.

I noticed something was odd or even slightly distorted on some of the voices in some scenes. Noticed it mostly at the beginning of the film.

What you're describing is called "noise pumping".

I noticed something was odd or even slightly distorted on some of the voices in some scenes. Noticed it mostly at the beginning of the film.

What you're describing is called "noise pumping".

i didnt notice it in 'serenity', but if its a 'pumping' sound, it may have been caused by audio compressors somewhere in the audio mixing/mastering process.

another possible example of this is when i watch hi def rock concerts recorded on my cableco hd dvr, using the analog audio outs. u can hear the compressors compressing and expanding (pumping) to keep the volume within a certain dynamic range.

somewhat irriltating, imo.

I actually watrcheds Serenity yesterday for the first time with my new set up. I heard nothing like that.

Art

I'm not sure if what I hear is what the OP is describing. I only know that the voice sounded "odd" to me. It's most noticeable in the opening, during the voice-over that winds up being the "teacher" in River's dream. Her voice sounds intermittently "fuzzy". It's very subtle, but I noticed it.

Listening again, I still hear it and I might describe it as noise pumping. There's also some audio FX that are faint behind her voice, so it's difficult to pick out. Some of the FX are high-pitched sounds. It may well be an intended effect. I think I got used to it and didn't notice it much during the rest of the film.

I have heard this too in the HDDVD version as well as the SDDVD. It sounds almost like a ringing similar to some of the dialog in the first Sin City release.

Yeah, I heard this as well on my Xbox 360 add-on.

When the Operative is talking to the Alliance Doctor it is really noticeable.

I replayed the movie last night. Everywhere it happens, it is repeatable. I tried listening to it through just the TV speakers (which I normally have off), and didn't hear it. No suprise there, though. I doubt those speakers are capable of producing that sound.

Also tried at my brother-in-law's house. Unfortunately, it was too noisy with kids running around and someone talking on the phone. I'm going to see if I can return it and swap for another copy. They had one old copy left (with the chrome spine instead of black). I'll probably pick that one up. It's pretty unbearable at times, and if a new copy doesn't fix it, I guess I'll have to stick with watching the SD DVD (which doesn't have this problem on my system).

Just a quick reply, since I saw this movie on an HD cable channel. My second disc from BB has the same problems. Have tried it on 3 different systems, with differnet model HD DVD players, and the high-pitched noise is still there.

Now, for the cable comment. The HD airing of Serenity had the exact same audio as the HD DVD. I noticed the messed-up audio while watching parts of this movie over at a family member's house. Interesting.

Just a quick reply, since I saw this movie on an HD cable channel. My second disc from BB has the same problems. Have tried it on 3 different systems, with differnet model HD DVD players, and the high-pitched noise is still there.

Now, for the cable comment. The HD airing of Serenity had the exact same audio as the HD DVD. I noticed the messed-up audio while watching parts of this movie over at a family member's house. Interesting.

I still think it's probably supposed to be a sound effect, just doesn't come out right for some reason.

I replayed the movie last night. Everywhere it happens, it is repeatable. I tried listening to it through just the TV speakers (which I normally have off), and didn't hear it. No suprise there, though. I doubt those speakers are capable of producing that sound.

Also tried at my brother-in-law's house. Unfortunately, it was too noisy with kids running around and someone talking on the phone. I'm going to see if I can return it and swap for another copy. They had one old copy left (with the chrome spine instead of black). I'll probably pick that one up. It's pretty unbearable at times, and if a new copy doesn't fix it, I guess I'll have to stick with watching the SD DVD (which doesn't have this problem on my system).
I just watched Serenity today and mine was spotless audio, If you can return and swap it you should, at least you can check out your system with a different disc. What have you got to lose?????

I've already swapped it once. Same on both discs, and the HD feed from the cable company.

I think a lot of folks don't hear it. Prolly, the better your AV system is, the more you hear it.