[thaxx]

I noticed tonight that HDnet no longer has a lower volume than the rest of the channels, in fact it's a bit louder than the rest.

Anyone else notice this?

 

[agtiny]

Yeah I think I noticed this too. That's good, 2 out of the 3 problems are fixed: volume and picture centering. Now we just need DD5.1.

 

[YardleyBill]

And the "jittery bright colors" problem they fixed for the Olympics, but has been back BIG TIME ever since.


So make that 4 problems.

 

[Wesley Hester]

Well actually I think they just applied Dialogue Normalization: in this case +4 (or at least that what my Onkyo receiver shows it at).


Dialogue Normalization put very simply is a software way of turning up your receiver's volume without turning the volume knob.


Some DVDs use Dialogue Normalization to make their soundtracks brighter (i.e. louder) and sometimes to offset a legitimately low volume track.


Some receivers display this offset that can range from -12 to +12 and all of them should. For example: someone with a receiver that doesn't will not be aware that a movie like Pearl Harbor (I believe) has a Dialogue Normalization of +4 and that they should turn their receiver volume down four notches to stay at their true reference level.

 

[ADebar]

Quote:

Originally posted by agtiny Yeah I think I noticed this too. That's good, 2 out of the 3 problems are fixed: volume and picture centering. Now we just need DD5.1.

i think my thread set off some alarms. i really think it made these guys actually look into the problems. when was the centering fixed?

 

[PTS]

Wesley, have a question. I run my audio thru my Denon receiver (think its a 3200) and -20 to -17 is pretty loud, when watching dvd's ,HDTV etc. How does that number correspond to Dialogue Normalization? Mind explaining?

 

[Wesley Hester]

First you should determine your reference level by properly calibrating your receiver with a sound level meter. Or you can just pick a volume level that's right for you. I personally have a compromise. I properly set my receiver with a sound level meter, but I leveled all channels to around 70-71dBs instead of the recommended 75-76dBs. In doing so I can turn my Onkyo's volume up until the display changes to "Ref" for reference level (really 82 absolute) and I can have a loud but not ear damaging, run everyone out of the room, volume level. The key here: experiment. Also note that I'm not sure about the Denon but with the Onkyo you can choose to display the volume as an absolute value (0 to 100) or as a relative value like the -20 to -17 you speak of and that's why my volume number above is different from yours.


Anyway, whatever you normally set your volume to is fine. Dialogue Normalization can be adjusted for IF YOU want to or not.


For example the DVD A Knight's Tale has a Dialogue Normalization of -1. To compensate, you would turn your volume up 1 notch to be back at YOUR reference level.


Another example: Air Force One (first release) has a Dialogue Normalization of +4 so to compensate you would turn your receiver's volume down 4 notches to be back at your reference level.


Like I said earlier though you can totally ignore this if you want. I personally have my volume set to a point where I hardly ever have to touch it. But with DVDs like those above, and many others, I do adjust for Dialogue Normalization. At my reference level a DVD with a Dialogue Normalization of +4 or more like Air Force One would be to much. However, for HDNet I don't adjust the volume because that +4 is badly needed and a true improvement. Of course a better improvement would be if they could raise the volume level without having to use the Dialogue Normalization technique.


P.S. Dialogue Normalization in the case of HDNet is quite affective I must admit though. Now you can leave your receiver volume at one level while watching Satellite and when you turn to HDNet Dialogue Normalization turns up the volume for you!

 

[CCLAY]

Dialog Normalization or not, HDNet has listened once again to us AVS forum members. The level is clearly closer to that of the other DTV signals.


Thanks, HDNet! Your network is the BEST.


Wesley, where did get the info on the D/N inre to HDNet?


Chris