audio too low when recording from Panasonic DMR-ES40V

[creative13]

I have my Panasonic DMR-ES40V (combo DVD/VCR) to record directly from my digital cable box. Whenever I record a DVD or a videotape, the volume is way too low...when the recorded DVD or videotape is then played on any player in the house (including the original Panasonic I made the recording from), I have to turn the volume way up to hear it. I've now talked to Panasonic and my cable company and tried all their suggestions (replace A/V cables, make sure cable volume box control for audio is on "optimum," make sure cable box control is on "stereo," record to the IN1 and adjust A/V cables accordingly), and nothing has had any effect. I even made a diagram of my entire receiver/DVD/TV/Cable hookup to the electronics store to see if they saw anything wrong about the way I had everything hooked up (they said it looked good to them). I'm out of ideas, and I would really appreciate any help or suggestions.

[Soopafresh]

You're connecting from your cable box via the mini Firewire connector, yes?

If you recorded a "good" vhs tape to the DVD recorder, would THAT sound too quiet?

[creative13]

Sorry....I may have this question in an inappropriate place. My situation isn't connected in any way to my computer. This is all regarding the entertainment center setup in my living room. So please forgive me if this forum is for computer-related scenarios only. But I'm desperate for answers, so if you have suggestions, I'd appreciate it. By the way, I'm recording in the best modes possible (SP) and on top quality media.

[edDV]

List your cable box model number and connection method.

Most advanced "HighDef" or AC-3 out models have menu settings for audio volume compression.

AC-3 audio has potential for wide dynamic range (90-100dB) for those movie explosions but most recording devices aren't that wide. The peak level must assume the explosion. That means soft voices are 70-90dB down or very low. Increasing volume compression will narrow the audio dynamic range.

[creative13]

BINGO! I had no idea what audio compression was or did, so I just left it on the default "no compression." The cable box model, I think, is Motorola, DCT2224/1661/ACDEFGK. I'm connected from the cable box's audio/video out via nice quality A/V cables to the IN1 audio/video in of my Panasonic DVD/VCR recorder.) I just went in, changed the cable audio compression settings to "Heavy Compression," and the volume immediately went up, as did the volume of the experimental recording I did then to videotape. As more experimentation, I made recordings at Light Compression and the default No Compression...no difference between those two, but they definitely made lower volume recordings than the Heavy Compression. Oddly, this recorder still makes recordings at lower volume levels (even at the Heavy Compression setting) than any other recorder in the house. Not sure if there's a fix for it, but at least it's much better than it was. Thank you so much...wish I could return the favor.

[edDV]

BINGO! I had no idea what audio compression was or did, so I just left it on the default "no compression." The cable box model, I think, is Motorola, DCT2224/1661/ACDEFGK. I'm connected from the cable box's audio/video out via nice quality A/V cables to the IN1 audio/video in of my Panasonic DVD/VCR recorder.) I just went in, changed the cable audio compression settings to "Heavy Compression," and the volume immediately went up, as did the volume of the experimental recording I did then to videotape. As more experimentation, I made recordings at Light Compression and the default No Compression...no difference between those two, but they definitely made lower volume recordings than the Heavy Compression. Oddly, this recorder still makes recordings at lower volume levels (even at the Heavy Compression setting) than any other recorder in the house. Not sure if there's a fix for it, but at least it's much better than it was. Thank you so much...wish I could return the favor.

Good.

The other issue is the automatic gain control (AGC) on the recording device. It will turn gain up during the soft passages (and amplify noise) then try to compensate the loud scenes. By its nature, the AGC will have a lag often giving the worse performance at both extremes. It won't be fast enough for the explosion so the recording level clips. Then when things go soft, it will miss a few seconds of dialog as it reacts. This is called AGC pumping and drives people paying attention nuts. Before AC-3 everything on TV was volume compressed.

Over compression is unnatural as well. Experiment with the intermediate settings. Max compression is good for low volume late night listening.