Dynamic range compression

[stniuk]

Just a quick question.
I got a new dvd player a Hitachi dp345, in the audio menu there is a setting for dynamic range compression. It can be adjusted from off to full, with various setting in between. It came set to off.
Am I right in thinking that this adjusts the audio range between the lowest sound and loudest sound?
In other words if you are finding yourself turning television up during dialog and down during music you can make the sound more 'even' by adjusting this setting?

[Cornucopia]

Exactly (although it may be only applicable to DolbyDigital/AC3 streams as they explicitly support this).

Scott

[greymalkin]

when you look at a soundtrack you will see peaks and valleys along the timeline...the peaks are the loud parts and the valleys are the soft parts...a compressor put very simply squeezes the peaks down and raises the valleys up to varying degrees...applied lightly it can keep you from micromanaging the remote control...applied heavily it can make things sound bad.

[whitejremiah]

yea, its so you can watch movies such as independance day at 3am without waking up your neighbors

[stniuk]

Thanks, I think I'll do some experimenting with the settings and listen to the results.