ac3/mpeg same on PC, diff. on TV

[spiritgumm]

I'm trying to match audio levels of 2 different videos (after demuxing and boosting one of them): one has mpeg1, the other has ac3. The problem is they sound the same in PC, but the mpeg1 is louder on the TV. I've tried different software to preview them, but the levels sound the same. Any suggestions how I can get an accurate rendition?

[jagabo]

The AC3 decoder you are using on the computer is probably set up to increase the volume by 10 or 20 dB. Go to its setup applet and adjust it.

[spiritgumm]

Thanks. I'll try to figure out where it is and adjust it.

[jagabo]

Maybe: Start -> All Programs -> AC3Filter ->...

[spiritgumm]

I have AC3Filter but uninstalled it awhile back when I was setting up Belight. I thought the AC3 filter for Nero Wave editor was controlling things, but when I set its 5.1 output to 0 gain, the AC3 sounds even louder.
I have FFdShow installed, but it's AC3 Decoder doesn't have anything checked off to interact. I'll try uninstalling that and see if anything good happens.

[jagabo]

The problem stems from the fact that AC3 audio is normally encoded 10 or 20 dB below most computer audio files. So some AC3 decoders automatically (or manually) boost the audio levels.

[spiritgumm]

The audio problem seems to have started recently after I customized MPC to let me select which 5.1 channels to play, but the problem is on any media player. I tried resetting MPC to default audio but no change (unless I need to reboot).
Uninstalling ffdshow had no effect.

[jagabo]

In MPC right click on a video while it's playing, select Filters..., pick the AC3 decoder, adjust its settings.

[spiritgumm]

yeah, that's the first thing I tried (both under Filters, and Audio-Options).
I also tried adjusting the Dvd player (the standalone, not PC software) audio settings, but nothing changed.

[spiritgumm]

I noticed that different volume AC3 always plays at the same level in CMP, VLC and DvdShrink, regardless of the real level. TDA, Mpeg2Schnitt (when audio is demuxed), and Windows Media Player will play the actual level. How can I adjust the first 3 wares to play accurately - or can't they do this? I tried customizing their settings but no luck. They must happen to use the same default audio decoders which normalizes whatever audio to the same level (I tried switching decoders in CMP but no luck).