Why does some DVDs have very low volume?

[cdechery]

I recently got a DVD player and I already saw a lot of films and shows, and I realized that there is this "problem" with DVD playing: the volumes varies too much from disc to disc.

At first I even got to think my player was the problem. It's not, I tested the discs on other players (diferent brands).

I'm seeing right now the "Bob Marley Tribute" DVD, which KICKS ASS... the sound is awesome, very loud and perfect.

But there are some discs (like Vanilla Sky) where the volume is SO low it pisses me off, cuz I have to turn up the volume on the TV and on the stereo waaaaaaaaaaay up (on the stereo, almost MAX).

Can someone explain me the reason? (if there is one)

[tonyp12]

I do not think that this ever happend to me.

What audio setup do you use?

A Reciver with Optical digital Dolby5.1 input? (I do)

Some DVD have the AC3 6-channel audio track
also in a AC3 2-channel version.

Try to select this track if you use regular Stereo
to so see if it makes a difference.

[cdechery]

As a matter of fact, I tried that.

But when I select Audio Setup on the menu and switch between AC3 6CH to AC3 2CH (sometimes there's two of this), the sountrack is what changes not the 'mode' or something.

Like, the sountrack of the movie is always 6CH, if I change it I'll hear the soundtrack of a trailer or something, which by the way HAS IN FACT a higher volume.

Is this correct? This is how it should work??

[tonyp12]

Look in your DVD players Manual about settings for default Audio.

Try different settings.

Still no difference?, try the DVD disc at a friends house.

[wulf109]

DVD's Ac3 audio is in fact set at much lower output level than other audio sources,for example a VCR. This low output level is normal for DVD audio. The only DVD player brand that gets around this low audio output is Daewoo. They have a menu option called RF sound which raises the audio output from a DVD to a more nomal level.

[cdechery]

But there are some discs with VERY high volumes, like the one I mentioned: Bob Marley Tribute - it even has a sound option: Stereo PCM or Dolby 5.1.

I wish all discs had a sound like this one, it's just amazing, and it's just the TV and my regular stereo.

I think until now the only discs had this "volume issue" are movies, where the volume is pretty low and the dialogs are veeeeeeeery low, almost inaudible unless I turn the volume way up!

The other discs I tried with good volumes were shows or documentaries.

[wulf109]

DVD supports PCM and MPEG audio in addition to Ac3. PCM and MPEG will play at a higher volume. You are correct movies are usually AC3. PCM or MPEG are rare on a DVD.

[vitualis]

The audio output on DVDs is in fact CORRECT and reflect the large dynamic range in films. We have gotten too used to other sources of audio (especially CDs) where the dynamic range of the audio will often be compressed to make it "louder".

Most DVD players will actually compress the dynamic range of a DVD to some degree. If you find the audio low, I suggest that you get a better amplifier or just live with turning up the volume.

Most DVDs actually have the audio level set to a fairly consistent level (bar the few aberrant ones) unlike audio CDs where just about ever CD is different.

Regards.

[sterno]

If you find the audio low, I suggest that you get a better amplifier or just live with turning up the volume.

Something that goes along with that: some receivers let you set the gain on each input independently, so if you get/have one of those you could adjust it so that a typical DVD sounds about the same as the other inputs at your normal volume.

My stereo has that adjustment, but I don't bother - it's not that hard to just adjust the volume to where I want it at the start of the movie, just like I do with the seemingly random volumes that some TV channels and VHS tapes have.

[cdechery]

I think what bothers me the most is the extremely low dialogue volume.

Cuz I can turn the volume both on my stereo and TV and get a wake-up-all-neighbours volume... but still the dialogue won't be loud enough. I already know the reason for that, but I still don't agree with it. I guess there should be some kinda of option (not only in a receiver, on the dvdplayer itself) for using regular dialogue volume instead of this new "more realistic" low dialogue volume.

And I'm kinda disapointed with all this... cuz when I got a DVD player I was hoping for kickass sound and image. But when I have to kick the stereo volume almost to the max to get a good level, I wonder if this is really so good. I find very uncomfortable to have to do that everytime I watch a movie.

Regards,
Christian