BBC HD Sound Levels

G

grasmith

Member
My Satellite Setup
Freesat via Sony KDL-40w5810 TV
HP Pavilion 2GHz Notebook
My Location
Sunderland UK
Hi Folks

Since Freesat Installation (Sony KDL-40W5810 + Zone 2 60cm dish, 12/09), I have been very aware of a significant attenuation of sound level on BBC HD Services w.r.t all other Freesat channels, except for continuity between prog's.

As you can imagine, this can be very annoying when switching channels. I am assuming that everybody in receipt of Freesat will experience this problem? If this is the case, what can we do about it?

Any views on the above would be most welcome.
 
The BBC have turned into a pack of wackos.

I can't help with the Sony. I use a PC card for HD and I was able to get a program to automatically gain up the AC3 output. The other European broadcasters using AC3 broadcast at sane levels, so you don't get your ears blasted off switching from one to the other, so why the BBC can't I have no idea.

I am inclined to draw certain uncomplimentary conclusions. :(
 
I find the exact oppposite through my Foxsat HDR!

I've noticed ever since I got the HDR that the sound level on BBC HD is just a bit greater than on any other channel. I put it down to the difference between Dolby Digital and the other non-DD sound channels but exactly why I didn't, and still don't, know. I always have to knock the sound level of the TV down a touch as a result.
 
That is interesting.

I wonder if it has an 'AGC' in the software or audio module to gain up to match the non AC3 / Dolby Digital sound channels.

If so, it would be a good choice of receiver because the difference in volume is huge through an amplifier, it is not just an annoyance but a real problem when you forget to turn it down. Which is why it annoys me so much.
 
No noticeable difference between BBC HD and any other Channel.

My Humax Foxsat is set for max. Audio Out level and never touched. Volume control is via Hi-Fi Amp (with Dolby permanently engaged) alone and the act of selecting BBC HD does not cause us to alter it.

I tend to agree with the hypothesis that the characteristics of ones own Audio system, whether it be TV alone, or some other means of Audio "projection" are what is causing the perceived differences.

So far, we've got votes for louder, votes for quieter and votes for no difference!
 
Could be. My audio is played straight through the TV over the HDMI lead. Tivu, do you use a separate digital connection then? Grasmith, do you use the TV's own sound system? Hexah, what is your sound system?
 
Hi PaulR

Audio as follows: external devices- HDMI to TV.
TV to Pioneer 5.1 amp via Digital Optical. TV audio turned off.
 
grasmith said:
Audio as follows: external devices- HDMI to TV.
TV to Pioneer 5.1 amp via Digital Optical. TV audio turned off.
Click to expand...
Just as a test could you see what the audio levels are on the TV comparing BBC HD and the other channels?
 
My setup is:

WinTV-NOVA-HD-S2 ---> Vista Sound Mixer (volume at 100 to avoid artefacting) ---> generic USB sound card ---> analogue QED cable ---> analogue NAD amp.

The sound is the same put through the on-board sound, though not as high quality.

I use an analogue amp as I find it sounds warmer and less harsh than the digital ones.


Software is DVB Viewer and AC3 Filter version 1.63b.

Master gain is +7dB and DRC is +12dB.

Documentation about AC3 Filter is at their website _http://ac3filter.net/
 
refer to previous post
 
Sorry, Paul, I think I could have been somewhat clearer in my earlier post.

My sound is from the TV into a bog standard Sony Hi-Fi Amplifier and the Dolby button on the Amp is permanently engaged because it gives me the perception of better sound regardless of the characteristics of the source. Purely down to whatever Equalisation Profile it uses.

I don't feed Audio direct from the Foxsat to the Hi-Fi except for Radio('cos the TV is Off!), as the intensive processing in the TV creates an uncomfortable delay which would mean Audio leading Video if I took Audio direct to Amp. By taking sound from the TV, I get an acceptable result.

I don't have Digital Audio - so on reflection I should have omitted reference to Dolby.

So, delete "Dolby" and insert "Preset Equalisation Function" as that is the sole effect with my particular arrangement!

But the key issue is Volume, and I swear it never needs adjusting especially for BBC HD!
 
Hi Paul

Good point re: trying TV audio.

Results in equal amplitude all channels!

Amplitude variation through amp must be down to the fact that BBC HD transmits Dolby Audio Vs bog standard digital stereo for the other channels.

Why this results in the sound level variation when processed by the amp escapes me.
 
grasmith said:
Hi Paul

Good point re: trying TV audio.

Results in equal amplitude all channels!
Click to expand...

Sony TVs have an option to normalize all sound channels. I can't remember what they call it. It reduces the dynamic range so it can seem a bit false at times.

grasmith said:
Amplitude variation through amp must be down to the fact that BBC HD transmits Dolby Audio Vs bog standard digital stereo for the other channels.

Why this results in the sound level variation when processed by the amp escapes me.
Click to expand...

I assume you only have freesat?

If you have access to other satellites you will know the other broadcasters broadcast AC3 / Dolby Digital and bog standard mpga audio at the same level. The PC card just passes on what has been transmitted without altering it. So it really is just the BBC!
 
Thanks to all for your views and info.
 
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