Audio Question

[tpetters]

One thing I have noticed when viewing HD programming is that the music and background sound level is VERY high, and the foreground voices are very very weak. I do not have a "home theater" sound system or surround sound, just the stereo speakers built into my set. Sometimes the music is so blaring that I cannot understand the dialog.

I realize that the sound is optimized for high end users, and I love the picture on my HD set, but I HATE HATE HATE the sound balance and may stop watching HD programs because of this. Buying a $urround $ound $ystem is NOT an option. HELP!

[Ratman]

First... check in your audio setup menus. Make sure that any/all sound 'enhancements' (SRS, surround, BBE, wide, etc.) is off/disabled.

If that doesn't help. See if you have any audio options for 'Dynamic Range Control'/night mode or something of that sort. Try enabling that...

[57U]

You didn't indicate the TV or the STB (if applicable). Sometimes the audio balance in the analogue audio is "better" for dialogue. Also some STBs have adjustments for analogue audio for "Narrow, normal, wide". Use Narrow.

It's probably on the DD5.1 programming where you notice this most. It may not be the HD, but DD5.1 that's doing it. See the FAQ "What's on in DD5.1".

[tpetters]

Thanks. I checked the STB, a Zenith HDV-420, and found an audio setting called "Audio Variable" (whatever that means). Turning that off has helped greatly.