TrueHD sounds quiet...

[borninusa]

Originally Posted by Johk

Weird...
In the manual for the STR-DA2100ES (p.42 us version), the 3 options are "STD", "MAX" or "OFF". "OFF" being the proper choice in that case...

If there is not "off" then the proper option should be something like "FULL" (for full dynamic range) or "WIDE" (for wide dynamic range).

I got sidetracked...but I am going to check it out right now.

Very appreciated.

[Aries64]

Originally Posted by borninusa

Okay.. was just checking out the settings on both the 550 and the reciever.
I see that the Sony has a DRC setting...but there is no 'off' on it..unless I am missing it. You can set it to 'auto'..'standard'..and 2 other ones which escape me. But there is no 'off' that I can see.

As far as the reciever...I dont see a 'night mode' on it..again...unless I am blind..and that could be the case.

Any thoughts?

I shouldnt say Iron Man sounded bad...but like the last poster said..lacks oomph.

As the 550 doesn't have an "Off" setting for DRC, you need to set the 550 to "Wide Range" (as in Dynamic Range).

As far as "Night Mode" goes I'm not familiar with your receiver, but if your receiver features "Night Mode" look at the remote that came with the receiver - it probably has a "Night Mode" button. If you think about it, it makes more sense to have the feature control on the remote.

I sort of doubt that your receiver has a Night Mode button since you don't see one. I know that my STR-DA4300ES doesn't have a Night Mode button.

Keith

[borninusa]

Originally Posted by Johk

Weird...
In the manual for the STR-DA2100ES (p.42 us version), the 3 options are "STD", "MAX" or "OFF". "OFF" being the proper choice in that case...

If there is not "off" then the proper option should be something like "FULL" (for full dynamic range) or "WIDE" (for wide dynamic range).

Okay..checked it out. It was already set to "off".

I dont know...my settings seem to be correct. LIke I said..the movie is great...PQ is wonderful...and AQ isnt that bad. When I put something like Incred Hulk in and be wowed by it..and the next day put Iron Man in...I just wasnt 'wowed' at all. Its just not an impressive mix to me.

I do thank everyone for the thoughts though. I am slowly learning this stuff.

[Siri]

I thought Iron Man was lacking when I watched it as well, never thought about the DRC I turned it off and will see what difference I hear later. Thanks!

[borninusa]

Originally Posted by Aries64

As the 550 doesn't have an "Off" setting for DRC, you need to set the 550 to "Wide Range" (as in Dynamic Range).

As far as "Night Mode" goes I'm not familiar with your receiver, but if your receiver features "Night Mode" look at the remote that came with the receiver - it probably has a "Night Mode" button. If you think about it, it makes more sense to have the feature control on the remote.

I sort of doubt that your receiver has a Night Mode button since you don't see one. I know that my STR-DA4300ES doesn't have a Night Mode button.

Keith

Out of curiosity...why not keep it to "auto"? The 550 I mean.

[Siri]

WOW I just tried V for Vendetta and turning off DRC made all the difference in the scene on the rooftop near the beginning, going to try Iron Man now

[aramis109]

Don't forget with Iron Man- if you're Bitstreaming, even though it's set to "Off", there's a flag that'll turn it back on. After the movie starts, make sure you check your receiver and turn it back off.

If you're doing PCM, this isn't an issue.

I totally disagree with anyone who says this title lacks oomph and would say that your DRC is kicking on or is already on.

[micks_address]

is there a drc setting on the ps3? i know there's a setting that mentions something about boasting dialog with dolby digital soundtracks... i have this enabled... and i noticed is does make a big difference...i have a sony dg910 receiver feeding it pcm from the ps3 via hdmi... i havent found a night mode setting on the receiver or the remote or any mention of a drc setting... should there be one there as well? also the volume increments on the receiver go from 1 - 100.. i usually listen to pcm/dts master audio around the 40 mark... but with truehd.. i often find it going to 45...

of course when the house is empty i go up another 10 or so for either..

[Johk]

Originally Posted by micks_address

is there a drc setting on the ps3?

Go to the [Video Settings] (previously named [BD/DVD Settings]) under Settings. You will have this option:

BD / DVD Dynamic Range Control

Enable or disable your PS3™ system's dynamic range control feature when playing a BD or DVD containing audio recorded in Dolby audio (Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD). This setting is for use only when Linear PCM audio format is selected as the audio output format.‎
Automatic Turns the feature on or off automatically.

Off Disables dynamic range control.
On Enables dynamic range control.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by BStecke

TrueHD tracks are typically recorded at lower volume than DTS, which tend to run "hot." SirTerrence, a sound insider here, if I remember correctly said that TrueHD are typically recorded at reference levels, while DTS is slightly higher. Just turn it up. It's all the same. 3 or 4 db should do it.

3to 4db from what?

[Michael.Schinke]

Originally Posted by saprano

3to 4db from what?

From whatever level you think is too low. Basically, if it's too quiet for your tastes, turn up the volume. As long as the sound quality and dynamic range of the original master are intact, the listening volume is all relative.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by Michael.Schinke

From whatever level you think is too low. Basically, if it's too quiet for your tastes, turn up the volume. As long as the sound quality and dynamic range of the original master are intact, the listening volume is all relative.

Movies with TrueHD i have turn my reciever up way to high, i had to turn it up to -15 when watching the dark knight to get good sound. i dont have to do that with dts, aint the reciever working twice as hard with the volume that high?

[saprano]

Sony doesn't use dialnorm correct? There movies sound different from the rest.
I'll admit the movie 21 is a great TrueHD mix, dialog sounds perfect, thats one movie i dont have to turn up to high.

[ClaytonMG]

Originally Posted by saprano

Sony doesn't use dialnorm correct? There movies sound different from the rest.
I'll admit the movie 21 is a great TrueHD mix, dialog sounds perfect, thats one movie i dont have to turn up to high.

Nope, Sony hasn't used Dialnorm (someone said Casino Royale did but it was 4db louder than what it should be, like a DTS track is).

Also, your reciever working harder is hardly an issue. I am guessing your reciever goes up to like +10 or something along those lines depending on what your speaker settings are. It should be able to handle -15 without an issue. But like it's been said, Paramount titles are quieter than WB titles.

[BStecke]

I don't understand the fear people have of turning the volume up, like even a difference of 10 db is going to damage something. It's not like you're going to damage your speakers, since the sound output is the same as another codec at a lower level, so that's irrational as well. As long as you're using quality equipment, you could listen to it at 0 and it should be fine. If I'm correct, a THX certified receiver should output "reference level" at 0db which, for calibration purposes, is what you "should" be listening at. Obviously this is way too loud for most home applications. I believe the THX 0db reference level is info I got from SirTerrence as well. That guy's a fountain of audio information. Just turn the volume up and forget about it.

[ClaytonMG]

Originally Posted by BStecke

I don't understand the fear people have of turning the volume up, like even a difference of 10 db is going to damage something. It's not like you're going to damage your speakers, since the sound output is the same as another codec at a lower level, so that's irrational as well. As long as you're using quality equipment, you could listen to it at 0 and it should be fine. If I'm correct, a THX certified receiver should output "reference level" at 0db which, for calibration purposes, is what you "should" be listening at. Obviously this is way too loud for most home applications. I believe the THX 0db reference level is info I got from SirTerrence as well. That guy's a fountain of audio information. Just turn the volume up and forget about it.

That is correct. And now THX has Loudness Plus which is really a nifty thing.

http://www.thx.com/technologies/loudness_plus.html

But people's recievers go as loud as they do for a reason. You're not going to damage them by turning up the sound 10db.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by ClaytonMG

Nope, Sony hasn't used Dialnorm (someone said Casino Royale did but it was 4db louder than what it should be, like a DTS track is).

Also, your reciever working harder is hardly an issue. I am guessing your reciever goes up to like +10 or something along those lines depending on what your speaker settings are. It should be able to handle -15 without an issue. But like it's been said, Paramount titles are quieter than WB titles.

Yea i always thought the the higher you put it the more work it does, i guess not. i figured sony didn't use dialnorm cause i never i have turn it up as high like other TrueHD titles.

My reciever actually goes up to +18.

[gandley]

out of interest, why would Iron Man be flagged to turn DRC on when bitstreaming?

I didnt notice the above but when playing iron man via the PS3 the sound is great but when bitstreaming from the Panasonic BD35 it sounds flat and missing impact. will have to check if my denon is engageing DRC.

[Jeff Kleist]

Movies with TrueHD i have turn my reciever up way to high, i had to turn it up to -15 when watching the dark knight to get good sound. i dont have to do that with dts, aint the reciever working twice as hard with the volume that high?

Your receiver is only working as hard as the sound it generates. Think of the volume dial as setting a ceiling, and other volumes are increased relative to that ceiling. The power its using is in direct relation to the loudness it's putting out.

out of interest, why would Iron Man be flagged to turn DRC on when bitstreaming?

Because the file on the disc itself is flagged with DRC, and that file is the one being bitstreamed

[gandley]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Because the file on the disc itself is flagged with DRC, and that file is the one being bitstreamed

Ok, so maybe im being dim here but why would they encode it that way with the DRC flag??

for what purpose other than to annoy me!!