Dialog Normalization

[Clark Kent]

This is the key piece from that article posted above, which glosses over a very real issue with dialogue normalization. It is the main reason why audiophiles do not like dial norm engaged at all.

Another concern that comes up is the notion that if the volume is being adjusted by the decoder (for any reason) in the digital domain, there is a reduction in quality (S/N ratio) from bit-width reduction. Audiophiles should actually appreciate that, when performed in the digital domain, the Dialnorm adjustment is extremely accurate. Dolby Digital is capable of 24 bit resolution. Thus, a volume reduction of 4 dB would mean a bit reduction of less than 1 bit.