Volume issues

[voripteth]

I have audio connected to my 942 by HDMI as well as optical TOSlink. I'm noticing a volume problem that is rather annoying and hope someone here can offer some insight.

When I watch a recorded movie in full Dolby digital I have to turn the volume very high to hear everything in the movie. Unfortunately as soon as I go back to normal viewing the volume just about blasts me out of my chair!

The odd thing is that when I use my TV speakers and the HDMI connection I don't have the same problem. I can hear things at the normal volume and going back to normal viewing isn't an issue.

Why is there such a volume difference between different outputs and different channels?

[Jon Spackman]

Its the same for any 5.1 digital output in my experience. It must have something to do with how the amplifier processes the surround signal. I find it on dvd, xbox, dvd-audio, etc.....

I don't think its dishes fault, and the HDMI is only 2 ch not surround (not yet for dish, may be with the mpeg-4 box soon)

[Mike Johnson]

My 942 is connected to my Sony ES receiver with toslink. I notice a volume difference between Dolby Digital 5.1 programs and 2 Ch programs, but not to the extent that you mention. What do you have for a receiver? How is the audio set on your 942? (Dolby only, PCM only or both?) Default is both. You might want to try Dolby only if it is set to both.

[voripteth]

My receiver is on Onkyo and my Dolby is set to be both I'm pretty sure. What difference will I see if I set it to Dolby only? If the show isn't broadcase in Dolby surround will I get any sound?

On my old audio setup I only had my DVD hooked up to 5.1 and that always required high volume as well. I guess it might be a normal aspect of Dolby Digital. I guess I'll have to try some things out.

My 942 is connected to my Sony ES receiver with toslink. I notice a volume difference between Dolby Digital 5.1 programs and 2 Ch programs, but not to the extent that you mention. What do you have for a receiver? How is the audio set on your 942? (Dolby only, PCM only or both?) Default is both. You might want to try Dolby only if it is set to both.

[Mike Johnson]

Hmmm. I was just trying this on my system, and the Dolby/PCM setting doesn't seem to do anything.

I was hoping that setting it to Dolby only would convert PCM audio to Dolby 2.0. No matter how I set that option on my 942 I get Dolby audio on Dolby programs and PCM audio on everything else.

Anyway, I was hoping you could change that setting so that all audio sent to your receiver would be Dolby, and hopefully that would help with your level differences. Too bad it doesn't seem to work.

Has anyone else tried changing this setting? (MENU-6-7) Does it work for you?