Question:
Need suggestion for audio control in home theater, please.?
ne0heli0s
2012-10-31 22:11:30 UTC
I basically have the problem when watching movies on my (low budget) home theater setup where dialog volume is very low, and action scene volume is too high. As a result, I'm constantly changing the volume on the remote to keep up with the volume changes.

My setup simply consists of an audio/video signal sent to a receiver (Sony STR-DH100 2-Channel Audio Receiver) where the audio is sent via the 'common' bare-metal speaker wires to my speakers (Sony SSF-5000 Floor Standing 3-way Speaker (Pair)).

I would have considered a volume control device (Audiovox Terk VR1 Automatic TV Volume Controller) that accepts RCA, and additionally connect RCA-to-speaker wire converters, but I suspect this is overkill, and it would only work for one input. I need to be able to use all inputs, so this would not work.

Optimally, I suspect that I would need a device that can accept speaker wire output from the stereo, level the volume, and output speaker wire to the speakers. I would prefer to keep my budget to under $100, but if purchasing a higher quality receiver is the preferable option, then I may go as high as $300, as long as the problem is fixed.

Also willing to entertain the possibility that the problem is happening 'upstream' with the audio/video device such as the Roku or the DVD player. I wouldn't be surprised if audio quality is 'lost in translation' when read from its source (whether streaming or DVD) to such an extent that the player device is not passing the audio though equally on all bands. Perhaps in these cases I potentially COULD use the RCA solution (the Terk, from above) before the audio signal even gets TO the receiver. At any rate, I'm just speculating here.

What kind of volume control solution may be suggested to fix my problem so that I do not have to constantly adjust the volume during movies?
Three answers:
Grumpy Mac
2012-11-01 08:25:51 UTC
You have a real mish-mash of gear and you are trying to use a stereo system for sound designed in a 5.1 world.



(sigh)



All Dolby Digital receivers have adjustments that let you add/subtract some volume for the center speaker (dialog track) and each rear speaker. If you had one of these (they have been making these since 1995) - we would tell you to just add a few DB of volume to the center.



But you do NOT have one of these receivers and you do not even have a center speaker.



And you want to spend $100.



And you think the problem is 'upstream'.



(double sigh)



Your real problem - you need to scrap your old-school stereo gear. But the cheapest, real 5.1 system I know of is about $400 - one of the Onkyo Home Theater box sets from amazon.



Alternative solution:



Get your cash in hand.



Start watching your local Cragislist under the Electronics section. You are looking for:



* A name-brand (Yamaha, Onkyo, Pioneer) 5.1 AV Receiver

* Some junky speaker to use as a center speaker or better - 3 speakers that are part of a set



Ideally you could find a used Yamaha RX-V6 series AV receiver. It has some extra processing that will allow you to use 1,2,3,5,7 speakers. You would tell it you just have 2 large speakers , then you can bump the center volume and actually use the auto-calibration feature and the receiver will adjust things properly for your room, your speakers and your seating distance.



Even if you do not find the better Yamaha receiver - any good 5.1 receiver + a center speaker will probably solve your problem.



Hope this helps.



EDIT:



If the Craigslist ad shows a picture of a stack of gear with the AV Receiver on the bottom, a CD player stacked right on top, then a DVD player, then .. other gear - avoid this seller. He has 'cooked' his AV receiver by stacking stuff on top of it.



You can get some great values from used gear if you are careful. But you can get someones problem gear as well.
Joshua
2012-11-01 05:46:16 UTC
I would suggest that if you will go up to 300 dollars to get a device to fix the issue, why not get a real receiver? You can but a home theater in a box set up with a 3D bluray player. Or even a 5.1 surround receiver for a good price on amazon
?
2016-08-01 17:34:59 UTC
Hi. Some of the great films for sight and sound were truely made in the 60's and 70's although to-days science used to be now not on hand back then. There's nonetheless a lot of rear understanding in them which was typically recorded unintentionally .I totally suggest them particularly when you've got a projection and display.These are my favoroute 5 GRAND PRIX. (1966) A remarkable film in regards to the 9 formulation One races within the European Grand Prix .You might be correct in the center of the motion journeying almost 200 miles an hour and the 6 channel soundtrack envelopes you in sound.Some scenes are filmed with a remote manipulate camera which moves from in the back of the driver out over the front wheel turns back for a part view earlier than again behind the driving force once more at 200 miles per hour on a steeply banked circuit Filmed in 70 MM tremendous Cinerama the race scenes(and crashes ) are first rate. Steve Mc Queens' La Mons film and Days of Thunder are not any suit for Grand Prix. TOMMY. 1975 A Rock Opera via The who is a film a few deaf dumb and blind boy who becomes a Pinball Champion The visible results are lovely and simply maintain coming .The usual soundtrack used to be recorded in 5 channel "Quintophonic"sound.It is a visual and sonic masterpiece to show off your process. 2001: a space ODYSSEY.1968. Stanley Kubrick 's visually stuning film about space,set to the track of Strauss and filmed in tremendous Panavision 70 MM.This movie is a ought to have for its wonderful visuals POLTERGEIST.1982.Steven Speilberg 's film about the supernatural.With visual effects through Industrial mild and Magic.Suspenseful ,frightening,witty and resourceful.Filmed in Panavision. THE BIRDS 1963. Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece about attacking birds earlier than the times of digital results there are 370 trick shots which simply appear extra "actual"than some of todays computerised photos..No tune handiest fowl sounds. Best pictures at the side of unnerving suspence, The Birds have stood the test of time.Completely recommened in case you like a horror film about birds.


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