TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.

[bearjew]

As you all probably know, dynamics can make or break any audio.  A recording with good dynamics can go a long way.  As far as I'm concerned, however, dynamics ruin movies and television.  Whenever there is a quiet scene, you have to turn your volume up, and then when an explosion happens, it's way too loud.

I picked up one of these: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-autocom-pro-xl-mdx1600-compressor
I got it dirt cheap on ebay, and I'm going to hook it up between my TV and my preamp.  TV audio already sucks for the most part, so it's not like this thing can really make it any worse.

My goal is to basically obliterate the dynamic range using the compressor, and then stop commercials from getting stupid loud by using the limiter.

Will report back with results once it comes in and gets hooked up.

[TNRabbit]

Where's the fun in that??

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

So, do you run your TV audio in stereo or 5.1?

[MacGeek]

BJ-if you have an A/V pre/pro, it should have a "late night" or similarly labeled button which does what you are trying to achieve.

[treos33]

What do you have doing the digital to analog conversion? I know you're anti-surround sound but most television today is broadcast in digital 5.1. My guess is there is some shitty hardware in either  your cable box or tv that is creating a terrible mix-down to stereo. I doubt adding a compressor will help... enjoy listening to compressed shit.

[bearjew]

It's just stereo. I'm not worried about quality though. TV audio sucks to begin with, I just want to stop the huge dynamic changes.

Mg, I change preamps too often for that solution haha.

I'm not looking to improve the sound, I'm just looking to stop waking everyone up at night when I'm watching netflix.

[TNRabbit]

Headphones...

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

It's just stereo. I'm not worried about quality though. TV audio sucks to begin with, I just want to stop the huge dynamic changes.

Mg, I change preamps too often for that solution haha.

I'm not looking to improve the sound, I'm just looking to stop waking everyone up at night when I'm watching netflix.

I was curious if the compression would affect the encoding.   I guess I'll have to find some other Guinea Pig.

[schwarcw]

A lot of the newer TVs, even the cheaper ones have settings on the audio menu that will compress the dynamics.

[bearjew]

A lot of the newer TVs, even the cheaper ones have settings on the audio menu that will compress the dynamics.

True, but this will allow me to be more modest about it.  I'm not opposed to having dynamics; I'm opposed to having to change my volume every 2 minutes haha

[MacGeek]

Stick to movies-no commercials generally solves the problem.

[bearjew]

Stick to movies-no commercials generally solves the problem.

Actually, movies are my biggest complaint.  These idiots who do the sound in movies today try to be artistic by providing a HUGE dynamic range.  It's really annoying, to me at least.  This should fix it.

[MasterBlaster]

Diy plans
http://pira.cz/hlimste.htm

[OldiesButGoodies]

WHAT???

Dynamic range in movies is what makes them rock.  I guess to each his own,  different tastes for different people.   

[MasterBlaster]

Here's this arduino based solution which doesn't seem practical but kind of interesting though.

It listens to the sound level in the room and adjusts the TV volume via ir. Seems like other noises could interfere..

http://www.instructables.com/id/TV-Volume-Loudness-Guard-using-Arduino/