Vintage HiFi Audio Forum

Audio Discussion => DIY => Topic started by: bearjew on February 14, 2014, 04:23:41 PM

Title: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: bearjew on February 14, 2014, 04:23:41 PM
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 (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.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: TNRabbit on February 14, 2014, 10:42:39 PM
Where's the fun in that??
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on February 15, 2014, 03:20:09 AM
So, do you run your TV audio in stereo or 5.1?
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: MacGeek on February 15, 2014, 06:09:13 AM
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.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: treos33 on February 15, 2014, 10:32:34 AM
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.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: bearjew on February 15, 2014, 04:12:58 PM
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.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: TNRabbit on February 15, 2014, 04:42:58 PM
Headphones...
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on February 15, 2014, 04:51:17 PM
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.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: schwarcw on February 15, 2014, 05:31:32 PM
A lot of the newer TVs, even the cheaper ones have settings on the audio menu that will compress the dynamics.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: bearjew on February 16, 2014, 10:29:16 AM
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
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: MacGeek on February 16, 2014, 02:05:36 PM
Stick to movies-no commercials generally solves the problem.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: bearjew on February 16, 2014, 05:55:59 PM
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.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: MasterBlaster on February 16, 2014, 07:43:45 PM
Diy plans
http://pira.cz/hlimste.htm (http://pira.cz/hlimste.htm)
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: OldiesButGoodies on February 16, 2014, 07:55:10 PM
WHAT???


Dynamic range in movies is what makes them rock.  I guess to each his own,  different tastes for different people.   
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: MasterBlaster on February 16, 2014, 08:13:52 PM
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/ (http://www.instructables.com/id/TV-Volume-Loudness-Guard-using-Arduino/)
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: Anders on February 16, 2014, 08:44:34 PM
I agree, its the dynamic range that makes movie sound more interesting.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: bearjew on February 16, 2014, 09:52:30 PM
i don't have a problem with dynamics.  i have a problem with the way these tards seem to utilize it.  there's no reason for some of these extreme changes.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: BB3 on February 19, 2014, 04:03:09 PM
Sorry for the trouble you are having. Most newer equipment such as A/V Receivers and Processors utilize a little gem called Dolby Volume which takes care of that issue you are having automatically.
That being said, even older equipment, once you dive deeper into their vast menu sections, will have setting provisions for each of your individual inputs, such as.....Tv, cable box, blu-ray, dvd,etc.

Try looking into that and let me know how things turn out.-------------Take Care, Bill Blake
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on February 19, 2014, 07:29:16 PM
i don't have a problem with dynamics.  i have a problem with the way these tards seem to utilize it.  there's no reason for some of these extreme changes.

Yes, I don't think you are looking for compression as much as you are peak limiting.   The FCC put some rules in place a while back, but of course nobody enforces them.
Title: Re: TV/Movie audio sucks, and I'm trying to fix it.
Post by: bearjew on February 20, 2014, 12:59:12 AM
Yes, I don't think you are looking for compression as much as you are peak limiting.   The FCC put some rules in place a while back, but of course nobody enforces them.

I know I want peak limiting, but I'm definitely looking for compression.  I never watch TV and expect audio quality; I just want a handle on the volume.  If I watch anything that has high-quality audio, I most likely won't be pulling sound from my TV, thus bypassing this unit.  But for the garbage that comes from the TV, I want this to keep my levels even.