LCD TV Abysmal sound quality

This may be related, but I'll let you decide... I have a Sony WEGA HD TV with a 9X16 picture tube (no flat screen). Also I have a fairly high-end DVD player.

When ever I play a DVD, people talking at a normal level has such low volume that I have to turn the sound up almost all the way to hear what they're saying. However, when the truck full of bad guys smash through the wall, I have to make a mad dash for the controller to turn down the volume--it's either that or get lynched by the neighbors.

I'm guessing this problem is caused by sending 5-1 (or 7-1) audio into just two speakers on my TV. I get the feeling that if I had the proper multi-channel sound setup, talking would get its own channel and be louder, while the crash through the wall would reside on a different channel, which wouldn't be quite so loud.

Del: There is no way around it, you'll have to buy an audio amp and speakers - unless you are willing to settle for a pair or a set of PC speakers - which are usually amplified (self-contained). As you said, you need a viable 'Line-In' port.

Vermin: All you have to do to fix it, is to go to your DVD-setup, choose 'audio setting' or similar, and check the 'stereo output' option. Usually, for stereo or 'stereo-mix' output, the speakers hook to the 'front' left and right ports. While some 5.1 and 7.1 amps are available, they are not cheap, and their speakers installation and setup can be a bit of a hassle.

I for one, have a 5.1 amp (Aiwa AV-D58), but I set my DVD for 'stereo' output and hook my amp to two big-ass PA speakers

The cure is sound leveling and here or search at cnet

So far I've kept the big old speakers and added a ps3, Benq near projector and put the wires in a raceway when I couldn't feasibly run them under the floor.

check this out http://www.homecontrols.com/Automatic-TV-Sound-Regulator-CATVSR

Thanks for the input guys.
The short term solution looks like being, bring the big old CRT set (which has decent sound) back into the living room. Take the LCD and put it in the skip music room playing through the Hi-Fi.
Of course I've told Mrs Cat that this entails vast amounts of work.
When I get round to replacing the big old CRT job, I shall at least be forewarned this time.
Del

Woo hoo, the LCD looks better in the music room and playing it through the Hi-Fi is brill, It's making want to get another amp for t'other telly now, I've got some spare speakers (havn't we all? No be honest...you thought they'd come in handy didn't you?)
Del

Based on my experience with DIY repairs, if you ever want the on-board sound working:

First inspect the speaker wires for loose rivets/connectors, as this takes little time. This is not likely, as you did not complain of one bad channel, but it fits if there is a common ground wire/post from both speakers to the circuit board.

The next thing I would look for is a leaking, bulging (around the legs) capacitor.

Otherwise, this sounds like a problem with a "cold" solder joint. (High signal levels ark across the oxides.) You will need a magnifying glass (or jeweler's loop) to find the crystallized solder. The most likely point is where something massive is soldered, like the large solder tab on the monolithic amp chip, or some other heavy lug like a connector. There will be a minuscule gap between the solder and the tinned lead, or a variation in the radius of the solder, or an unusually dull or grey bit of solder.

Finally, you may also tap the board with a tool made of an insulator. If it is tap-sensitive, you may be able to narrow it down. However this requires power; and that could be very hazardous.

Thanks, but it's not that sort of problem, it's a design problem with mechanical resonance and a (presumably) class D amplifier.
If it was a clear 'fault' I would take it back, it's rather subjective, and as the 'spec says 2%thd I would have difficulty proving a fault...I also expect that if I took it back and swapped it for another set, the performance would be similar.
Del

There are some wacko Hi-Fi audio systems out there:

Del,

You are not alone here.

My wife and I grumble frequently at specific programmes relating to very poor sound quality on TV.

We had come to the conclusion that it is specific programmes that are to blame. I now do not recall whether the situation was better with the old CRT set, but believe that it was similar.

I will be writing to the Beeb and ask the question; this way it might just come out that the programmes is not to blame but it is equipment that is. Who knows, but the more folk that write in the more chance we have to get a response. Anyone willing to join in?

Our worst programme for this at this moment is Silent Witness where the occassional drop to a whisper reduces intelligibility to almost zero and destroys the value of the programme.

Sleepy

Loads of people complain about the loud advert thing...I remember hearing some fatuous 'explanation' from some ITV spokesman...complete tosh of course.
I think it's a classic case of the consumer being fobbed off with "It's new so it must be better" also being fobbed off with the modern concept of (pauses to spit on floor) "Customer Service" generally a missnomer if ever there was. It's increasingly a triumph of presentation over content....(hmmm applies to politics too).
Del

PS. I just E-mailed a complaint about the 6 Nations trailer...
Funny you should mention Silent Witness that was the very prog which caused is problems, deep African voices at a whisper...perfect for setting up resonance on the LCD telly.

Did any of you hear PM (Radio 4 news programme 1700 - 1800 each weekday) on Wednesday when they talked about the programme to advert sound ratio and had a proper sound expert come on and explain what's going on and how they measurement criteria are going to change.

Currently everything is measured by the PPL - Peak Power Level method. The adverts conform to this. However, their average power level tends to be significantly higher than that of the programmes - and the human ear registers average levels more significantly than it does peak levels. The advertisers tend to use higher levels of compression in the recording too.

The standards are being changed, so advertisers won't be able to get away with this anymore.

Doesn't solve Del's naff design quality issue, though.

On a related subject, has anyone lese noticed how the volume of radio programmes varies throughout the day?

I don't have a TV, so listen to a lot of radio and the one in the kitchen is on a timer (with no override). I oftenhave to turn the volume down in the evening so I can't hear it upstairs, only to get p the next morning to find I can barely hear the thing when I'm standing next to it. I have noticed this change from one programme to the next on odd occasions.

If it is a class D or E amp for midrange frequencies, that's just awful sad ("Who sold you this then?" - John Cleese). I think that only works well for sub-woofers.

Resonance could be worked around by disconnecting the speakers, and running leads to external speakers...

I recommend a PC 2.1 speaker system. They plug right into your TV's headphone jack or its audio output ( using RCA adapters).

I use an ALtec Lansing. Here is a web site:

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-10426790-269.html

You can get an fm transmitter that plugs into your headphone outlet, or adapt it for rca jacks audio out for about $5.00 send your tv's audio out to the transmitter, then transmit to a stereo, walkman, or other audio device and listen through that, without wires all over. Dont buy expensive wireless speakers or headphones. , this works just as well, for $5.00

For leveling out the volume, you might want to send your tvs audio out through a little device metal detectorists use called a depthmaster. This is an audio signaling leveling device that increases low volume signals and reduces high volume signals. They cost about $100 though. There is no reason it should not work on tv audio. It plugs into a headphone jack and has an output for headphones on the other side. Only the mfg knows how it is made, as it is encased in a cube of solid epoxy type material to hide the secret.

That'll be a compressor then...

Most TVs have crappy sound, due to tiny cheap speakers. You need a "home theater in a box" (HTIB). This will have the power and decent speakers you need. Prices in the USA range from $100 to $1000 or more. Check amazon.com, or just Goggle thib. Make sure the audio connection matches your TV output (coaxial, optical, etc).

I'd be delighted to have HMS Vanguard in my living room (although the heating bills would be a bit steep), even if HMS Victorious is my favourite.

According do QI <OK, all sentient beings can stop reading>, the guns on HMS Belfast are trained on Scatchwood Service Station. Makes South Mimms look quite attractive. There's a little known one outside Folkestone, and when googling it I got this ! "Britain's hidden service station" was all I did. Can't even think what it's called.....today is just one of those days when I'm getting into trouble . Good job I don't talk about washing machines

Kris,

Your private mail seem to be nonexistent: