Dialog track on DVD too quiet

I've got a commercial movie DVD and when I play it back using the default Apple DVD player, I notice that at any given time, the background music audio track is very loud, while the dialog is extremely quiet. Before I decide that it's a bad DVD and needs to be returned, I wonder if I'm missing some setting (Dolby or whatever): is there any way to bring up the volume of specific individual tracks from a DVD?
Mike

Is this a problem in Front Row or when you're using
the Apple DVD Player application?
Apple DVD player app.
What kind of speakers are you playing the audio with?
What kind of Mac do you have? Which version of Mac
OS X do you have? If you have a G5 with Mac OS X
10.3.9, you should probably post your question in a
different forum, as this is the Front Row forum.
I'm using a set of 2 external speakers, plugged into the Mac using an "earphone"-type jack. I have a G5 with OS X Panther (10.3.9). I understand that this isn't the perfect forum since I'm not using Front Row, but I didn't know a better one; I figured people who use Front Row would be the best to know about playback of DVDs and the multimedia experience on a Mac.
With that said, if you're only playing to stereo
speakers and your DVD is playing multi-track audio,
the dialog is often in the "center" speaker which your Mac
may not have. Perhaps the down-sampling of 5.1 channels
to only 2 channels is not focusing on the correct channel.
that sounds very right to me!
Does your DVD have an audio setting option to
switch to 2.0 stereo only?
not that I could find. It should be in the DVD menus, right? If not, is there a 3-rd party DVD player I should be using that controls this kind of stuff in software?
Thanks,
Mike

Similar Messages

  • Audio clips too quiet at max volume

    After putting audio from STP into an FCP project, some friends and I turned the volume all the way up in the audio editor window. Even after doing that, however, it's still way too quiet. Is there any other way to raise the volume so that the audio is loud enough?
    iBook G4   Mac OS X (10.4.7)   1.42 GHz Power PC G4 1GB DDR SDRAM

    I have never liked that "duplicate the track" to make it louder method. When you duplicate the track, you're also duplicating the noise floor, making the background noise twice as loud, too.
    If you've got the audio track open in Soundtrack Pro, use the compression plugin, or dynamics, or whatever they call it in Soundtrack (I use Cubase). Use that to bring the level up. What you'll also get with the compression plugins (not the same as video compression, don't worry about that) is it will bring the low level audio up and the high level audio down to even it out. It won't raise the noise floor as much because when audio drops below a certain level (set this right ABOVE your noise floor/room noise) it stops raising the low level audio. That way you have a more even level throughout the track. How does the mix of the announcers on the NFL on FOX always sound so good when it's live? Compression. Keep your levels in check.
    So use the compression plugins to even out your sound, maxing out at about -1db. Export it.
    Now, import that track into FCP and bring the level DOWN to -12ish.
    Much cleaner and audio way of raising levels. Duplicating the clip to make it louder is not the way an audio facility would do it. It's a quick video guy way of doing it. It does the job, but not well.

  • Headphone jack too quiet in replacement iPhones

    The lock screen button on my original iPhone started sticking, so I took it to the warranty service. They decided to replace it with a new one.
    The problem with the new unit was that the headphone jack was too quiet, and the phone was thinner. We verified this by comparing it to two other original 4S units.
    For sound, we used the the same track and the same headphones on all phones. You can really hear that my new replacement was at least twice as quiet. And yes, we've made sure all the settings and iOS / app versions are identical.
    As for the thickness, we tried my Olloclip on all the phones, and it straight up falls off the replacement unit, while holding firmly on the other ones. Also, made sure there were no screen protectors on either side of the iPhones.
    So, there you go, two of the main use cases for me are now impossible - photography and music.
    Took it back to the service. They confirmed the faults and replaced the phone again. With a unit with both of the same problems. When confronted again, they now declined, claiming the defects are not there. So on two separate occasions the service first confirmed, and then declined the very same faults.
    Has this happened to anyone? How do you go about this? Are the replacements sent by apple supposed to be like that?

    FYI, I bought the Griffin AutoPilot in order to hook our 4g nano to our car stereo and I didn't need the included audio cable. However I put it to use with our speakers in our bedroom which are simple ones that don't directly support the iPod. With the cable that came with the speakers we had this problem - couldn't plug in a dock cable and the audio cable at the same time. The audio cable that came with the AutoPilot has a much slimmer connector and it does the trick.

  • Z1C TOO quiet in headhones

    Dear Sony, now I'm a happy owner of a brand new Z1C and it's a really perfect gadget BUT for one thing - it's waaaay too quiet in headphones. I tried different models with different impendance and sensitivity characteristics to no avail.
    I then run it through my soundcard 1/4" jack along with my Iphone 5 and Cowon D2 under following conditions:
    - line input at soundcard remained untouched for all 3 devices
    - volume maxed out on test subjects
    - default players were used, all sound enhancers and EQs off
    - 20sec of same track played and recorded in adobe audition on a separate track for each device
    The resulting waveform and it's parameters are in the attached pics.
     D2
    IP5
    Z1C
    As you can see, Z1C with its volume maxed out turned out ~9 times quieter than Cowon D2 and ~3.5 times quieter than Iphone5 (as far as "percieved loudness" is concerned). But you got to be no sound engineer to tell how bad things are just by visual comparison of waveforms' amplitude...
    This makes me think of 3 possible reasons:
    1. I have some problems with my Z1C's audio hardware
    2. The volume on Z1C is limited by its hardware
    3. The volume on Z1C was somehow limited by firmware
    If it's no.3 - are there any ways to get rid of those limitations and make it sound louder?
    Would be thankful for any hints.
    Best regards,
    Denis

    Hello Richdog,
    I think the issue is the phone not different headphones, since the Volume is an ABSOLUTE measurement made by Denis... he probably used a 3.5mm Jack cable (line in) to plug to the computer and measure with the same audio file...
    So yes, maybe better headphones sound louder and better, but they will also be even louder on the compared deviced...
    I think sony did this on purpose to comply with Hearling Laws from different countries.... My Acro S is frequently displaying a Volume Warning that automatically drops the volume to about 50%... So maybe Sony put this limit as the 100% on the Z1 Compact.
    I hope this can be "fixed" in a future software update.

  • Narration too quiet with levels maxed out

    Hi! I'm trying to record narration in Premiere Elements 7 and despite my levels being maxed out, it's still way too quiet. I just purchased a Blue Snowball Ice USB mic. I also tried it with a non-USB mic and got the same result. I also tried recording through Soundbooth CS4 and it sounded the same. I've tried to adjust the levels both through Windows control panel and in the narration recorder window in Premiere but nothing helps. Any ideas?

    julieoolie
    Thanks for the follow up with the additional details.
    From your details, this is not a Premiere Elements issue. Rather it is an issue involving
    your computer sound system and equipment.
    If you were stuck with a bunch of low volume narration clips from whatever source, you could consider looking at
    at the the following which uses the free audio editor Audacity to increase volume (Amplitude)
    Audacity tutorial:making the sound track louder, increasingthe Amplitude, or normalizing the volume levels
    Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder
    Then you export the volume adjusted clips from Audacity (.wav or .mp4) and import them into the Premiere Elements project.
    But, the focus would appear to be on the system volume settings for recording and speakers. So, I am not sure if there is any
    merit in working with Audacity in a sound flawed system. You could try.
    There is a maneuver in Premiere Elements that you could look at when you have the audio clip volume at max 6 dB and the volume is not loud
    enough. Make copies of the audio clip and place the copies directly above one another on the audio tracks. Keep stacking them until
    you get the increased volume that you want.
    Please review and consider and then we decide what next.
    Thank you.
    ATR

  • Downloaded ringtones too quiet?

    i downloaded two tingtones to iphone but i can barely hear my phone ring when i use them --the normal tones are much louder someone suggested its due to the fact the iphone has a lousy speaker --music is inteneded to be listened through headphones. Any one else have this problem??

    I think that the difference comes from Dynamic Range Compression in the audio tracks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audiolevelcompression). I made one ringtone out of an old classical recording, and it is way too quiet. I made another one out of a more recent rock song, and it was plenty loud.
    I also think that the little built in speakers are better at playing certain frequencies than others. For example, songs with a lot of low end are going to sound very quiet because those portions are just getting left out.

  • Compressed audio is too quiet

    After compressing (150 minute DVD Best Quality), the audio that was once full sounding as a .mov from FCP, is now very quiet once compressed. I have to turn up TV to hear it. Any advice?

    Also, the -27 is so that when audio is mixed so that the stereo (or more) channels each are individually peaked at zero db, when summing them for mono (many TVs) you don't get +3 which is a digital over and is HORRIBLE.
    When mixing audio for video, 2.0, 4.0, 3/2, whatever, you really have to be concerned with various downmixing scenarios. For me, I always use the -27; I've experimented with the preprocessing stuff. One of my digital processors (Meridian 861) has an "AC3 AS MIX" setting that uses that preprocessing information to normalize the audio. Lots of Hollywood DVDs (and blurays, for that matter) set that flag and information. Then the audio is too quiet unless I use the "AC3 AS MIX" setting; but some stuff, like the DIsney Channel HD or the old Alien DVD set, if AS MIX is used, the sound basically disappears. It should never have been parts of the Dolby Digital standard, IMHO. DTS doesn't seem to need it
    Eddie O

  • Mixdowns are too Quiet

    Hello,
    I have a Macbook 2010 model, with iLife 11 garageband as the program I'm using to create .mp3 mixdowns of tracks.
    The issue I am having is my mixdowns are simply too quiet.
    I mix them using some Samson headphones and mix them in the program. I get all the effects and whatnot to the level I like. There is for example an instrumental followed by dubs or voice overs.
    Once I create the mixdown however, the .mp3 quality is really reduced and everything is just quieter.
    On my PC, I used a program named Cool Edit, and when creating a mixdown, and I never had a similar issue.
    When I play them in garageband, they sound louder, but when I play the mixdown back in itunes, it sounds very quiet when compared with any other .mp3 file downloaded on itunes or synced with itunes.
    Any ideas as to what is wrong?
    Appreciate any help guys, thanks.

    If you do clip a little bit, the auto normalize function works well for this.
    That's definitely wrong. The normalization is done after the mixdown. So if you have a clipped signal already, it will just become softer, but still have the ugly clipping sound.
    To make clear what auto-normalization means: It maxes out the loudest signal in the whole recording - one single spike can throw off the whole song. So if your auto-normalized song sounds too quiet, you should try to bring down those spikes with compression or limiting.

  • Audio is too quiet--can it be amplified?

    I occasionally download YouTube videos that have to do with history, for my history class (I'm a teacher) and I string them together and edit them in Final Cut Pro 5, then use iDVD to burn them to DVDs to show in class. Of course, the video is often lousy, but these are throwaway one-time-use videos anyway, and the narration is often more important than the picture.
    But sometimes I have a problem with the soundtrack of the video being too quiet to hear well, even with the audio volume line raised to the max in the timeline.
    Is there any way that I can raise the volume of these audio clips further in Final Cut, using an audio filter or something? I looked at all the audio filters in the menus, and I can't figure out what most of them do. I don't see any with "amplify" in their name. Can it be done somehow?
    Thanks for any help.
    Tom

    Hi Tom,
    An instance of the Compressor/Limiter filter will help to reduce the dynamic range of the clip ...
    Select your clip in the timeline, then choose Effects menu > Audio Filters > Final Cut Pro > Compressor/Limiter, then double click the clip to open it into the Viewer window. Now click the Filters tab in the Viewer so that you can adjust the filter settings. For your needs you'd probably want to first check the "Preserve Volume" checkbox, set the Ratio to about 10, then progressively reduce the Threshold until you achieve the desired level.
    By the way, when you play with audio filters its usually going to be necessary to hear the effect of the changes you're making in the filter in real time, right? So you'll want to be sure that you are playing through the clip in the timeline whilst you make these changes ... you might also want to loop that playback if its a short clip. An easy way to do this is to position the playhead over the clip and then press "X" to mark an In and Out point at the extents of the clip, then press "Control L" to toggle "Loop Playback" mode, and press "Shift Backslash" to "Play In to Out" ... the clip should play continuously now whilst you mess with the audio filter parameters as necessary.
    Hope it helps
    Andy

  • Lg cosmos 2 downloaded music is too quiet

    What could be the problem with music being too quiet, and how do I fix it?  I literally can barely hear it when I put my ear right next to the phone.
    Thank you.

    Hi.
    Thanks for replying.  I received the phone in October; just had it replaced a couple of weeks ago because it wasn't holding a charge.  Both phones do the same.  No protective case or cover.  Ring tones are nice and loud, phone "voice" is fine, I can hear my callers with no problem.  It's just the downloaded music that is so soft I can barely hear it.  I even tried moving a ring tone that was proven over to music folder to see what would happen.  It was soft there as well.  I've looked online for ideas but haven't found any help.

  • The music on my iPod plays at normal volume but the voices are too quiet to hear

    My iPod just started to play music at normal volume but the voices are too quiet to hear

    If you confirmed it is not due to a problem with the headphones
    - Try cleaning out/blowing out the headphone jack. Try inserting/removing the plug a dozen times or so. There is a little switch in the headphone jack that disconnects the speaker when the headphone jack is inserted.
    Try the following to rule out a software problem
    - Reset the iPod. Nothing will be lost
    Reset iPod touch: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
    least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
    - Reset all settings
    Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset All Settings.
    All your preferences and settings are reset. Information (such as contacts and calendars) and media (such as songs and videos) aren’t affected.
    - Restore from backup
    - Restore to factory settings/new iPod.
    - Make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store. Seems you have a bad headphone jack.
    Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

  • Voip phone\ BT Broadband softphone rings too quiet...

    Hi all
    I have a Sogatel Voip phone and the BT broadband talk softphone. 
    Here is some information on my internet connection. 
    Connection type Wireless
    Wireless Adapter         Buffalo Nfinity
    Network provider        BT Broadband
    Router                       BT Home Hub 2
    Encryption type           WPA2
    Internet browsers in use     Chrome and Firefox
    Firewall used     Zonealarm
    The router is in another room but is not too far away.
    Signal strength: excellent, 5 bars.
    Speed it connects at: 130 Mbps
    The connection is generally fine but It rings too quietly. Can anybody help me turn the volume and make it ring loudly because I don't know how to do this. 
    Thanks in advance. 

    You are currently in a 10 day line training period the important thing now is not to manually restart your hub and let the exchange equipment find you best speed and stability
    If you want to say thanks for a helpful answer,please click on the Ratings star on the left-hand side If the reply answers your question then please mark as ’Mark as Accepted Solution’

  • 6710 Navigator - Loudspeaker too quiet

    The loudspeaker is ok in a quiet room with no background noise but you can't use it outside or while driving (i.e. places you actually NEED it) as it is way too quiet (yes the volume is turned all the way up!). This is not right. Other Nokia phones have way louder loudspeakers. All the music and video plays loudly at an audible volume but voice calls are useless.
    Nokia Care have had the phone three times and can't fix it. They just keep saying the loudspeaker is working... Yeah it is "working" but it is not practical to use.
    Very frustrated. All Nokia needs to do is put out a firmware update to resolve this. Its called a LOUDspeaker not a QUIETspeaker.
    Anyone else had any luck?

    Exactly the same issue here! Fully updated firmware. The loudspeaker is ok in a quiet room with no noise but you can't use it outside or while driving as it is way too quiet. All the music plays loudly at an audible volume but voice calls are useless.
    Nokia care have had the phone three times and can't fix it. They just keep saying the loudspeaker is working... Yeah it is "working" but it is not practical to use.
    Very frustrated. All Nokia needs to do is put out a firmware update to resolve this.

  • Hp headset microphone is too quiet

    Hello, I just purchased an HP H2800 headset and i am trying to use it on skype. The Microphone is too quiet. i tried to setup the Mic in audio settings on Windows, but it fails.  Any suggestions?

    Hi
    I had the same issue with my Satellite U400 but on Vista. After updating the sound driver and BIOS the issue did still exist.
    After searching a little bit here in the forum I activated the microphone boost and this was the solution! :)
    1.Open the "Control Panel" (Standard view)
    2.Click on "Hardware and Sound"
    3.Click on "Sound"
    4.Click on the "Recording" tab.
    5.Mark the Microphone and then press on the "Properties" button.
    6.Click on the Custom tab and set the check by Microphone Boost
    Check this!!

  • My ringtone is too quiet

    WHen I export my GarageBand files to a ringtone, they always seem to be quieter than the other preset ringtones. I am using v2.0.6 on an iPad mini with 1.3 GB left, 16GB total. Will there be a fix/is there a workaround? Also, I would like to be able to delete my previous ringtones w/o a computer.
    Pointless Button

    lunastrixae wrote:
    1) Since I've bought it, people on the other end have a hard time hearing me. They say it sounds like I'm in a tunnel. I do not have a shell case on the phone, or my hand over the microphone. It's not dirty.
    If your phone is still under warranty, I'd make an appointment at the Genius Bar.
    2) The ringer, even cranked up with an obnoxious ringtone, is way too quiet. If the phone is in my jacket pocket, or more then 15 feet away I will never hear it. In contrast, my husband's el-cheapo free cell phone rings and I can hear it through my whole home.
    I find the audible rings to be very loud on the iPhone. If you're having problems hearing them, you may have a defective phone.

Maybe you are looking for