Sound Advice
\nBy Don Lindich<\/p>\n
Week 41, 2007<\/p>\n
Q: \u00a0 I \u00a0recently purchased a new Phillips 47″ LCD TV from Costco and \u00a0had their installation service install it. \u00a0 \u00a0I have an HD DVR converter box from Comcast and everything is connected with new HDMI cables. \u00a0 I love it except there is \u00a0a very large \u00a0sound difference between the regular digital channels and the HD channels. \u00a0 When I go from a regular channel to an HD channel, \u00a0the sound is much lower. \u00a0 \u00a0Everything works great with a stunning HD picture once I re-adjust the sound.<\/p>\n
I have called the Phillips, Comcast and Costco tech support reps and no one can help me, although Phillips and Costco guys want to point to Comcast. \u00a0 \u00a0I am thinking about insisting Comcast give me a new box, but I hate to lose some saved DVR concerts.<\/p>\n
Before I strain myself taking the TV back to Costco, thought I would give you a shout after seeing your column in a local newspaper. Enjoy your blog very much.
\n-Larry Grigsby, Santa Cruz, Ca.
\nA: \u00a0 No one is at fault here… not Comcast, Philips, or Costco. \u00a0 \u00a0What you are experiencing \u00a0is typical and happens to everyone I know, myself included. \u00a0 \u00a0HD signals play at lower levels compared to other channels. \u00a0 For example, on my system with Dish Network when I am watching HD and go to a non-HD channel, the jump in volume just about sends me out of my chair, it is so much louder. \u00a0 When I go from a standard channel to an HD channel, it is playing so softly that I can barely hear it. \u00a0 Either way, I am reaching for the volume button whenever I \u00a0change between \u00a0HD channels to standard channels.<\/p>\n
The reasons this happens is because HDTV sound is broadcast in Dolby Digital, which is different than the system used for standard television. \u00a0 \u00a0Dolby Digital has \u00a0more dynamic range, meaning it can preproduce a \u00a0range of sounds from soft to loud. \u00a0 The starting volume \u00a0level is lower to accomodate this expanded range.<\/p>\n
I’m afraid you are stuck with \u00a0the varying volume \u00a0until \u00a0all of the \u00a0channels are broadcast in HD or the cable and satellite systems decide to \u00a0raise the reference broadcast volume of HD channels, if they are able to do so at all. \u00a0 I am going to do some research on this and report more on my blog and in a future column.<\/p>\n
Q: \u00a0 I am finally ready to take the plunge into the HDTV world with a new plasma HDTV. \u00a0 I have basic cable and HD programming is not included. \u00a0 My solution is the Zenith Silver Sensor antenna which you have recommended in the past. \u00a0 With my expanded basic cable and this indoor antenna, will I still enjoy the benefits of HDTV as I would with an upgraded Digital\/HDTV cable or satellite package? \u00a0 Would I have access to all HD programming such as ESPN, Fox Sports Net PGH, Discovery and the local HD channels?<\/p>\n
-Geoff Graeb, Scott Township, PA<\/p>\n
A: \u00a0 \u00a0With this setup \u00a0you will get whatever you currently \u00a0get with cable, and broadcast HD channels from CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, etc. tuned from the antenna. \u00a0 You will not get ESPN HD, Discovery HD, or the other HD channels as they are sent over cable, not the airwaves for the antenna to receive. \u00a0 Personally, if you get the TV I’d look to get the HD cable or satellite. \u00a0 It’s worth paying a bit more to get all those channels and really enjoy HDTV.<\/p>\n