Not exactly sure when it started. I was using factory defaults until DVD menu functionality was beta’d. Ever since I updated the firmware to that beta, and each build since then, I’ve noticed significant volume differences between the 5.1 audio tracks of the main film/episodes and the 2.0 tracks of the menus. I believe it’s the 5.1 tracks that are having the problem (they’re too quiet), and I have to turn up my receiver much higher than normal to properly hear the movie/show. Not so much of a problem if I’m watching a standalone movie file or episode from a disc, but if I’ve ripped the entire disc including menus, then when the the menus come on … it’s THIS FREAKING LOUD.
Love the WDTV Live and have loved it since I bought it. Even with occasional weirdness. Just wanted to figure this out and there doesn’t seem to be any posts about this. Was hoping someone else had experienced this and figured out why it was happening.
What you describe isn’t unusual. I’m not saying that there’s no problem in the WD, but 5.1 tracks are mixed with a MUCH HIGHER dynamic range than 2.0 tracks.
Out of curiosity, are you setting your WD to DIGITAL output or STEREO output?
… i have tested this is in a very “subjective” way.
When I’m watching DVDs with 5.1 audio, I usually have to turn the audio level on my Pioneer up to about 55 to 58.
I haven’t had to change the volume much since the very first beta.
What MIGHT be happening is that 2.0 is LOUDER than before; I’ll have to check on that, because I’m usually not sticking around in menus long enough to really notice the audio.
It might have something to do with just AC3 5.1 tracks. Yesterday when I got some time, I tested two different DVD’s. I used a rip from CSI Miami (with AC3 5.1 tracks) and a rip of the Muse: Absolution Tour DVD (LPCM audio track). The Muse DVD was perfectly balanced from menu to main movie.
The CSI disc showed a huge difference in volume between the menus and the main episode files. The menus use DD 2.0 audio tracks and the episodes use AC3 5.1.
This has nothing to do with my receiver, for sure. Other formats, like mkv files from my Blu-Rays do not suffer from this issue. What an odd thing to happen from a firmware update.
Immediately, go play a DVD. Does the problem happen with the very first DVD?
If not, it may be something else you’re watching that the WDTV is choking on, or setting up the audio processor in a different way, and forgetting to reset it, then it affects anything played after.
All I can say is I watched three DVDs last night (an episode of the West Wing, Star Trek NG, and the X-Files) and none exhibited that audio surge in menus any more than they have done since DVD nav was first introduced.
