softening audio contrasts

[lckeys]

I know, I know... 1) This post should probably be in the "audio" section, and 2) The answer is likely right in front of my face. So I apologize in advance. I looked through the audio section and it's just making my head spin.

I'm familiar with making backups, but I'm wondering if anyone can point me to an easy-to-use audio encoder with which I can fix my AC3 5.1 levels. I currently use DVDD/Shrink, or PgcEdit/Decrypter/VOBBlanker/Shrink for ARccOS titles, and was wondering if someone could link me to any downloads or guides on the audio end.

I always thought my surround system just sucked (which it does) and I'd have to live with screwing w/ the volume every time I need to hear a conversation, or if something explodes, respectively. If anyone out there could shoot me some info, that'd be swell.

P.S. @Mods - if this needs moved to the Audio section, my apologies for not posting there to begin with.

[charleski]

This is the sort of problem that Dolby Digital's built-in Dynamic Range Compression is supposed to fix. Take a look at your surround amp manual and see if there's a setting for this, as that will solve your problem.

[lckeys]

I've tried setting the "dynamic contrast" mode - I've even gone in and manually adjusted my speaker levels. My center channel's up all the way, and everything else is set at 2 (10 being max). That didn't help, either.

[CWR03]

I'm kind of curious myself why you didn't post it in the audio forum, since it clearly belongs there and has nothing to do with decrypting, but...

On what are you playing your copies? A standalone player?

[lckeys]

I kinda figured this could be included as part of the whole ripping/encoding process, and I'm a flaming idiot. There's a couple reasons why this is in the wrong section. Like I said, the Mods are more than welcome to transfer this thread over there.

I'm currently using a Koss C220 (standalone) home ent. system, if that helps at all. And like I stated earlier, I've tweaked just about everything I could on that system with no results.

[charleski]

Page GB26 of the manual shows how to set the DRC to 'night-time listening'. Have you set that?

[lckeys]

yes, that's the first thing I tried.

It's set to night time and I set all the speaker levels as follows:

Center - 10
L/R Front - 2
L/R Rear - 2
SubW - 4

Maybe I just need to save up for a better Dolby Decoder/Surround system.
I just thought there might be a software-based solution to fix it before the burn.

[charleski]

I assume you have the same problem with pressed (ie store-bought) DVDs as well.

It sounds like the DRC mode of your amp is messed up and stuck on maximum, complain to the people from whom you bought it. No point altering the DRC of your backups, as those will end up not playing properly on other systems.