Episodic extreme volume (v6)

[ratmice]

I just want to get an idea about how many are experiencing unusual blasts of extreme volume. The times when I see this are typically with DD material and the change from 5.1 to 2.0. Last night I had an episode when switching from playing an SACD to TV viewing. During these episodes, not only is the volume increased, the sound is somewhat distorted, too. Additionally, the volume buttons do not seem to be as responsive in trying to lower the volume, as well. Switching to a different mode is a quick way of getting back to normal, but sometimes you just lose all audio when doing that.

On a side note, I accidentally switched to DSP while listening to the SACD and the sound was so distorted, I was afraid it might damage my drivers. Anyone seen this, either?

Thanks for your input.

[monkeypimp]

I have noticed for me that it only happens when watching recorded material on my Directv HR22(of course I never watch live TV, ever, So I don't know if it would happen then). But I will be skipping through the commercials and it will hit a commercial and BOOM super loud mostly from the rears then when I skip past that commercial and back to the programming the audio is again normal volume.

I did notice it happen on Nickelodeon while the kids were watching iCarly and the show itself was 90% out of the rear speakers and they had the volume set at 18.5db...where normal watching volume is 26db-35db.

[jvenard]

Apr 16, 2010 7:12:16 GMT -5 ratmice said:

I just want to get an idea about how many are experiencing unusual blasts of extreme volume. The times when I see this are typically with DD material and the change from 5.1 to 2.0. Last night I had an episode when switching from playing an SACD to TV viewing. During these episodes, not only is the volume increased, the sound is somewhat distorted, too. Additionally, the volume buttons do not seem to be as responsive in trying to lower the volume, as well. Switching to a different mode is a quick way of getting back to normal, but sometimes you just lose all audio when doing that.

On a side note, I accidentally switched to DSP while listening to the SACD and the sound was so distorted, I was afraid it might damage my drivers. Anyone seen this, either?

Thanks for your input.

YES
And it did blow 2 tweeters in my Mirage M1's
I am having a hell of a time trying to find tweeters and may have to buy new speakers.

[bort22]

I have this problem with Directv also. It is mostly impossible to watch ESPN when they constantly switch from DD 3/2 for the game, to DD 2/0 for commercials. Channels cuts in and out. Loud voices appear from the back. Sometimes no sound at all. The playback setting for Dolby Digital is set to Dolby Digital, the DD 2/0 setting is at PLXII as shipped when these errors occur. Workaround for me has been to switch DTV input advanced playback from these settings to Direct. Not what I want to do, but it is at least stable this way.

My install went fine the first time and several subsequent times after. Not a hitch on any attempt with Vista 32. I have also figured out one startup problem I was having where the unit would sometimes come on with no sound at all. Turns out the input was on the Directv signal outputting, you guessed it, Dolby Digital 3/2. I reloaded the firmware several times before I figured out that bit. A little slow I guess.

I posted my initial glitches on the spreadsheet and will play with it some more today. Thanks for all the feedback so far. Good to know I'm not alone and hopefully it all gets worked out soon.

Tom (bort22)

[ratmice]

Tom, I see the problem when PLIIx is set as well. Is it scary loud when it happens for you, or just messed-up?

[ICBM99]

I've noticed it too, briefly. In my effort to get rid of the dropouts that I get when on DD I switched the dish output to PCM, this seems to make everything much more even. I shouldn't have to switch to PCM, but that is what I'm doing for now.

*Edit

I don't remember if it was distorted or just scary loud. ;D

I know it was loud though.

[bort22]

The one time I took a seriously loud sound blast happened when I was trying out various modes to matrix to my back speakers since PLIIX sounds all messed up to me. Mine happened when I hit one of the neo/6 modes and it went dangerously loud instantly. Had to reduce volume with the physical knob. I have since stayed completely away from any of the artificial matrixing modes and set both DD/2 and 3/2 to direct for the Directv input. Will wait for some acknowledgement and fix before going back I guess. Seems fairly apparent from the spreadsheet reports that something strange is up with the Dolby Digital and PLIIX implementation.

[threxx]

So is the volume setting itself to 100 or is the number not changing just the volume level?

This is the primary reason I'm not willing to try v6. My speakers are worth 10x as much as my UMC. I'm not about to risk them for a firmware update that apparently still leaves a lot to be desired.

[ratmice]

The physical volume display does not change just the sound.