DVD: Very low vocal volume, non vocal portion normal

Kasdarack · 25 Nov 2009

I hope this thread isn't redundant. I didn't find any solutions after searching.

I have an issue with DVD playback in both MP and MC. This doesn't happen with every DVD I play, but with many of them. The volume on the vocal portion is very low to the point of being inaudible. The background noises and music are all perfectly loud. I'm guessing it's because DVD audio is on multiple channels and there's something wrong with the way my system is handling one of them?

I'm using a SB Audigy SE.
The issue persisted after installing the drivers and utilities from the CD and after installing the Shark007 codec/filter pack.

This computer is my media center so I really need DVD playback to work.

Any ideas?

harpua · 26 Nov 2009

I don't know the solution but I can suggest a work around. If you use Shark007's Win7 Codecs which are highly recommended by many anyway, you can use his settings app to easily switch or add "AC3 Filter" into the chain of audio decoders. AC3 Filter gives you the ability to individually adjust the volume of each audio channel (not just stereo) but Low Frequency Effects, Center Channel (voices), etc. etc. So with AC3 Filter, you could raise the volume of voices or decrease the volume of other things to balance it out the way you want. Plus it gives you the ability to increase or boost overall volume as well. Here's a look at AC3 Filter's mixer dialog:

Qdos · 26 Nov 2009

There was an earlier post which was almost identical sometime in the last 24h, have a hunt around for the solutions proposed on that thread (sorry, but I don't have the link to hand...)