The Mummy Returns - Sound Problems

[mrsingh]

Just finished watching my R4 copy of The Mummy Returns. The picture's great, but unfortunately I can't say the same for the sound. I can only describe it as being very uneven. Sometimes the volume is fine, but sometimes it becomes very low to the point where I can hardly hear the dialogue. I was listening to the default soundtrack (which I assume is the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack) through my TV's speakers.

Has anybody else noticed this problem or do I just have a faulty disc?

[puddleduck]

sounds like you've got dynamic noise compression or some sort of "midnight listening" mode enabled on your amp.

See your amplifier manual for further details.

[mrsingh]

I wasn't using an amp, I was using the TV's speakers. I've checked some other discs and the sound is fine on them. Looks like I'll have to return this particular disc. I hate when you get a faulty disc, especially when it's from Australia. I bet the exchange process is gonna take ages.

[Chris]

Originally posted by mrsingh
I wasn't using an amp, I was using the TV's speakers. I've checked some other discs and the sound is fine on them. Looks like I'll have to return this particular disc. I hate when you get a faulty disc, especially when it's from Australia. I bet the exchange process is gonna take ages.

This sounds like it is caused by downmixing DD5.1 to Stereo (surround) and is a common problem with DD5.1->DD2.0 and is not a fault.

Downmixing hardly ever works well, thats why most US discs that have DD5.1 also include a DD2.0 track) and it's the reason why DTS refuse to license decoders that can downmix DTS to stereo.


Some DD5.1 discs have the DD5.1 altered so it downmixes more easily but this decreases the quality of the audio for both DD5.1 and DD2.0 listeners.

[Rob]

It might not be a fault ..........

The Region 2 Project report that their R2 demo disc appears to lose volume toward the end.

[Jenz @ Bullets n Babes]

Well there wasn't anything wrong with either my R1, R2 or R4 discs :(

http://www.bulletsnbabesdvds.com/article.php?sid=557 has the lowdown. Mind you on R2 and R4 I was talking about the DTS track.

Jenz.

[ajm]

I know my sony dvd player can also do this range compression stuff. None of the reviews of the R4 dts track show any problems.