digtial video essentials help

[sjp1966]

I have the DVE disk for PAL system and was attempting to set up today, I must admit half the time i did not understand what the guy was saying re video set-up, but when I tried the 5.1 audio setup is it fires up a test which gives limited bandwidth pink noise, but it automatically moves from speaker to speaker, so before I have the chance of setting the Db level to the particular speaker the DVD has moved onto the next speaker. is there anyway of setting up the disc so that the pink noise stays on each speaker until i manually move it.

besides all this once the limited bandwidth pink noise test finishes I get a full bandwidth test that pans around all the speakers, this is noticably louder than the previous test, should i be setting up speaker Db against this too? if so to what level?

 

[AVRat]

Title 8 on the disk gives the test tones for 5.1 setup. Note, the tones don’t play continuously until you move to the next. I think they play 10-15 seconds then go to the next, but you can navigate them by using your DVD player’s chapter navigation control. If you don’t have the manual, you can get a copy here. http://www.videoessentials.com/docs/DVE_Consumer_PAL.pdf

Most people generally use just the receiver’s test tones to set the channel levels.

 

[MikeD105]

should i be setting up speaker Db against this too? if so to what level?

I've had a problem with this too. That manual that is liked to in the post above me it always tells you that you should receive a 75db rating on your SPL when the master volume control is set to "reference level".

What is this mythical "reference level" they talk about??

 

[Adam]

What is this mythical "reference level" they talk about??

To quote Safari Books: "Setting a receiver's volume to the reference level is not the mystical task it often appears to be; in fact, a receiver's reference level is whatever your theater needs it to be."

In other words, whatever setting on your volume knob that gives you 75dB would be your reference level setting. A number of modern receivers have auto set-up routines and digital volume level readouts, and they will set themselves so that a reading of "0dB" is the reference level (75dB). On those receivers, any reading of less than 0dB (such as "-20dB") is quieter than that reference, and any reading higher than 0dB is louder. Older receivers, or any one with numbers printed around the volume knob, certainly may not have an output of 75dB when the volume reads 0dB (and a lot of receivers use other numbering schemes that don't include a "dB" marker). The actual output level depends on more than just the receiver - your speakers and your room are two major factors.

Anyway, don't worry about putting your receivers volume knob at some level and then trying to get 75dB. Get 75dB, and then you know what setting on the volume knob gives you that.

 

[MikeD105]

To quote "Setting a receiver's volume to the reference level is not the mystical task it often appears to be; in fact, a receiver's reference level is whatever your theater needs it to be."

In other words, whatever setting on your volume knob that gives you 75dB would be your reference level setting. A number of modern receivers have auto set-up routines and digital volume level readouts, and they will set themselves so that a reading of "0dB" is the reference level (75dB). On those receivers, any reading of less than 0dB (such as "-20dB") is quieter than that reference, and any reading higher than 0dB is louder. Older receivers, or any one with numbers printed around the volume knob, certainly may not have an output of 75dB when the volume reads 0dB (and a lot of receivers use other numbering schemes that don't include a "dB" marker). The actual output level depends on more than just the receiver - your speakers and your room are two major factors.

Anyway, don't worry about putting your receivers volume knob at some level and then trying to get 75dB. Get 75dB, and then you know what setting on the volume knob gives you that.

OK, so its really up to your preference, but 0dB is as good a place to start as any. Works for me!

thanks a bunch!!

 

[Adam]

OK, so its really up to your preference, but 0dB is as good a place to start as any. Works for me!

thanks a bunch!!

Your welcome, Mike!

I'd like to add something. I suggest that you start with the volume setting at something low, and then move it up until you read 75dB on your SPL meter when you're playing those test tones. Without knowing what "0dB" means on your particular receiver, I'd suggest playing it safe. For example, "0dB" on my older Yamaha is printed on the volume knob and is located where the knob is turned all the way up - I sure as heck wouldn't start there on that receiver! It only adds a few seconds to the whole process to start low and move up.