Pioneer 1015... -40 volume is soft for DVDs, but blaring when Tuner?

[lithnights]

I have a Pioneer 1015. I love it so far especially after some of you cleared up some of my earlier questions last month. But I have a new concern. I understand my volume can go all the way from -80 to +12. What I don't get is why the volume of -40 when listening to a DVD (DVD/LD input) is so quiet, yet when I switch to Tuner or CD input, the music is blaring to the point that I have to turn the volume down to -60 or so to equate the volume I had from the DVD.

1) Does this happen to you other owners out there? Why is -40 when watching a DVD equivalent to -60 when listening to Tuner? I go back and forth a lot between watching my DVD/DVR and the tuner (e.g... watching a football game through the DVR but flipping back to the Tuner to listen to the local broadcast on the radio), and I constantly find my self having to turn the darn volume up and down 20 units everytime I go back and forth. It doesn't seem right and it's pretty annoying especially for a new $450 receiver.

2) Can you think of what may be causing this and is there anything I can do to get the DVD/DVR input to be similar to the Tuner input?

Thanks in advance...

 

[brendy]

Differences in output level between the 2 sources is the cause.Unless your receiver has the ability to adjust each inputs level,like Onkyo's Intellivolume feature,nothing much you can do.

 

[lithnights]

Differences in output level between the 2 sources is the cause.Unless your receiver has the ability to adjust each inputs level,like Onkyo's Intellivolume feature,nothing much you can do.

Eesh.. that's terrible. Is that situation (such varying volume levels between sources) normal?

Not sure about being able to adjust each inputs level.. I will dive into the manual and find out.. any of you 1015 owners know that answer?

Thanks

 

[MDS]

It's also the difference in the levels of the content itself. DVDs have a very large dynamic range from very soft sounds to the huge explosions (the average level is low; the standard is -31 dB for the dialog). CDs are typically mastered very hot nowadays (-12 db to -10 dB). When you switch from DVD to CD you will also notice the same thing as when you switch from DVD to Tuner.

 

[lithnights]

It's also the difference in the levels of the content itself. DVDs have a very large dynamic range from very soft sounds to the huge explosions (the average level is low; the standard is -31 dB for the dialog). CDs are typically mastered very hot nowadays (-12 db to -10 dB). When you switch from DVD to CD you will also notice the same thing as when you switch from DVD to Tuner.

You are correct.. I do notice the same thing going from DVD to Tuner as I do from DVD to CD.

I guess that's not the answer I wanted to hear.. although I do appreciate the feedback. I guess I'll get used to it...

 

[PHYSTRAINER]

I also have this amp, but do not notice much difference between sources. I listen on average at about -30 on tv and about -16 to -10. not sure there is anyway to change the volume levels of the source.

 

[Zuke]

Check your sources volume (output) levels. I have the 1015 and have the same issues.

 

[lithnights]

You are correct.. I do notice the same thing going from DVD to Tuner as I do from DVD to CD.

I guess that's not the answer I wanted to hear.. although I do appreciate the feedback. I guess I'll get used to it...

I also notice that just watching TV (cable) is the same as the DVD/DVR player. Does that signal get sent at similar sound levels as DVDs are produced?

 

[lithnights]

I also have this amp, but do not notice much difference between sources. I listen on average at about -30 on tv and about -16 to -10. not sure there is anyway to change the volume levels of the source.

-16 to -10 for what? dvds? radio? cds?

 

[lithnights]

Check your sources volume (output) levels. I have the 1015 and have the same issues.

I will take a look at the output levels. When you say you have the same issues, does that mean you did have the same issues but messing with the output levels fixed it? Or do you mean you still have the same issues even after messing with the levels?

Thanks,

 

[PHYSTRAINER]

-16 to -10 for what? dvds? radio? cds?


Sorry DVD's.

 

[Zuke]

I will take a look at the output levels. When you say you have the same issues, does that mean you did have the same issues but messing with the output levels fixed it? Or do you mean you still have the same issues even after messing with the levels?

Thanks,

I fixed most of the issues by messing with the output levels on my XM, Cablebox and PC. I still run into the issue with my cd and dvd players.

 

[lithnights]

Oh ok, I thought there was something I could control with my receiver that would adjust how those sounds came IN. I have no cablebox (just a coax from the wall) so that's not an option for me.

 

[MDS]

I fixed most of the issues by messing with the output levels on my XM, Cablebox and PC. I still run into the issue with my cd and dvd players.

How? The only way you could change the output level of the cable box would be if you were using analog connections and you set the cable to variable audio out. CD and DVD players send a standard 1V signal (line level) and are not adjustable.

The only way to deal with the vast differences in level of various sources is a scheme like Onkyo's IntelliVolume as was mentioned earlier and even that is not foolproof because the levels of different sources varies with the content being played as well.