Dial-norm

[HiroPro]

I usually am somewhere between -5 and -15dB from reference level, so not really ever at 0dB

Almost all Dolby Digital 5.1 AC3 decoders apply a MANDATORY -4dB "Dialogue Normalization" to pass Dolby Labs licensing compliance if the meta data is detected in the stream. This is why you guys are getting within 5 db of reference as I bet it's on DD AC3 sources like DVD and HDTV movie broadcasts that contain the -27 metadata. If you flipped back to your TV input and it was LPCM 2 chan your ears would be blown off and I'm sure have been in the past.

I personally HATE Dialogue Normalization in the AC3 spec! That meta POOP is in MOST DVDs and broadcast movie AC3 encodes and IT'S TOTAL BS!

Sure it would be great for broadcast as anticipated IF broadcasters actually broadcasted in AC3 and media creators actually set the meta data value properly for the content. Most broadcasters are so concerned about 5.1 downmix to 2 chan for dialog/voice or simply don't know what their doing that they simply broadcast AC3 with the voice going to the left/right. I've seen 5.1 channel material downmixed to 2.0 and broadcast into a AC3 5.1 stream on HD channels many many times. I guess they don't trust your TVs 5.1 downmixing! Retarded really buy hey it's the sat/cable "head end" operators right and they ain't that bright with certain things... a lot of things...

It's yet another reason to use a PC for transport for audio AND VIDEO as the new video cards have been HDMI 1.4a compliant for some time and it's possible to undo the bloody -4 DB offset on AC3 content.

Yup AC3 Dialogue Normalization was a brainfart by all parties involved and also has given many an A/V nut or their second half a near heart attack switching from the DVD input to their TV input right as a +12 db obnoxious commercial spot airs!!! (those ads should be ILLEGAL)

Yup is scares/pisses off many hundreds of thousands of people every day!

PS All DVD authors that set -27 metadata should be SHOT!

PSS I seriously wouldn't doubt if it's actually killed a person! you know, given an older gent a heart attack like say... viagra or air turbulence or something... Personally I've jumped a couple times from this!