Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

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dcsipe
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:36 pm

Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by dcsipe »

Hello,

I found one other topic related to my issue, but the solution didn't fix my problem. The sound effects and music is at a normal level on my rips, but the dialogue is much lower. I have to turn the volume up for dialogue and back down during high volume action scenes. Obviously this is pretty annoying. I tried setting my DRC setting to 2.0 on Track 1 (per some advice to another user), but this has not seemed to fix the issue.

I'm using an Intel iMac with Handbrake 0.9.3, and the movie I'm submitting the code for is Curious George. I have many others that are giving me this problem. I'm playing the movies on my AppleTV, using Optical cable into a home theater system (3.1, no surround speakers).

Any help on getting my sound normal would be GREATLY appreciated!

Code: Select all

HandBrake Activity Log for /Users/damon/Desktop/CURIOUS GEORGE.m4v: 2008-12-27 12:51:21 -0500
Handbrake Version: 0.9.3 (2008112300)

[12:51:21] macgui: Rip: Pending queue count is 4
[12:51:21] macgui: scanning specifically for title: 1
[12:51:21] macgui: performNewQueueScan currentQueueEncodeIndex is: 4
[12:51:21] hb_scan: path=/Users/damon/Desktop/RIPS/CURIOUS_GEORGE                  , title_index=1
[12:51:21] scan: trying to open with libdvdread
[12:51:21] scan: DVD has 36 title(s)
[12:51:21] scan: scanning title 1
[12:51:21] scan: opening IFO for VTS 1
[12:51:21] pgc_id: 1, pgn: 1: pgc: 0x24cbff70
[12:51:21] scan: vts=1, ttn=1, cells=0->25, blocks=512->2359097, 2358586 blocks
[12:51:21] scan: duration is 01:27:18 (5238166 ms)
[12:51:21] scan: checking audio 1
[12:51:21] scan: id=80bd, lang=English (AC3), 3cc=eng ext=0
[12:51:21] scan: checking audio 2
[12:51:21] scan: id=81bd, lang=Espanol (AC3), 3cc=spa ext=0
[12:51:21] scan: checking audio 3
[12:51:21] scan: id=82bd, lang=Francais (AC3), 3cc=fra ext=0
[12:51:21] scan: checking subtitle 1
[12:51:21] scan: id=20bd, lang=English, 3cc=eng
[12:51:21] scan: checking subtitle 2
[12:51:21] scan: id=21bd, lang=Espanol, 3cc=spa
[12:51:21] scan: checking subtitle 3
[12:51:21] scan: id=22bd, lang=Francais, 3cc=fra
[12:51:21] scan: title 1 has 21 chapters
[12:51:21] scan: chap 1 c=0->4, b=512->113597 (113086), 244323 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 2 c=5->5, b=113598->173623 (60026), 141292 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 3 c=6->6, b=173624->310276 (136653), 313646 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 4 c=7->7, b=310277->410296 (100020), 216504 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 5 c=8->8, b=410297->500223 (89927), 192427 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 6 c=9->9, b=500224->581802 (81579), 173521 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 7 c=10->10, b=581803->686366 (104564), 229632 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 8 c=11->11, b=686367->813404 (127038), 299473 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 9 c=12->12, b=813405->942654 (129250), 289669 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 10 c=13->13, b=942655->1093402 (150748), 340729 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 11 c=14->14, b=1093403->1240352 (146950), 328466 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 12 c=15->15, b=1240353->1377921 (137569), 316596 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 13 c=16->16, b=1377922->1507050 (129129), 298471 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 14 c=17->17, b=1507051->1577356 (70306), 155211 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 15 c=18->19, b=1577357->1741608 (164252), 350796 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 16 c=20->20, b=1741609->1863990 (122382), 226450 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 17 c=21->21, b=1863991->1987964 (123974), 235420 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 18 c=22->22, b=1987965->2043789 (55825), 107331 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 19 c=23->23, b=2043790->2159811 (116022), 218372 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 20 c=24->24, b=2159812->2359092 (199281), 558825 ms
[12:51:21] scan: chap 21 c=25->25, b=2359093->2359097 (5), 1001 ms
[12:51:21] scan: aspect = 0
[12:51:21] scan: decoding previews for title 1
[12:51:22] scan: audio 0x80bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=448000 English (AC3) (5.1 ch)
[12:51:22] scan: audio 0x81bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=384000 Espanol (AC3) (5.1 ch)
[12:51:22] scan: audio 0x82bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=384000 Francais (AC3) (5.1 ch)
[12:51:22] scan: 10 previews, 720x480, 23.976 fps, autocrop = 8/12/0/0, aspect 16:9, PAR 32:27
[12:51:22] scan: title (0) job->width:720, job->height:384
[12:51:22] libhb: scan thread found 1 valid title(s)
[12:51:23] macgui: ScanDone state received from fQueueEncodeLibhb
[12:51:23] macgui: processNewQueueEncode title list is: 1
[12:51:23] macgui: Preset: Custom
[12:51:23] macgui: processNewQueueEncode number of passes expected is: 1
[12:51:23] macgui: prepareJob audiotrack 2 is: 0
[12:51:23] macgui: prepareJob exiting
[12:51:23] 1 job(s) to process
[12:51:23] starting job
[12:51:23] job configuration:
[12:51:23]  * source
[12:51:23]    + /Users/damon/Desktop/RIPS/CURIOUS_GEORGE                  
[12:51:23]    + title 1, chapter(s) 1 to 21
[12:51:23]  * destination
[12:51:23]    + /Users/damon/Desktop/CURIOUS GEORGE.m4v
[12:51:23]    + container: MPEG-4 (.mp4 and .m4v)
[12:51:23]      + 64-bit formatting
[12:51:23]      + chapter markers
[12:51:23]  * video track
[12:51:23]    + decoder: mpeg2
[12:51:23]      + bitrate 9800 kbps
[12:51:23]    + frame rate: same as source (around 23.976 fps)
[12:51:23]    + loose anamorphic
[12:51:23]      + storage dimensions: 720 * 480 -> 720 * 464, crop 8/12/0/0
[12:51:23]      + pixel aspect ratio: 43 / 36
[12:51:23]      + display dimensions: 860 * 464
[12:51:23]    + filter
[12:51:23]      + Deinterlaces selectively with yadif/mcdeint and lowpass5 blending (1:2:6:9:80:16:16)
[12:51:23]    + encoder: x264
[12:51:23]      + options: level=30:cabac=0:ref=3:mixed-refs=1:bframes=6:weightb=1:direct=auto:no-fast-pskip=1:me=umh:subq=7:analyse=all
[12:51:23]      + quality: 0.61
[12:51:23]  * audio track 0
[12:51:23]    + decoder: English (AC3) (5.1 ch) (track 1, id 80bd)
[12:51:23]      + bitrate: 448 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz
[12:51:23]    + mixdown: Dolby Pro Logic II
[12:51:23]    + dynamic range compression: 2.000000
[12:51:23]    + encoder: faac
[12:51:23]      + bitrate: 160 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz
[12:51:23]  * audio track 1
[12:51:23]    + decoder: English (AC3) (5.1 ch) (track 1, id 80bd)
[12:51:23]      + bitrate: 448 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz
[12:51:23]    + AC3 passthrough
[12:51:23] yadif thread started for segment 0
[12:51:23] yadif thread started for segment 1
[12:51:23] decomb thread started for segment 0
[12:51:23] decomb thread started for segment 1
[12:51:23] encx264: keyint-min: 24, keyint-max: 240
[12:51:23] encx264: encoding with stored aspect 43/36
[12:51:23] encx264: Encoding at constant RF 19.889999
x264 [info]: using SAR=43/36
x264 [info]: using cpu capabilities: MMX2 SSE2Fast SSSE3 Cache64
x264 [info]: profile Main, level 3.0
No accelerated IMDCT transform found
No accelerated IMDCT transform found
[12:51:23] sync: expecting 125614 video frames
[12:51:23] dvd: beginning of cell 0 at block 1028
[12:51:23] dvd: end of cell 0 at block 1028
[12:51:23] reader: first SCR 3237380
[12:51:23] dvd: Lost sync, searching for NAV pack at blk 525
[12:51:23] dvd: In sync with DVD at block 1028
[12:51:23] dvd: null prev_vobu in cell 1 at block 1028
[12:51:23] dvd: end of cell 2 at block 3848
[12:51:23] dvd: end of cell 3 at block 3860
[12:51:23] mpeg2: "Chapter  1" (1) at frame 0 time 9009
[12:51:23] a52_syncinfo failed
[12:51:23] a52_syncinfo ok
[12:51:23] a52_syncinfo failed
[12:51:23] a52_syncinfo ok
[12:51:23] sync: first pts is 9009
[12:51:23] sync: adding 927 ms of silence to audio 1  start 83464, next 0
[12:51:23] sync: adding 927 ms of silence to audio 0  start 83464, next 0
[12:51:23] sync: video time didn't advance - dropped 23 frames (delta 467 ms, current 51051, next 51684, dur 633)
[12:51:23] sync: video time didn't advance - dropped 2 frames (delta 47 ms, current 54687, next 56426, dur 1739)
[12:51:23] sync: video time didn't advance - dropped 1 frames (delta 35 ms, current 98468, next 99777, dur 1309)
[12:51:23] sync: video time didn't advance - dropped 10 frames (delta 385 ms, current 144819, next 147631, dur 2812)
[12:55:50] mpeg2: "Chapter  2" (2) at frame 5909 time 22024489
[12:58:17] mpeg2: "Chapter  3" (3) at frame 9295 time 34734686
[13:04:01] mpeg2: "Chapter  4" (4) at frame 16828 time 63010934
[13:07:38] mpeg2: "Chapter  5" (5) at frame 22025 time 82519924
[13:10:50] mpeg2: "Chapter  6" (6) at frame 26637 time 99832219
[13:14:16] mpeg2: "Chapter  7" (7) at frame 30811 time 115500371
[13:18:44] mpeg2: "Chapter  8" (8) at frame 36330 time 136216567
[13:23:36] mpeg2: "Chapter  9" (9) at frame 43506 time 163153477
[13:28:39] mpeg2: "Chapter 10" (10) at frame 50458 time 189249547
[13:34:32] mpeg2: "Chapter 11" (11) at frame 58625 time 219907174
[13:41:19] mpeg2: "Chapter 12" (12) at frame 66513 time 249516754
[13:47:02] mpeg2: "Chapter 13" (13) at frame 74101 time 278000209
[13:49:25] 3205.073730s: Film -> Video
[13:49:26] 3205.323975s: Video -> Film
[13:52:36] mpeg2: "Chapter 14" (14) at frame 81254 time 304844026
[13:55:40] mpeg2: "Chapter 15" (15) at frame 84974 time 318807976
[14:01:20] mpeg2: "Chapter 16" (16) at frame 93399 time 350434070
[14:05:20] mpeg2: "Chapter 17" (17) at frame 98834 time 370834951
[14:09:33] mpeg2: "Chapter 18" (18) at frame 104477 time 392018113
[14:11:24] mpeg2: "Chapter 19" (19) at frame 107066 time 401732818
[14:15:25] mpeg2: "Chapter 20" (20) at frame 112307 time 421405471
[14:21:51] dvd: end of cell 25 at block 2359093
[14:21:51] reader: done. 6 scr changes
[14:21:52] mpeg2: "Chapter 21" (21) at frame 125699 time 471674187
[14:21:52] sync: got 125663 frames, 125614 expected
[14:21:52] work: average encoding speed for job is 23.140779 fps
[14:21:53] mpeg2 done: 125700 frames
[14:21:53] render: lost time: 0 (0 frames)
[14:21:53] render: gained time: 0 (0 frames) (0 not accounted for)
x264 [info]: slice I:1568  Avg QP:16.04  size: 34786  PSNR Mean Y:48.74 U:50.33 V:50.29 Avg:49.14 Global:47.67
x264 [info]: slice P:42405 Avg QP:18.29  size:  9276  PSNR Mean Y:45.24 U:46.71 V:46.80 Avg:45.65 Global:44.85
x264 [info]: slice B:81691 Avg QP:21.42  size:  1977  PSNR Mean Y:45.48 U:46.84 V:47.33 Avg:45.89 Global:45.12
x264 [info]: consecutive B-frames: 10.7% 12.9% 12.9% 18.8% 20.4% 20.4%  3.9%
x264 [info]: mb I  I16..4: 25.7%  0.0% 74.3%
x264 [info]: mb P  I16..4:  2.4%  0.0%  5.1%  P16..4: 38.9% 13.9%  7.8%  0.9%  0.9%    skip:30.2%
x264 [info]: mb B  I16..4:  0.1%  0.0%  0.4%  B16..8: 19.4%  1.7%  1.8%  direct: 1.9%  skip:74.6%  L0:35.5% L1:54.9% BI: 9.6%
x264 [info]: direct mvs  spatial:97.4%  temporal:2.6%
x264 [info]: ref P L0  77.0% 13.5%  9.5%
x264 [info]: ref B L0  81.2% 18.8%
x264 [info]: SSIM Mean Y:0.9909083
x264 [info]: PSNR Mean Y:45.439 U:46.843 V:47.187 Avg:45.851 Global:45.049 kb/s:930.12
[14:21:53] decomb: yadif deinterlaced 0 | blend deinterlaced 0 | unfiltered 125662 | total 125662
[14:21:53] libhb: work result = 0
dcsipe
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:36 pm

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by dcsipe »

I may have figured out my issue, but I'm not positive. Could still use input.

After reading through many more posts, I realized that before I upgraded to 0.9.3, I only had 1 audio track. Now I'm seeing 2 most of the time when I select "Apple TV" as my preset. Is the 2nd track necessary? Can I only choose 1 audio track for my rips to watch on Apple TV?

I'm trying one right now with just 1 audio track, should be done in an hour or so, so hopefully my test will work. Any further input would still be greatly appreciated though.
rhester
Veteran User
Posts: 2888
Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:24 pm

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by rhester »

If you are doing AC3 passthrough (which is the default for the Apple TV preset), both the AC3 and the AAC transcoded audio tracks are required for compatibility with that device.

Rodney
LinBrake
Experienced
Posts: 97
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 7:39 am

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by LinBrake »

I've experienced the same issue with Hellsing Ultimate Vol. 1.

This is the log from that rip. The action is very loud while the dialog is very soft. You can't make out the dialog during any action scenes because of the odd audio levels.

Code: Select all

HandBrake Activity Log for /Users/user1/Desktop/Converted/DVDVOL_1.m4v:
Handbrake Version: 0.9.3 (2008112300)

[23:48:45] macgui: Rip: Pending queue count is 0
[23:48:45] macgui: Rip: No pending jobs, so sending this one to doAddToQueue
[23:48:45] macgui: Rip: Going right to performNewQueueScan
[23:48:45] macgui: scanning specifically for title: 4
[23:48:45] macgui: performNewQueueScan currentQueueEncodeIndex is: 2
[23:48:45] hb_scan: path=/dev/disk3, title_index=4
[23:48:45] scan: trying to open with libdvdread
[23:48:46] scan: DVD has 9 title(s)
[23:48:46] scan: scanning title 4
[23:48:46] scan: opening IFO for VTS 4
[23:48:46] pgc_id: 1, pgn: 1: pgc: 0x16d8eb20
[23:48:46] scan: vts=4, ttn=1, cells=0->8, blocks=0->1434081, 1434082 blocks
[23:48:46] scan: duration is 00:50:14 (3014176 ms)
[23:48:46] scan: checking audio 1
[23:48:46] scan: id=80bd, lang=English (AC3), 3cc=eng ext=0
[23:48:46] scan: checking audio 2
[23:48:46] scan: id=81bd, lang=Japanese (AC3), 3cc=jpn ext=0
[23:48:46] scan: checking subtitle 1
[23:48:46] scan: id=20bd, lang=English, 3cc=eng
[23:48:46] scan: title 4 has 9 chapters
[23:48:46] scan: chap 1 c=0->0, b=0->95378 (95379), 209089 ms
[23:48:46] scan: chap 2 c=1->1, b=95379->261966 (166588), 349160 ms
[23:48:46] scan: chap 3 c=2->2, b=261967->458148 (196182), 407175 ms
[23:48:46] scan: chap 4 c=3->3, b=458149->681362 (223214), 470378 ms
[23:48:46] scan: chap 5 c=4->4, b=681363->842689 (161327), 338311 ms
[23:48:46] scan: chap 6 c=5->5, b=842690->1057259 (214570), 450359 ms
[23:48:46] scan: chap 7 c=6->6, b=1057260->1208404 (151145), 313320 ms
[23:48:46] scan: chap 8 c=7->7, b=1208405->1354089 (145685), 306131 ms
[23:48:46] scan: chap 9 c=8->8, b=1354090->1434081 (79992), 170249 ms
[23:48:46] scan: aspect = 0
[23:48:46] scan: decoding previews for title 4
[23:48:46] scan: audio 0x80bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=448000 English (AC3) (5.1 ch)
[23:48:46] scan: audio 0x81bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=192000 Japanese (AC3) (Dolby Surround)
[23:48:46] 283.583282s: Video -> Film
[23:48:50] scan: 10 previews, 720x480, 23.976 fps, autocrop = 0/0/0/0, aspect 16:9, PAR 32:27
[23:48:50] scan: title (0) job->width:720, job->height:400
[23:48:50] libhb: scan thread found 1 valid title(s)
[23:48:50] macgui: ScanDone state received from fQueueEncodeLibhb
[23:48:50] macgui: processNewQueueEncode title list is: 1
[23:48:50] macgui: Preset: AppleTV Legacy
[23:48:50] macgui: processNewQueueEncode number of passes expected is: 1
[23:48:50] macgui: prepareJob audiotrack 2 is: 0
[23:48:50] macgui: prepareJob exiting
[23:48:50] 1 job(s) to process
[23:48:50] starting job
[23:48:50] job configuration:
[23:48:50]  * source
[23:48:50]    + /dev/disk3
[23:48:50]    + title 4, chapter(s) 1 to 9
[23:48:50]  * destination
[23:48:50]    + /Users/user1/Desktop/Converted/DVDVOL_1.m4v
[23:48:50]    + container: MPEG-4 (.mp4 and .m4v)
[23:48:50]      + 64-bit formatting
[23:48:50]      + chapter markers
[23:48:50]  * video track
[23:48:50]    + decoder: mpeg2
[23:48:50]      + bitrate 9800 kbps
[23:48:50]    + frame rate: same as source (around 23.976 fps)
[23:48:50]    + strict anamorphic
[23:48:50]      + storage dimensions: 720 * 480 -> 720 * 480, crop 0/0/0/0
[23:48:50]      + pixel aspect ratio: 32 / 27
[23:48:50]      + display dimensions: 853 * 480
[23:48:50]    + encoder: x264
[23:48:50]      + options: bframes=3:ref=1:subq=5:me=umh:no-fast-pskip=1:cabac=0
[23:48:50]      + bitrate: 2500 kbps, pass: 0
[23:48:50]  * audio track 0
[23:48:50]    + decoder: English (AC3) (5.1 ch) (track 1, id 80bd)
[23:48:50]      + bitrate: 448 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz
[23:48:50]    + mixdown: Dolby Pro Logic II
[23:48:50]    + encoder: faac
[23:48:50]      + bitrate: 160 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz
[23:48:50]  * audio track 1
[23:48:50]    + decoder: English (AC3) (5.1 ch) (track 1, id 80bd)
[23:48:50]      + bitrate: 448 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz
[23:48:50]    + AC3 passthrough
[23:48:50] encx264: keyint-min: 24, keyint-max: 240
[23:48:50] encx264: encoding with stored aspect 32/27
x264 [info]: using SAR=32/27
x264 [info]: using cpu capabilities: MMX2 SSE2Fast SSSE3 PHADD SSE4.1 Cache64
x264 [info]: profile Main, level 3.0
No accelerated IMDCT transform found
No accelerated IMDCT transform found
[23:48:50] sync: expecting 72291 video frames
[23:48:51] reader: first SCR 146
[23:48:51] mpeg2: "Chapter  1" (1) at frame 0 time 3003
[23:48:51] sync: first pts is 3003
[23:51:33] mpeg2: "Chapter  2" (2) at frame 5016 time 18831813
[23:56:24] mpeg2: "Chapter  3" (3) at frame 13400 time 50303253
[00:02:14] mpeg2: "Chapter  4" (4) at frame 23168 time 86969883
[00:09:02] mpeg2: "Chapter  5" (5) at frame 34460 time 129357228
[00:13:52] mpeg2: "Chapter  6" (6) at frame 42576 time 159822663
[00:20:05] mpeg2: "Chapter  7" (7) at frame 53380 time 200378178
[00:24:26] mpeg2: "Chapter  8" (8) at frame 60912 time 228651423
[00:28:41] mpeg2: "Chapter  9" (9) at frame 68256 time 256218963
[00:30:57] reader: done. 0 scr changes
[00:30:57] sync: got 72347 frames, 72291 expected
[00:30:57] work: average encoding speed for job is 28.607935 fps
[00:30:57] mpeg2 done: 72348 frames
[00:30:57] render: lost time: 0 (0 frames)
[00:30:57] render: gained time: 0 (0 frames) (0 not accounted for)
x264 [info]: slice I:1341  Avg QP:11.70  size: 38233  PSNR Mean Y:52.06 U:54.92 V:54.36 Avg:52.57 Global:51.63
x264 [info]: slice P:31540 Avg QP:12.88  size: 19950  PSNR Mean Y:49.19 U:51.65 V:51.41 Avg:49.74 Global:48.88
x264 [info]: slice B:39467 Avg QP:13.33  size:  6560  PSNR Mean Y:48.92 U:51.45 V:51.21 Avg:49.48 Global:48.57
x264 [info]: consecutive B-frames: 18.9% 17.4% 10.4% 53.3%
x264 [info]: mb I  I16..4: 42.2%  0.0% 57.8%
x264 [info]: mb P  I16..4: 17.2%  0.0% 15.5%  P16..4: 32.8% 18.7%  7.7%  0.0%  0.0%    skip: 8.0%
x264 [info]: mb B  I16..4:  3.8%  0.0%  0.0%  B16..8: 37.2%  2.8%  2.6%  direct:23.7%  skip:30.0%  L0:39.4% L1:50.4% BI:10.2%
x264 [info]: final ratefactor: 15.38
x264 [info]: SSIM Mean Y:0.9920983
x264 [info]: PSNR Mean Y:49.097 U:51.600 V:51.355 Avg:49.650 Global:48.743 kb/s:2490.48
[00:30:57] libhb: work result = 0
rhester
Veteran User
Posts: 2888
Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:24 pm

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by rhester »

Is the problem with the AAC track or the AC3 track?

I don't see you applying any DRC, which could well explain it.

Rodney
ybnormal
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:24 am

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by ybnormal »

It appears from the testing I have just completed, that using DRC in 0.9.3 is the issue. I re-encoded the same file using the standard AppleTV preset and many DRC settings and then tested on my AppleTV (using analog sound output). The dialog volume was always at the same level (too low). I jumped back to version 0.9.2 and re-encoded the same file with DRC and it worked as expected.
dcsipe
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:36 pm

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by dcsipe »

Thanks for the input! I tried using the DRC as well, but didn't seem to work. Ended up playing with some settings, just using 1 Track, set to the AAC settings and things weren't too bad. Hate to go back to 0.92 though, as I really like some of the newer features of .93. Guess I'll just wait and see if I can't tweak the settings some more to get things good.

Anyone else have any settings that work well in .93 for the AppleTV sound?
Starhawk
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Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by Starhawk »

From your last post it sounds like you got things to where they "weren't too bad", but said that using DRC didnt help. What did you change to help with the dialogue problem?
dcsipe
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:36 pm

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by dcsipe »

Still don't have it totally fixed, but maybe slightly better. I took out track 2, and just did AAC with Dolby Surround. I cranked the DRC to 2.5, still don't think that's making a difference though.

It's livable, but could definitely be better. I'm going to slow down on my RIPS until this hopefully gets fixed.
funkster
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:48 pm

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by funkster »

Just one thing and I may be wrong

If you're using the optical out, then surely the Apple TV will be using the AC3 track, which you cannot apply DRC to?

Have you tried using the analog outputs and then AAC track?
jbrjake
Veteran User
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Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:38 am

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by jbrjake »

There we no changes to the DRC code between 0.9.2 and 0.9.3.
LinBrake
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Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 7:39 am

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by LinBrake »

rhester wrote:Is the problem with the AAC track or the AC3 track?

I don't see you applying any DRC, which could well explain it.

Rodney
The problem I had was with the AAC track. I don't have equipment hooked up to my system to handle the AC3 so it isn't being used yet. That is on my todo list for later this year. :mrgreen:
golias
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Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by golias »

It sounds like it's possible that some of you are playing surround-sound on a system with an inadequate and/or missing center-channel speaker.

That, or you have left & right speakers which are a lot more efficient (in terms of electric load) than your center channel.

With a 1-channel signal, it wouldn't have mattered. Every speaker in your system would be playing back the same thing. But with AC3, the "2-channel" signal is actually a digital feed for discrete surround sound (in which each speaker gets its own signal.) The same is true for 5-channel AAC.

On surround files, the center channel typically carries about 80 percent of the sound (especially dialog), while the side speakers are mostly creating ambience and/or adding a bit of "KER-POW!" to the soundtrack music and special effects. It the center & side speakers are not matched well to each other, you're not going to hear things at the right levels.

You amp might have settings to tweak the output levels of each speaker, using either a surround-sound testing DVD or perhaps built-in test tones the amp generates. So you may be able to fix with with the speakers you currently have.

Otherwise, if you are in the market for new speakers, I highly recommend making the REAR channels the speakers you skimp on (if any) and invest in the best center, left/right, and subwoofer speakers you can afford, in that order of priority.

I'm not going to open a whole "Consumer Reports" on surround-sound speakers, but I can personally recommend B&W (Bowers & Wilkens, a British company which your local hi-fi boutique might carry) as an affordable yet extremely high-quality option.
downinitjr
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:23 am

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by downinitjr »

I have to agree with the original thread starter. Converting an AC3 track to dolby pro logic II, the dialogue end up very hard to hear unless you crank the volume on your tv up. Which wouldn't be a problem, but other non dialogue audio end up being way too loud then. I of course don't have any proof that this is happening, or have any idea what's causing it, but just didn't want the original poster to think they were the only ones experiencing this.
dcsipe
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:36 pm

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by dcsipe »

I like your logic golias, but I'm not sure if that's the issue. Rips done in 9.2 play just fine, utilizing the center and left/right as it is supposed to. I would think that would definitely be the issue if my 9.2 rips didn't play great. I do have different speakers (left/right are the bose dual-cube speakers and my center is the LG speaker that came with my surround sound system). However, they play fine with cable, DVD's and music. It's just the 9.3 rips from the AppleTV that have the issue.

I'm continuing to play around with the audio to see if I can come up with a decent way to correct the issue. I'll post if I find anything!
ncc1701d
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:35 pm

Re: Dialogue too soft, everything else loud

Post by ncc1701d »

holy thread dredger!

Just wondering if the op had any luck with this. I know it's an old thread, but on doing a search, I have this problem using all versions of handbrake (currently using 0.9.5 x86_64 (2011010300). It has improved somewhat over the years, but get the problem most noticeably with any of the latest Doctor Who Series.
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