Panasonic Plasmas/LCDs of Past 5 years - "Volume Leveler" Function
ChrisCoaster
N.G.)
I've scrounged everywhere including Panasonic's own website for
instructions on where to set the Volume Leveler in the audio section
of most current(2006 & up) flat-panel consumer Panasonic TVs.
At their website, you can download any PDF manual for any Panasonic TV
as long as it's from the year 2003 or earlier(!)
At the websites offering free downloads of manuals up to last
year(basically current), you see the actual Panasonic manual but it
describes only what the function does - not where to set it! I know
what a volume leveler is - basically a limiter, but the setting on
Panasonic TVs has at least 5-7 positions.
I would appreciate anyone's help on this, particularly if you own a
recent model Panny LCD/Plasma and know where to set it to best effect.
Just not being able to find this out from the company itself is enough
of a turnoff and I will not be buying a Pansonic brand TV for any room
in my home anytime soon. To me, support is as important as the
quality of the product, and since Panny failed in that regard, they
have lost my business in the TV segment.
-CC
William Sommerwerck
I'd suggest pouring a glass of your favorite beverage, then working
carefully through the set's menus. If there is an adjustment, you /will/
find it. You might have to look very closely, though.
Wild_Bill
the Audio section, but you may not recognize the "name" of the setting if
they chose to make one up (as a different company did for the LCD TV that I
bought about a year ago).
The cheap LCD TV I have, has unusual abbreviated names for menu settings,
that I've never seen before.
So, if the settings are meant/provided to be adjusted by the end user, you
might try changing them and see what has changed (the changes may not take
effect until the menu is exited).
--
Cheers,
WB
.............
"ChrisCoaster" <ckoz...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:a293e97a-1746-4951...@p26g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...
Meat Plow
It may be in a service mode menu if you've looked through every on screen
menu on the customer level.
--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse
Arfa Daily
"ChrisCoaster" <ckoz...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:a293e97a-1746-4951...@p26g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...
On my Panasonic TX50U10 plas just under a year old, the function you appear
to be looking for is called "Volume Correction", and is accessed from "MAIN
MENU" > "SOUND" > "SOUND MENU" and then 7th item down ( Mode, Bass,
Treble, Balance, Headphone Volume, Surround, VOLUME CORRECTION, Speaker
Distance to Wall, Preferred Multi Audio ).
Under the function's description in the (extremely good as it happens) user
manual, it says " Adjusts the volume of individual channel or input mode"
Would that be the one ?
Arfa
ChrisCoaster
> "ChrisCoaster" <ckozi...@snet.net> wrote in message
>
> - Show quoted text -
__________________________
CLOSE - and you're the only one who figured out what I'm talking
about. It is called "Volume Leveler" on my friends' set(a 2008
model). In all the instruction manuals I looked at online they just
describe WHAT IT DOES but NOT what different levels of adjusting it
does. If I recall on my friends' Panasonic it's a sliding scale
adjustment from left +3 to right -10, with Zero the factory default.
It is a user menu adjustment, just as you stated, in the audio section
of the user menus.
I'm ASSUMING that moving it to the right "levels" the loudest sounds
down to the average(or softer volumes) so there is less difference,
acc to the manual, "between input sources".
-CC
Wild_Bill
levels will most likely vary widely from various different sources of input
levels.
This has apparently been too complex of a problem for the electronics
industry to standardize for over 40 years.
A standard for "line level" amplitudes has been established long ago, but
that doesn't seem to be of any help.
My most recent purchase was a cheap LCD TV, and not surprisingly, the normal
volume range when watching TV is only barely audible when the source is a
DVD player (various brands) or other AV sources.
So, when watching a DVD.. before changing the source to TV, I need to reduce
the volume level to near zero.
The same differences are generally to be expected when changing sources such
as tuner to recorded audio from any receiver/amplifier I've ever owned.
There are standards, but they seem to be ignored.. the local CBS channel's
audio has been significantly higher than any other channels for decades.
--
Cheers,
WB
.............
"ChrisCoaster" <ckoz...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:3d788b61-5483-49a9...@30g2000yql.googlegroups.com...
Meat Plow
> You may have more success than others, but in my experience audio output
> levels will most likely vary widely from various different sources of
> input levels.
>
> This has apparently been too complex of a problem for the electronics
> industry to standardize for over 40 years.
>
> A standard for "line level" amplitudes has been established long ago,
> but that doesn't seem to be of any help.
>
> My most recent purchase was a cheap LCD TV, and not surprisingly, the
> normal volume range when watching TV is only barely audible when the
> source is a DVD player (various brands) or other AV sources. So, when
> watching a DVD.. before changing the source to TV, I need to reduce the
> volume level to near zero.
>
> The same differences are generally to be expected when changing sources
> such as tuner to recorded audio from any receiver/amplifier I've ever
> owned.
>
> There are standards, but they seem to be ignored.. the local CBS
> channel's audio has been significantly higher than any other channels
> for decades.
The audio "leveling" range of my Scientific Atlanta HD 82xx series DVR is
pathetic when programing is watched via RF connection. Now that I have a
decent HD set it's hooked up via HDMI. Audio goes via optical to a Sony
5.1 capable of auto-sensing and decoding in Pro Logic II or Dolby
Digital. Speaker configuration is 3.2.1 with a 100 watts on each channel
and 150 watt 12" powered sub. The sub is connected via RF SPDIF. Front,
center and surround speakers are all Infinity. I don't watch much TV but
when I do I like to enjoy it.
One funny thing I've found out about the DVR is when an HDMI cable is
inserted it disables the video for the other outputs, Component,
Composite, and RF UNLESS the set the HDMI cable is plugged into is turned
on! What nonsense is that? So if I want to watch the set in my bedroom
which is on the RF out of the DVR I have to either unplug the HDMI or
turn the living room set on lest I get only audio and the following
message on the screen:
Your TV does not allow display of this program through the DVI input
source. Please choose another source.
Does this make any sense?
Arfa Daily
>
> "ChrisCoaster" <ckoz...@snet.net> wrote in message
> news:3d788b61-5483-49a9...@30g2000yql.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 25, 12:53 pm, "Arfa Daily" <arfa.da...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> "ChrisCoaster" <ckozi...@snet.net> wrote in message
>>
>> news:a293e97a-1746-4951...@p26g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > Where to set the damn thing?!?! (Sorry if I posted this in wrong
>> > N.G.)
>>
>> > I've scrounged everywhere including Panasonic's own website for
>> > instructions on where to set the Volume Leveler in the audio section
>> > of most current(2006 & up) flat-panel consumer Panasonic TVs.
>>
>> > At their website, you can download any PDF manual for any Panasonic TV
>> > as long as it's from the year 2003 or earlier(!)
>>
>> > At the websites offering free downloads of manuals up to last
>> > year(basically current), you see the actual Panasonic manual but it
>> > describes only what the function does - not where to set it! I know
>> > what a volume leveler is - basically a limiter, but the setting on
>> > Panasonic TVs has at least 5-7 positions.
>>
>> > I would appreciate anyone's help on this, particularly if you own a
>> > recent model Panny LCD/Plasma and know where to set it to best effect.
>>
>> > Just not being able to find this out from the company itself is enough
>> > of a turnoff and I will not be buying a Pansonic brand TV for any room
>> > in my home anytime soon. To me, support is as important as the
>> > quality of the product, and since Panny failed in that regard, they
>> > have lost my business in the TV segment.
"Wild_Bill" <wb_wi...@XSPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:%ZCxo.276331$Qg.2...@en-nntp-04.dc1.easynews.com...
> You may have more success than others, but in my experience audio output
> levels will most likely vary widely from various different sources of
> input levels.
>
> This has apparently been too complex of a problem for the electronics
> industry to standardize for over 40 years.
>
> A standard for "line level" amplitudes has been established long ago, but
> that doesn't seem to be of any help.
>
> My most recent purchase was a cheap LCD TV, and not surprisingly, the
> normal volume range when watching TV is only barely audible when the
> source is a DVD player (various brands) or other AV sources.
> So, when watching a DVD.. before changing the source to TV, I need to
> reduce the volume level to near zero.
>
> The same differences are generally to be expected when changing sources
> such as tuner to recorded audio from any receiver/amplifier I've ever
> owned.
>
> There are standards, but they seem to be ignored.. the local CBS channel's
> audio has been significantly higher than any other channels for decades.
>
> --
> Cheers,
> WB
> .............
>
But this is the whole point of the manufacturers including the setting that
the OP is trying to use ...
Arfa
Wild_Bill
does function as they want it to.
If it does, great. That info would be very worthwhile to know, if the OP
and/or others can confirm it, yes?
--
Cheers,
WB
.............
"Arfa Daily" <arfa....@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:_%Dxo.11816$gN7....@newsfe12.ams2...
Arfa Daily
"ChrisCoaster" <ckoz...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:3d788b61-5483-49a9...@30g2000yql.googlegroups.com...
OK. I've just sat down and tried it out. On my TV, the setting is just a
'bar', not calibrated in any way. By default, it sits at halfway. Using the
remote left and right arrows, makes the bar shorter or longer - longer for
the right arrow, shorter for the left. As you go shorter, the currently set
volume reduces, and as you go right, it increases. This is without the
*actual* volume control changing, if you see what I mean. So lets say that
you have the 'real' volume control set at say 6 notches, and that 6 notches
gives an acceptable level on TV stations 1, 2 and 3, but is too loud on
station 4. With station 4 selected, and 6 notches set on the normal user
volume, you then go into the sound menu and down to the VOLUME CORRECTION
field, and then 'shorten' the bar until 4 notches of volume on this station,
sounds the same as 4 notches on the other stations. On exiting the menu,
your 'corrected' setting is saved for that station only. Likewise, if you
want to correct the level for any input other than the internal tuner. You
simply go to that input, set your volume to how you want it indicated on the
screen, then access the feature, and set the actual level to match all your
others. Again, on exit, this setting is saved for that AV input only,
independent of how you've set any other inputs or stations.
I would estimate, in the absence of any figures either in the manual or on
the display, that the range of this correction feature is around + / - 6dB.
By the looks of it, the volume leveler feature that you have does exactly
the same, but the opposite way round (left to increase, right to decrease)
to the feature on my TV, and perhaps with a slightly wider and asymmetric
range.
Arfa
Wild_Bill
needlessly-overcomplicated-design issues, IMO.
Smart machines to anticipate your desires, and scold you when they can't
function simply.
Thus my great appreciation of older equipment, which generally always
functions as the user wants it to.
All ya gotta do is.. set up an equipment rack beside your easy chair so that
the entertainment equipment function buttons and cable connections are
within reach. Include a pro-grade mixing console.
Roll it to other locations for remote use.
Probably easily implemented with an extra 3000 feet of cable added to the
house.
The obvious solution from a manufacturer's point of view would be that
everyone needs multiple separate systems for various locations within a
home.
--
Cheers,
WB
.............
"Meat Plow" <mhy...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2010.10...@lmao.lol.lol...
Meat Plow
> So much of what's designed into electronic gear today are just
> needlessly-overcomplicated-design issues, IMO.
>
> Smart machines to anticipate your desires, and scold you when they can't
> function simply.
>
> Thus my great appreciation of older equipment, which generally always
> functions as the user wants it to.
>
> All ya gotta do is.. set up an equipment rack beside your easy chair so
> that the entertainment equipment function buttons and cable connections
> are within reach. Include a pro-grade mixing console. Roll it to other
> locations for remote use. Probably easily implemented with an extra 3000
> feet of cable added to the house.
>
> The obvious solution from a manufacturer's point of view would be that
> everyone needs multiple separate systems for various locations within a
> home.
The provider TWC told me I wasn't using their provided HDMI cable which I
certainly am. The problem must lie in their DVR software. When HDMI
connected TV is turned on the DVR senses that and the auto resolution
adjust to whatever the program is being broadcast in also considering the
capability of the TV to display 1080 or not. It's a pain in the butt to
reach around the DVR which is in my audio rack and unplug the HDMI out
just so I can watch TV in my bedroom off the RF connector or even record
from the DVR via the composite out onto DVD or VHS. One solution would be
to forgo the RF connection out of the DVR and simply use the bedroom TV's
tuner since it is only once in a while I watch TV in the bedroom. Hell I
only watch any TV once in a while to begin with being a hater of
commercials everything I watch is recorded enabling me to skip
commercials. I may contact TWC and see if they have a newer DVR that may
have newer software/firmware that corrects this issue.
ChrisCoaster
> By the looks of it, the volume leveler feature that you have does exactly
> the same, but the opposite way round (left to increase, right to decrease)
> to the feature on my TV, and perhaps with a slightly wider and asymmetric
> range.
>
> Arfa- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
_________________________
Uhh, that's exactly what I stated on 10/25! If the value on the left
is "+3" as I remember and if the level on the right is "-10", it would
serve to suggest that moving the bar tot he left would increase, and
to the right would decrease.
In any case, from what I've picked up here, it seems that this is not
a simple "limiter", but a "trim" setting that allows you to set all
inputs so they are roughly the same volume when switching from one to
another. Switching from Cable > VCR > DVD > and back to Cable
should be less of a jarring(!) experience. :) Doing this by ear
might not be the most accurate way, as compared to using audio test
tones(pink noise) and a meter, but perhaps using the average cable
channel as a reference, you could set the inputs hosting your other
sources to match the volume of that channel. Am I in the ballpark on
this?
-ChrisCoaster
ChrisCoaster
>
> The obvious solution from a manufacturer's point of view would be that
> everyone needs multiple separate systems for various locations within a
> home.
>
> --
> Cheers,
> WB
____________________
I used to work as a AV Tech in a place like that - it's called a
conference center.
-CC
Arfa Daily
"ChrisCoaster" <ckoz...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:bf329110-fa89-495f...@30g2000yql.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 26, 1:32 pm, "Arfa Daily" <arfa.da...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
>> By the looks of it, the volume leveler feature that you have does exactly
>> the same, but the opposite way round (left to increase, right to
>> decrease)
>> to the feature on my TV, and perhaps with a slightly wider and asymmetric
>> range.
>>
>> Arfa- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
> _________________________
>
> Uhh, that's exactly what I stated on 10/25! If the value on the left
> is "+3" as I remember and if the level on the right is "-10", it would
> serve to suggest that moving the bar tot he left would increase, and
> to the right would decrease.
You have mis-read or mis-understood what I said in the section you have
snipped out. The point I was trying to make was that the *setting* was the
same as mine in principle if not in name and nuts and bolts functionality. I
was perfectly well aware of what you stated earlier, which is why I made
reference to it ...
>
> In any case, from what I've picked up here, it seems that this is not
> a simple "limiter", but a "trim" setting that allows you to set all
> inputs so they are roughly the same volume when switching from one to
> another. Switching from Cable > VCR > DVD > and back to Cable
> should be less of a jarring(!) experience. :)
Why would you imagine it would be a 'limiter' ? The name they have given
it - as in "leveler" - is perfectly descriptive of its basic function.
>Doing this by ear
> might not be the most accurate way, as compared to using audio test
> tones(pink noise) and a meter, but perhaps using the average cable
> channel as a reference, you could set the inputs hosting your other
> sources to match the volume of that channel. Am I in the ballpark on
> this?
>
> -ChrisCoaster
>
I dunno about in the ballpark. Standing on the pitcher's mound, I'd have
said. It really is a simple and straightforward feature, and I think you are
trying to introduce complexity into its use, that simply isn't there. It's
not a limiter, nor a dynamic compressor. It is, as you have arrived at, a
simple volume trim function that is individually assignable and savable to
every possible channel or AV source selection. Further, it is easily set by
ear, as we are not talking precision audio here. Perceived volume levels
change between individual programmes - hell, between individual *scenes*
even, sometimes - let alone between stations and inputs. Just pick an input,
pick a volume level that you like, and then use the feature on the ones that
don't match by default, to make them match by your reckoning. Simple.
Arfa
ChrisCoaster
> "ChrisCoaster" <ckozi...@snet.net> wrote in message
into it I realized it functioned more as a trim. And I'm not trying
to *introduce complexity* into anything. Actually, a limiter or
compressor would have been a far more simplistic feature to
incorporate into the audio section of this menu. A simple On/Off
limiter function that squashed all audio levels up against a factory-
set ceiling so that one could watch Terminator II or something at low
levels so as not to wake up the kids at night or disturb the
neighbors.
Instead, Panasonic incorporated a feature with multiple
values(*complex* - so you can use the word correctly) that allows
matching of volumes of different sources. I find such a feature less
important than being able to control dynamic range under circumstances
where a wide range might not be suitable - again, late at night or in
close proximity to neighbors, apts, etc.
-CC
Arfa Daily
"ChrisCoaster" <ckoz...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:6b8a0e70-020c-4677...@c20g2000yqj.googlegroups.com...
So I can use the word correctly ? I'm not sure what that means ... ?? What's
complex about it, anyway ? It's just eminently practical, IMHO. A limiter or
compressor 'distorts' audio from what was originally intended by the
engineer that recorded the sound. At least with the volume turned down, the
original dynamics of the sound are preserved.
that allows
> matching of volumes of different sources. I find such a feature less
> important than being able to control dynamic range under circumstances
> where a wide range might not be suitable - again, late at night or in
> close proximity to neighbors, apts, etc.
>
> -CC
The leveler feature has no influence on this though. It does exactly as it
says on the can, and levels the volume between channels and sources, for a
given volume control setting. It couldn't be more simple, which I guess, is
why Pan didn't feel that it needed any further explanation. If waking the
kids or neighbours by watching Terminator II as it was originally intended
is a problem, do what I did long ago, and get yourself a decent set of
headphones, and a long extension cable ...
Arfa