Setting db's

[Clive]

Please don't shoot me for not knowing this, but, on my Onkyo I have the option to pre- set the volume db for each video or audio selection. (Intelli-volume......it's called) Does this mean that the peak volume from any source will cap-off at the setting which in turn would ease the pain of constantly adjusting the volume especially on commercials and movie musicals or blasts?




CLIVE




HEY!! Why buy movie tickets when you can own a Theater?

[Burke Strickland]

Bang! I'll take a shot at an answer. :>) (Not at the questioner!)

Due to differences in their output levels, program sources can differ in volume even if the RDC-7's (or other pre/pro, receiver or integrated amp's) master volume control is set to the same position for each. Intellivolume lets you adjust the relative volume level between sources so that when you switch from, say, CD to FM to DVD, without changing the master volume control setting, the sound level will stay at nearly the same level.



The feature is described in the RDC-7 Instruction Manual on page 43:
a. IntelliVolume
When switching input sources, you may find that the
output level for different components or input sources
connected to the RDC-7 is different even though the
main volume setting is the same. Under normal circumstances,
you would then have to change the volume
setting each time you change the input source. This
IntelliVolume setting allows you to preset a volume
level for each input source separately so that when you
do switch from one input source to another, the RDC-7
adjusts the volume accordingly so that the resulting volume
stays the same. To set the IntelliVolume, simply select
an input source at the front panel, and if that
source is quieter than other sources, increase its decibel
level with the cursor button, or if it is louder than
other sources, decrease its decibel level with the cursor
button.
The intelli volume can be adjusted between -12 and
+12 decibels.


The feature you are describing as capping the peak volume (sort of a "compression" of peak signals) sounds like "Late Night Mode", only effective with Dolby Digital playback (described on page 61 of the manual):

LATE NIGHT: Sets “High,” “Low,” or “Off” for the late
night function
• Cinema sound has a vast dynamic range; therefore,
to hear the quieter sounds such as human
conversations, they must be played back at
larger volumes. When this parameter is set to
“High” or “Low,” the dynamic range of the
sound is narrowed down to allow you to easily
hear minute sounds at low volumes. This function
is especially useful if you wish to play a movie at
low volumes during the nighttime.
Notes:
• The depth of the Late Night effect is
determained by Dolby Digital software. Some
sounds may produce no or little effect.
• The Late Night function is effective only on Dolby
Digital encoded software.


Another feature which is similar in concept is the "Power On Volume" setting, which allows you to set the maxiumum sound level that will be played when you first turn on the unit, but no compression of peaks is involved, just the overall volume level (described on page 48 of the manual):d. Power On Volume
This sets a designated volume setting for the RDC-7 to
be set every time that the power is turned on. This prevents
the RDC-7 from being turned on while it is set to
an extremely high volume and suddenly output very
loud sounds. For the absolute volume display method,
this can be set between 0 and 99. For the relative volume
display method, this can be set between -∞ and
+18 decibels. If you do not mind having the RDC-7
turned on with its current volume setting, set this to “Last
Valid.”

Some other Onkyo/Integra models have features similar to those described above for the RDC-7. Hope that helps, some...

Burke

[Clive]

Thanks Burke, some of the paragraghs mirror the ones in my manual. One feature I'm missing is the Power on volume, which seems sorta nice.

The RDC-7 seems to be cream-della-cream of the crop and I'm getting pretty greedy. I'm trying to resist.

Thanks Bud!




CLIVE




HEY!! Why buy movie tickets when you can own a Theater?