Like this one, e.g.
Or do you know of something better, perhaps?
Some TVs have an auto volume limiting function built in - it would be a great help in attenuating the volume of ad breaks, which is significantly higher than the main programming here. Except it just doesn’t seem to work well at all on my set - and I find myself straining to hear some sounds and overwhelmed by others. You might have better luck with yours if your TV includes such a function (and if it’s a TV you’re looking to control)
Ideally, it would reduce the volume of heavily compressed audio, that is - sound where there is little to no difference between the quietest and loudest sounds. The loudest sound in a commercial is not actually louder than the loudest sound during regular programming. It’s just that the quietest sound during a commercial is just about as loud as the loudest sound during regular programming. Given that this particular device is made by Terk, one of the worst electronics makers around, I suspect they made a cheap piece of crap that, instead of doing it right, compresses all sound passing through it. So regular programming is every bit as compressed as a commercial.
Thanks. I’ll avoid it. Any suggestions of a good controller?
Why don’t you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
I would love it if it did work. I’ve never tried one, but there’s a similar function for iTunes/iPod and as far as I can tell it doesn’t work - there’s still songs I have to turn up or down manually. So I’m skeptical.
It drives me nuts that my TV level can be set in the mid-range or just below for satisfactory volume, but almost all DVDs have to have the level turned up almost to the top to hear. And, of course, on both TV and DVDs, when set for satisfactory level for dialog, when so-called “background” music comes on, it is almost deafening. I constantly have to fiddle with the volume control.
So, I tried the Terk. At first it worked just great and I was delighted, then after a couple of weeks, it stopped completely. Sent it back to Amazon and got a replacement. This one worked for about two months, and then stopped working at all.
Sent it back and gave up. If anybody knows of a reliable one, i’d love to have it.
My Google search seems to indicate only Terk makes a TV Vol Control. Others are for iPods only (except one that goes for ~$250).
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=TV+Sound+Controllers&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=
Incorrect?
BarnOwl,
Its ironic you brought this up. About 3 years ago I looked into the same thing. Long story short, only Phillips CRT TV’s used to have this freature built in. I believe most TV’s before 2003 do not have this. It is annoying isnt it. Unless the newer LCD’s specifically sates it has it I would assume it doesnt