Dolby compression seting? (1 Viewer)

[Phil Tomaskovic]

On the new Springsteen live dvd, it says for best audio to turn off the dolby compression setting on the dvd player. Is this something new? What does it do?

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Compression is a manipulation of audio signals that acts sort of like a “dynamic equalizer:” It raises the level of low signals and reduces the level of high signals. The result is a more uniform output where the volume level does not vary a lot.
The dynamics are one of the best things about movie soundtracks, realistically delivering the high-impact of explosions or the subtlety of rustling leaves. However, if you are listening late at night while people in the house are sleeping, you will be constantly turning the volume up and down. For this reason Dolby Digital receivers have a setting to engage audio compression to accomodate low-volume situations.
With music, however, there is already a lot of compression in the final recording (ever hear a segment from a music CD that made you jump out of your skin, like in a movie?), so the receiver’s compression setting should not be engaged. That is why they mentioned this in the DVD.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
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My Equipment List

 

[Clinton McClure]

The compression setting on your receiver will most likely be listed as dynamic range in the receiver's set-up menu.
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My DVD Collection Casa del Clint

 

[Chuck Kent]

Or sometimes "Night Mode" or "D. Comp."...
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