How can I make DVD playback louder without an amp?

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  • Rooster6975
    Smart Chicken
    • Mar 2002
    • 73
    #1

    How can I make DVD playback louder without an amp?

    Hi,

    I am playing back a standard store-bought DVD movie. If I play it back through my Toshiba DVD-ROM drive plus Sony Cordless headphones plugged into a SoundBlaster Live 1024, the sound is very good and usually loud enough, however there is no possibility of making it any louder. If I want to have it louder (for instance for some old mono movie DVD transfers) I can't, it is already at the max. Is there a software amp or sound booster which I can use?

    I already have the Windows Volume controls all set at max, I have WinDVD's volume set at max, and I have the cordless headphones set at max. If I don't use the headphones and use my Creative Labs speaker system with amp, I can only turn it to 4 of 10 before it blasts my ears off, so I know it is possible to make it louder. However, I usually need to wear headphones since I have 2 babies in the house. I am running everything on WinXP SP1.

    Any ideas how I can make the DVD playback louder?

    Thanks,
    Rooster.
    Tags: None
    • setarip
      Retired
      • Dec 2001
      • 24955
      #2
      "If I play it back through my Toshiba DVD-ROM drive plus Sony Cordless headphones plugged into a SoundBlaster Live 1024"


      Are you ready for a silly question? Does adjusting the volume control on the front of your DVD-ROM have any impact on the volume output to your cordless headphones?



      (I'm still trying to understand how one has "cordless" headphones "plugged in" to a sound card ;>})

        Comment

        • Rooster6975
          Smart Chicken
          • Mar 2002
          • 73
          #3
          It's not a silly question, however....

          I certainly didn't think to look for a volume control on the front of the DVD drive! But there is not a volume control. I have one on my CD burner, but the front of the DVD drive has only an eject button.

          In the meantime, I managed to solve it on my own. I found out there was a patch update to the latest Live drivers for the SB. I only had to download the 6 MB patch as opposed to the 23 MB full set, and I updated all my drivers. I watched the Jackal last night and nearly made myself deaf! I couldn't move the headphone volume to more than 4 out of 10 before it got to be too loud!! That is exactly what I wanted, but I am curious to know why the patch fixed it. It reset all the settings to default, because when I launched AudioHQ, the volume was set at 50% whereas I always have it jacked to 100%. I originally did what I always do and moved everything to 100%, but as soon as the movie started, I couldn't keep the headphones on my head!! The incredibly loud studio logo made me jump, I wasn't expecting it. I put all the settings back to the default 50% and even then could only move the headphones to 4 out of 10. Problem solved!

          I assume that something within the drivers changed to augment the sound output, but it could have been poor configuration on my part with the previous drivers. Does anyone know if the new drivers improve sound volume? And if not, does anyone want to guess as to where the bad config on my system may have been before in case it happens again?


          Thanks for your answer SetaRip.

          Cheers,
          Rooster.

            Comment

            • Rooster6975
              Smart Chicken
              • Mar 2002
              • 73
              #4
              Oh, and the answer to your question....

              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (I'm still trying to understand how one has "cordless" headphones "plugged in" to a sound card ;>})
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              The base of the cordless headphones which broadcasts the signal to the headphones is plugged into the headphone jack on the sound card. It's a great solution to those who love movies but can't blare the soundtrack. I can walk anywhere in the house and the reception is perfect. I don't even have to pause the movie to go to the bathroom, I just go when two characters are having a discussion and there is no action. I don't miss a thing!

              Plus I never get the cord snagged while in a fragmatch because there is no cord!! And MP3s get broadcast to every location in the house, even 100 meters into the back yard! Gotta love cordless......... does this sound like a commercial?

              Cheers,
              Rooster

                Comment

                • setarip
                  Retired
                  • Dec 2001
                  • 24955
                  #5
                  Glad to hear you've resolved your dilemma (without disturbing the little ones ;>})

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