DVD Audio Volume Problem

[Acidf3d]

I have been experiencing a problem whereby after any high frequency transient during a DVD, the volume is severely compressed for a few seconds.

In layman's terms this means that every time there is a high pitched clicking, ticking, smacking or snapping sound (such as a lighter being flicked, a wooden stick being slammed on a desk etc) the volume level drops severely and then gradually returns to normal after a few seconds. In the professional audio world this is caused by a process called compression.

The problem is, this is unwanted compression and I have no idea what is causing it. I experienced it once before and it effected both the analogue and digital audio output on DVDs. The only way I was able to fix it was by reinstalling Windows, but that was only 6 months ago and now the problem has returned (I can't test the digital ouput at the moment as my speakers are being replaced under warranty but I assume it will be effected also).

I am using WinDVD 7 and the only other video software I have installed is DivX 6.2, RealPlayer, QuickTime. Can anyone shed any light on this problem for me?

[codajohn]

Try opening your Volume Control. You should have a "Advanced" box on the bottom of the master volume control. Click this box and see if SPDIF
(Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format) is enabled. Put a check in the box if not. Enable SPDIF.

[Acidf3d]

Try opening your Volume Control. You should have a "Advanced" box on the bottom of the master volume control. Click this box and see if SPDIF
(Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format) is enabled. Put a check in the box if not. Enable SPDIF.

Is this response meant for this thread?? Enabling digital output through S/PDIF is of absolutely no use for this problem!!! Lol. I don't have my digital speakers at the moment, and anyway, last time this problem occurred I tried both through digital and analogue outputs and both methods experienced the volume drop problem.

[codajohn]

Are you having the problem with DVDs that play in your comp and/or Stand alone?

[Acidf3d]

The problem is only when playing DVD's from my computer using either Windows Media Player or WinDVD 7 (I haven't tried any other players this time, last time I tested it with PowerDVD but the video wouldn't work for all sorts of reasons). Thanks for your help btw!!

[Acidf3d]

Also, the problem wasn't present when I first installed Windows & WinDVD, but has resurfaced... and unfortunately I can't pinpoint when exactly it resurfaced so I can't tell if something I installed caused the problem. Last time I had the problem, I tried uninstalling everything that could effect video/audio but it didn't fix the problem anyway... so I imagine it'd be the same this time.

[codajohn]

btw?
Got it.