their license now forbids it

You probably meant Dynamic Range Control, but just in case, Dolby's license now forbits all CE equipment from having access to altering the Dialog Normalization feature. Most soundtracks on DVD and Blu-ray use about 4dB of normalization (should show up as -4dB) when a Dolby soundtrack is being played. This is the default setting for the Dolby encoder: the audio engineer has to program the encoder to disable normalization if he doesn't want to use it. Dolby's implementation is ass-backwards.

Years ago, a few manufacturers actually had receivers/processors that allowed an adjustment to be made to Dialog Normalization. Dolby didn't appreciate this work-around and added the clause that, to be certified by Dolby and obtain a license, CE products must not alter Dialog Normalization coefficients. The normalization data presides in the metadata of the stream. There is a member at AVS Forum who states that his computer software player allows him to disable Dialog Normalization, so perhaps there is a work-around for this unneeded feature that Dolby has dumped on consumers.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Is it just me, or is the sound better on Blu-Ray discs vs. regular DVD's? - The Real Dick Hertz 07:16:55 01/13/10 (14)

is there a dialogue normalization function on your panasonic BD player? - jeromelang 02:23:56 01/14/10 (2)

their license now forbids it - Joe Murphy Jr 09:22:57 01/14/10 (0)

No, but there is a dynamic range control. Mine is "off". nt - The Real Dick Hertz 06:53:05 01/14/10 (0)

Make sure you're taking advantage of the lossless audio content, e.g., the DTS-HD MA track - Jazz Inmate 08:49:59 01/13/10 (5)

DTS-HD MA, Dolby TrueHD or LPCM. - The Real Dick Hertz 14:48:57 01/13/10 (4)

Do you know if bitstream be passed via analog out? Or only thru HDMI connection? - Road Warrior 20:24:36 01/13/10 (3)

My player is the Panasonic DMP-BD60, not an Oppo. nt - The Real Dick Hertz 14:45:50 01/14/10 (0)

RE: Do you know if bitstream be passed via analog out? Or only thru HDMI connection? - Ben Van Dyk 14:33:59 01/14/10 (0)

RE: Do you know if bitstream be passed via analog out? Or only thru HDMI connection? - David Aiken 22:08:42 01/13/10 (0)

YES! - Jake 08:38:06 01/13/10 (4)

Make sure your using a glass Toslink, not plastic - Ned 19:08:11 01/13/10 (2)

RE: Make sure your using a glass Toslink, not plastic - default 10:18:21 02/03/10 (0)

RE: Make sure your using a glass Toslink, not plastic - Ben Van Dyk 15:45:51 01/14/10 (0)

I'm using the HDMI connection only. nt - The Real Dick Hertz 08:43:40 01/13/10 (0)

Follow Ups

their license now forbids it - Joe Murphy Jr 09:22:57 01/14/10 (0)

their license now forbids it

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