Does switching DVD players affect audio calibration levels ?

[Ralph Kramden]

I recently switched DVD players and the volume is noticeably lower now. The old one used coaxial digital, and my HD-A2 uses optical digital. Could this be the reason? I didn't think switching DVD players would affect volume level. Thanks.

[Matt Heebner]

Check your players menu, a lot of players have the DRC defaulted to 'ON'. Make sure it is off.

[Ralph Kramden]

Thanks Matt. What is "DRC"?

[Matt Heebner]

I believe it stands for Dynamic Range Control....basically it levels out the loud explosions, etc of one part of a movie, while making spoken dialog easier to hear in other parts of the movie. For example, you have to turn the volume way up to hear a conversation in the movie, and in the next scene there is an explosion that damn near blows the covers off your speakers. DRC levels this out to some extent, making loud noises quiter, and softer noises louder.

I don't like any extra processing with my dolby digital signal...

[gparris]

Changing from coaxial digital to optical digital audio cabling for legacy Dolby Digital feeds does not affect playback, both work the same for audio.

Matt is correct from what I have read and the settings on the players can affect the audio coming out, especially going from a standard DVD player to a HD DVD player.
DRC and other settings in your AVR may need some adjustment for each type of HT component being added, which is common.