Shopping for a receiver

[root]

It is harder and harder for me to understand speech on TV audio.
I would like to be able to insert an equalizer into the audio
playback. Old receivers used to run the pre-amp output and the
amp input out the back. As shipped, the outputs and inputs were
shorted together but the short could be removed and an equalizer
inserted into the loop. Are there any HDMI compatible receivers
that offer that feature?

Also, I have been looking for a receiver that offers HD radio
and I haven't found any.

Any suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[Phoena]

On 05/27/2013 07:18 PM, root wrote:

Jeff Liebermann<jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:
On Mon, 27 May 2013 16:36:25 +0000 (UTC), root<NoEMail@home.org
wrote:

It is harder and harder for me to understand speech on TV audio.
I would like to be able to insert an equalizer into the audio
playback.

You might consider watching TV on your computah. Buy an ATSC tuner
card or USB dongle for the receiver part. The audio can be processed
by the computer using the usual sound card software, which generally
includes an equalizer.


I am watching TV on the computer, the TV is acting as a monitor only.
The hdmi signal goes to the receiver and thence to the TV.

I have a workaround for problem sources: I am using mplayer (linux)
for a player and I can specify the audio out to go either through
the sound card or through the video card via hdmi. The sound card
connects to the receiver through an equalizer. For problem sources
I just send the sound through the sound card as you suggest. I
have to send the video directly to a different input on the TV.
For that I have ordered an hdmi splitter from Monoprice.

Thanks for responding.

What you can't just reassign an unused input on the receiver
to the output of the equalizer. Not every motherfucker outputs audio on
HDMI and still must use either analog outputs or coaxial or optical.
Particularly when you are doing a DVI to HDMI conversion. For example
you can reassign the tape deck input to whatever HDMI input the video
card is connected to, because in my opinion if you are still using
cassette tapes in 2013 then you must have been raped by a Catholic
priest as a child.

I've seen plenty of receivers that have this functionality and the TV I
had allowed you to reassign the analog audio input from any composite,
S-Video or component input to one of the HDMI inputs of your choice.
This TV also had alalog output which could have also been fed into said
qualizer. That is, the TV i had before I bashed it to pieces.

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Mon, 27 May 2013 16:36:25 +0000 (UTC), root <NoEMail@home.org>
wrote:

It is harder and harder for me to understand speech on TV audio.
I would like to be able to insert an equalizer into the audio
playback.

You might consider watching TV on your computah. Buy an ATSC tuner
card or USB dongle for the receiver part. The audio can be processed
by the computer using the usual sound card software, which generally
includes an equalizer.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

 

[tm]

<jurb6006@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:72a847c2-1b5f-4ecc-b091-5027f120aad2@googlegroups.com...

Many TVs now have equalizers built in. Check the audio menu for one, alot
of people have it and don't even know it.

snip

Another big problem with TV sound is the mixing. The music is too loud and
the dialogue too soft, and there is too much ambience. Sometimes it helps
to switch it to mono.

The sound engineering on today's movies and TV programs just plain sucks.

tm

 

Many TVs now have equalizers built in. Check the audio menu for one, alot of people have it and don't even know it.

If you live in an area where TV has gone digital and you have an older TV, if it has video jacks and your convertor or cable box has video out, the equalizer can go right between there.

Another thing is that most TV speakers suck. If you have a regular stereo for music, try hooking that up. There should be some source of audio smewhere, even if you have to dig ut an ancient VCR that has an NTSC tuner or something like that.

Another big problem with TV sound is the mixing. The music is too loud and the dialogue too soft, and there is too much ambience. Sometimes it helps to switch it to mono.

 

[root]

jurb6006@gmail.com <jurb6006@gmail.com> wrote:

Many TVs now have equalizers built in. Check the audio menu for one, alot of people have it and don't even know it.

If you live in an area where TV has gone digital and you have an older TV, if it has video jacks and your convertor or cable box has video out, the equalizer can go right between there.

Another thing is that most TV speakers suck. If you have a regular stereo for music, try hooking that up. There should be some source of audio smewhere, even if you have to dig ut an ancient VCR that has an NTSC tuner or something like that.

Another big problem with TV sound is the mixing. The music is too loud and the dialogue too soft, and there is too much ambience. Sometimes it helps to switch it to mono.

Thanks for responding. The sound goes into my receiver which is
connected to a full-blown surround sound system. You are
correct, sometimes it is easier to hear speech with
mono or two channel stereo.

 

[root]

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:

On Mon, 27 May 2013 16:36:25 +0000 (UTC), root <NoEMail@home.org
wrote:

It is harder and harder for me to understand speech on TV audio.
I would like to be able to insert an equalizer into the audio
playback.

You might consider watching TV on your computah. Buy an ATSC tuner
card or USB dongle for the receiver part. The audio can be processed
by the computer using the usual sound card software, which generally
includes an equalizer.

I am watching TV on the computer, the TV is acting as a monitor only.
The hdmi signal goes to the receiver and thence to the TV.

I have a workaround for problem sources: I am using mplayer (linux)
for a player and I can specify the audio out to go either through
the sound card or through the video card via hdmi. The sound card
connects to the receiver through an equalizer. For problem sources
I just send the sound through the sound card as you suggest. I
have to send the video directly to a different input on the TV.
For that I have ordered an hdmi splitter from Monoprice.

Thanks for responding.

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Mon, 27 May 2013 19:18:08 +0000 (UTC), root <NoEMail@home.org>
wrote:

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:
On Mon, 27 May 2013 16:36:25 +0000 (UTC), root <NoEMail@home.org
wrote:

It is harder and harder for me to understand speech on TV audio.
I would like to be able to insert an equalizer into the audio
playback.

You might consider watching TV on your computah. Buy an ATSC tuner
card or USB dongle for the receiver part. The audio can be processed
by the computer using the usual sound card software, which generally
includes an equalizer.


I am watching TV on the computer, the TV is acting as a monitor only.
The hdmi signal goes to the receiver and thence to the TV.

I have a workaround for problem sources: I am using mplayer (linux)
for a player and I can specify the audio out to go either through
the sound card or through the video card via hdmi. The sound card
connects to the receiver through an equalizer. For problem sources
I just send the sound through the sound card as you suggest. I
have to send the video directly to a different input on the TV.
For that I have ordered an hdmi splitter from Monoprice.

That may possibly produce some additional audio delay and possibly
produce lip sync problems:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_to_video_synchronization>
That's why I suggested an ATSC tuner, instead of breaking the audio
out through the computah. MPEG has PTS and DTS time stamps, which can
usually be used by the software to provide the necessary lip sync.
Breaking out the audio separately and running it through an equalizer,
will add some additional audio delay. It won't be much as video
delays are much larger, but it might be noticeable if the audio
processing is complex. Audacity (on Windoze XP) gives me about 200
msec latency with no filters and as much as several seconds latency
with a random assortment of filters and effects enabled. 200 msec
might not be a problem. Several seconds will be fatal:
<http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Latency_Test>

Also, I've been experimenting with different cheap computah speakers,
mostly Logitech. Nothing scientific, just testing by ear using mostly
Pandora. None of them sound as good as the much larger speakers on my
hi-fi. Built in TV speakers are worse. If you want quality audio,
build your system starting with good speakers, and work backwards
towards the TV.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

 

[Phoena]

On 05/27/2013 07:31 PM, tm wrote:

jurb6006@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:72a847c2-1b5f-4ecc-b091-5027f120aad2@googlegroups.com...
Many TVs now have equalizers built in. Check the audio menu for one,
alot of people have it and don't even know it.

snip

Another big problem with TV sound is the mixing. The music is too loud
and the dialogue too soft, and there is too much ambience. Sometimes
it helps to switch it to mono.


The sound engineering on today's movies and TV programs just plain sucks.

tm

Not just the sound engineering but the picture engineering and the
script engineering and just about everything else engineering.

The only thing that TVs and DVD players are good for these days is a
good crack with a baseball bat.

 

[Michael Black]

On Mon, 27 May 2013, root wrote:

It is harder and harder for me to understand speech on TV audio.
I would like to be able to insert an equalizer into the audio
playback. Old receivers used to run the pre-amp output and the
amp input out the back. As shipped, the outputs and inputs were
shorted together but the short could be removed and an equalizer
inserted into the loop. Are there any HDMI compatible receivers
that offer that feature?

Also, I have been looking for a receiver that offers HD radio
and I haven't found any.

Any suggestions?
Thanks.

Get hearing aids.

At least, see if you need them.

Otherwise you're just compensating for bad hearing.

The hearing aids will help generally, not just for tv.

Michael

 

[Allodoxaphobia]

On Mon, 27 May 2013 15:31:58 -0400, tm wrote:

jurb6006@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:72a847c2-1b5f-4ecc-b091-5027f120aad2@googlegroups.com...
Many TVs now have equalizers built in. Check the audio menu for one, alot
of people have it and don't even know it.

snip

Another big problem with TV sound is the mixing. The music is too loud and
the dialogue too soft, and there is too much ambience. Sometimes it helps
to switch it to mono.

The sound engineering on today's movies and TV programs just plain sucks.

+1!

 

[Phil Allison]

"Allodoxaphobia"

The sound engineering on today's movies and TV programs just plain sucks.

+1!

** -1 from me.

The sound quality on the vast majority of DVDs, TV programs and movies on TV
is excellent.

I am referring to digital sources and normal stereo heard through hi-fi
speakers an a room that has little reverberation.

If you are watching in an almost bare room, running 5.1 surround et alia and
use cheap crappy speakers ( eg Bose) - then YOU have the created problem.

All bets are OFF if you are using the speakers included with flat screens -
as they fire downwards or backwards and sound like pox.


.... Phil

 

[William Sommerwerck]

The sound quality on the vast majority of DVDs, TV programs
and movies on TV is excellent.

A matter of opinion. CDs -- including classical CDs -- don't have anywhere
near the sound quality the medium is capable of.

 

[Phil Allison]

"William Sommerwanker Fuckwit TROLL"

The sound quality on the vast majority of DVDs, TV programs
and movies on TV is excellent.

A matter of opinion.

** As it can only ever be.

But neither is it an isolated or uninformed one.

CDs -- including classical CDs -- don't have anywhere near the sound
quality the medium is capable of.

** So fucking what ?

CDs are capable of a much higher technical performance than is NEEDED for
the reproduction of music.

TV sound is not CD related anyhow.


.... Phil

 

[William Sommerwerck]

"Phil Allison" wrote in message news:b0kqueF5q5nU1@mid.individual.net...
"William Sommerwanker Fuckwit TROLL"

The sound quality on the vast majority of DVDs, TV programs
and movies on TV is excellent.

A matter of opinion.

** As it can only ever be.
But neither is it an isolated or uninformed one.

It is. See below.

CDs -- including classical CDs -- don't have anywhere
near the sound quality the medium is capable of.

** So fucking what ?
CDs are capable of a much higher technical performance than is
NEEDED for the reproduction of music.

You're really displaying your ignorance.

Ever made live recordings? Of course not.

The sound of most CDs is a travesty of live sound. In fact, it is often so
poor that one can make a more-natural-sounding recording with a Compact
Cassette deck. (I know, because I've done it.)

 

[Phil Allison]

"William Sommerwanker Fuckwit TROLL"

The sound quality on the vast majority of DVDs, TV programs
and movies on TV is excellent.

A matter of opinion.

** As it can only ever be.
But neither is it an isolated or uninformed one.

It is.

** Get fucked - you stinking, ASD fucked MORON !

CDs -- including classical CDs -- don't have anywhere
near the sound quality the medium is capable of.

** So fucking what ?

CDs are capable of a much higher technical performance than is
NEEDED for the reproduction of music.

You're really displaying your ignorance.

** Get fucked - you stinking, ASD fucked MORON !

Then DROP FUCKING DEAD !!

 

[Klaatu]

"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:ko3cp6$ukm$1@dont-email.me...

"Phil Allison" wrote in message news:b0kqueF5q5nU1@mid.individual.net...
"William Sommerwanker Fuckwit TROLL"

The sound quality on the vast majority of DVDs, TV programs
and movies on TV is excellent.

A matter of opinion.

** As it can only ever be.
But neither is it an isolated or uninformed one.

It is. See below.


CDs -- including classical CDs -- don't have anywhere
near the sound quality the medium is capable of.

** So fucking what ?
CDs are capable of a much higher technical performance than is
NEEDED for the reproduction of music.

You're really displaying your ignorance.

Ever made live recordings? Of course not.

The sound of most CDs is a travesty of live sound. In fact, it is often so
poor that one can make a more-natural-sounding recording with a Compact
Cassette deck. (I know, because I've done it.)

I have to agree completely William. Natural sounding analog recordings are
why I still use an old S-VHS Zenith HiFi vcr with defeatable level control
and individual left/right gain controls to make great sounding recordings of
local bands. Good frequency response, no tape hiss, and 2 hour recording on
one tape. Analog audio to digital and back to analog has always sounded
cold, brittle and harsh to me. The VHS HiFi recordings sound better (to me)
than compact cassette, even using a dbx II compander. Dolby sucks. The old
JVC ANRS system worked well, but only on metal cassette tape. And as we all
know, high grade 1/4" reel to reel tape is impossible to find. YMMV.

 

[Klaatu]

"root" <NoEMail@home.org> wrote in message
news:ko0229$5bv$1@news.albasani.net...

It is harder and harder for me to understand speech on TV audio.
I would like to be able to insert an equalizer into the audio
playback. Old receivers used to run the pre-amp output and the
amp input out the back. As shipped, the outputs and inputs were
shorted together but the short could be removed and an equalizer
inserted into the loop. Are there any HDMI compatible receivers
that offer that feature?

Also, I have been looking for a receiver that offers HD radio
and I haven't found any.

Any suggestions?
Thanks.

Onkyo makes receivers with HD radio and internet radio built in. Check them
out.
I'm very satisfied with mine.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Klaatu"

"William Sommerwanker Fuckwit TROLL"


I have to agree completely William.

** William cannot read or think with any clarity at all.

Context is an unknown term to him, following a thread is also impossible.

That he why he massively over-snips and blithely changes the subject to one
of HIS fuckwit hobby horses.

These "horses" all look like dead donkeys to me.

As do you.



..... Phil

 

[William Sommerwerck]

The sound of most CDs is a travesty of live sound. In fact, it is often so
poor that one can make a more-natural-sounding recording with a Compact
Cassette deck. (I know, because I've done it.)

I have to agree completely William. Natural sounding analog recordings are
why I still use an old S-VHS Zenith HiFi vcr with defeatable level control
and individual left/right gain controls to make great sounding recordings of
local bands. Good frequency response, no tape hiss, and 2 hour recording on
one tape. Analog audio to digital and back to analog has always sounded
cold, brittle and harsh to me. The VHS HiFi recordings sound better (to me)
than compact cassette, even using a dbx II compander. Dolby sucks. The old
JVC ANRS system worked well, but only on metal cassette tape. And as we all
know, high grade 1/4" reel to reel tape is impossible to find. YMMV.

You partly misunderstood. I was not in any way defending analog recording.
Note that I said "most" CDs sound poor. There are superb-sounding CDs. Listen,
for example, to the CD layer of any hybrid SACD that has good SACD sound. The
CD should be nearly as good.

One of the reasons SACD "sounds better" than CD, is that producers and
engineers know these recordings are going to be listened to by audiophiles on
good equipment, so they don't bugger the sound as much.

One advantage of video HiFi recording is that it's FM, and not subject to many
of the problems of direct analog recording.