Lord of the Rings DVD Sound

Eomer · 10-01-2003, 08:28 AM

Was going to post this in another thread, but I decided to do it seperately. This is mostly to do with the extended version of FOTR, however it might also apply to both the normal versions of FOTR and TTT. Has anyone else found that the sound mixing in them leaves something to be desired?

Now, don't get me wrong, the sound effects, scoring, and dialogue are all awesome and sound great. My problem, though, is that it seems like the action scenes, or the big panoramic shots with loud music, tend to be very overpowering, and the quieter dialogue scenes tend to be very quiet and hard to make out. I find that when I watch FOTR (I have only had a chance to watch TTT on DVD once, and it didn't seem as noticeable I don't think) on my home system, I am constantly adjusting the volume in an effort to not piss off the neighbours, but still hear the dialogue.

I hadn't really thought much of this until a neighbour that borrowed the DVD said he had a hell of a time making out the dialogue. He is an older guy, who had never really heard of LOTR up until the movies came out, so it would be much harder for him to make out what was going on than someone who is familiar with the story. After watching the movie the first time, he had virtually no idea what the characters names etc were, most likely because he isn't familiar enough with DVD's and A/V equipment to sit there and play with the sound constantly (he is like 60). I asked my sister, and she said she had noticed the same thing on her system as well.

And no, I don't think it's a problem with my system. I have a pretty awesome setup that sounds awesome and well balanced for virtually everything else.

So, has anyone else noticed this?

Nanaki Ikanan · 10-01-2003, 09:35 AM

Yes, I noticed that with Extended FoTR as well. I don't have any special speakers or anything, just my TV, and adjusting the sound got really annoying.

Ming · 10-01-2003, 12:32 PM

I noticed this as well. I'm obsessive about DVD sound, often spending 10 minutes messing with the settings while my wife sits there glaring at me.

Blazar · 10-02-2003, 04:52 PM

One thing you may be missing is an adequate size and range speaker for the center channel. My center channel blows which is why dialogue tends to be muddy.

get as expensive a center channel as possible and movies will likely sound a lot better for you. satellite style speakers are worthless and particularly poor as center channels.

Vorph · 10-02-2003, 05:34 PM

Hmm, no... I have no issues at all with the FotR Extended Edition. Sounds great whether I watch it at the computer (DTS 5.1) or on the TV (DTS-ES 6.1).

Are you using the DD or the DTS audio? I don't think I've ever listened to the DD version myself.

Blazar is right, too. Too many people skimp on center channel speakers, when in fact it's the rear channel which you should sacrifice quality on if your budget demands it.

Eomer · 10-03-2003, 05:54 AM

It's not a problem with my system, I am pretty sure of that. Like I said, every other DVD sounds great, the system when bought was in the tens of thousands. Dialogue in every other movie is fine. I watched TTT a few nights ago, and it wasn't nearly as bad as FOTR. I still had to play with the volume a bit from time to time, but not nearly as much as I do with FOTR

Kaxmax · 10-03-2003, 06:20 AM

I have noticed the same thing. I have a pretty solid home theater setup, and a nice 5.1 computer setup also (Logitech Z-680s). I especially notice it on my PC. Dialogue is hard to make out at times, while some of the battle scenes can literally shake the room. For instance, I often have to turn it down at the end, when the orcs are running along the hill and the drums are pounding.

It's most definitely not my center channel, as my home theater center is solid, and the 680s are praised as having one of the best center speakers in the multimedia world.

Vorph · 10-03-2003, 11:15 AM

I'm still curious if you're seeing the problem with both DD and DTS, or with just DD?

10-01-2003, 08:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Eomer You mean I can change this? Neat! Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 9,810 +29 Internets	Lord of the Rings DVD Sound Was going to post this in another thread, but I decided to do it seperately. This is mostly to do with the extended version of FOTR, however it might also apply to both the normal versions of FOTR and TTT. Has anyone else found that the sound mixing in them leaves something to be desired? Now, don't get me wrong, the sound effects, scoring, and dialogue are all awesome and sound great. My problem, though, is that it seems like the action scenes, or the big panoramic shots with loud music, tend to be very overpowering, and the quieter dialogue scenes tend to be very quiet and hard to make out. I find that when I watch FOTR (I have only had a chance to watch TTT on DVD once, and it didn't seem as noticeable I don't think) on my home system, I am constantly adjusting the volume in an effort to not piss off the neighbours, but still hear the dialogue. I hadn't really thought much of this until a neighbour that borrowed the DVD said he had a hell of a time making out the dialogue. He is an older guy, who had never really heard of LOTR up until the movies came out, so it would be much harder for him to make out what was going on than someone who is familiar with the story. After watching the movie the first time, he had virtually no idea what the characters names etc were, most likely because he isn't familiar enough with DVD's and A/V equipment to sit there and play with the sound constantly (he is like 60). I asked my sister, and she said she had noticed the same thing on her system as well. And no, I don't think it's a problem with my system. I have a pretty awesome setup that sounds awesome and well balanced for virtually everything else. So, has anyone else noticed this?

10-02-2003, 04:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Blazar Fires of Heaven Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 78 -2 Internets	One thing you may be missing is an adequate size and range speaker for the center channel. My center channel blows which is why dialogue tends to be muddy. get as expensive a center channel as possible and movies will likely sound a lot better for you. satellite style speakers are worthless and particularly poor as center channels. __________________ Blazar FoH!

10-02-2003, 05:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Vorph Never Go Full Retard Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 5,684	Hmm, no... I have no issues at all with the FotR Extended Edition. Sounds great whether I watch it at the computer (DTS 5.1) or on the TV (DTS-ES 6.1). Are you using the DD or the DTS audio? I don't think I've ever listened to the DD version myself. Blazar is right, too. Too many people skimp on center channel speakers, when in fact it's the rear channel which you should sacrifice quality on if your budget demands it. __________________ Last edited by Vorph : 10-02-2003 at 05:44 PM.

10-03-2003, 11:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Vorph Never Go Full Retard Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 5,684	I'm still curious if you're seeing the problem with both DD and DTS, or with just DD? __________________ Last edited by Vorph : 10-03-2003 at 11:18 AM.

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10-01-2003, 09:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Nanaki Ikanan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 460 -1 Internets	Yes, I noticed that with Extended FoTR as well. I don't have any special speakers or anything, just my TV, and adjusting the sound got really annoying.

10-01-2003, 12:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ming Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Denver Posts: 150 -1 Internets	I noticed this as well. I'm obsessive about DVD sound, often spending 10 minutes messing with the settings while my wife sits there glaring at me.

10-03-2003, 05:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
Eomer You mean I can change this? Neat! Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 9,810 +29 Internets	It's not a problem with my system, I am pretty sure of that. Like I said, every other DVD sounds great, the system when bought was in the tens of thousands. Dialogue in every other movie is fine. I watched TTT a few nights ago, and it wasn't nearly as bad as FOTR. I still had to play with the volume a bit from time to time, but not nearly as much as I do with FOTR

10-03-2003, 06:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
Kaxmax Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,981 +0 Internets	I have noticed the same thing. I have a pretty solid home theater setup, and a nice 5.1 computer setup also (Logitech Z-680s). I especially notice it on my PC. Dialogue is hard to make out at times, while some of the battle scenes can literally shake the room. For instance, I often have to turn it down at the end, when the orcs are running along the hill and the drums are pounding. It's most definitely not my center channel, as my home theater center is solid, and the 680s are praised as having one of the best center speakers in the multimedia world.