5.1 audio downmix to stereo volume too low for mobile use

General Discussions
1

There are tons of threads on this topic. Trying to find one that isn’t closed and to up-vote it is painful, so I started a new one. Moderators - I’d recommend you group them all together to a votable feature request, I think this would result in a ton of upvotes!

As many have noted, the default 5.1 to stereo downmixing reduces overall volume. For a TV or A/V receiver, one can just crank it up. But for my phone and my tablet, especially when travelling on a plane or in a noisy car, the result is often a complete fail.

At max volume, I can’t hear the dialog in my movies. Audio boost doesn’t help. I really need at least +8db.

Request: (1) allow a huge DB boost to all audio, setable by the user. I don’t care if it clips the audio. I’d rather have some clipping and be able to hear it.! (2) be able to set a default value for this boost for 5.1 downmixes.

2

Are you talking about when PMS transcodes the audio? Or direct playing 5.1 on your device?

3

It’s a samsung S2, I think it is PMS transcoding to stereo … do you have the same issue?

4

I’m guessing you mean the Tab S2 and not the Galaxy S2, that’s a really old phone. I have not notices any issues with sound levels.

Please double check when this is happening, direct play or direct stream or transcode, and what codecs are involved so I can try to recreate.

5

Thank you for your help! Client info:

  • Galaxy tab S2 tablet - only a year old, they’re still being sold!
  • ExoPlayer v2
  • 1920x1080
  • Direct Play
  • No other lines are here. perhaps it is trying to play 5.1 on the client audio?

Source material / server:

  • from bluray via makemkv and handbrake
  • video - full resolution
  • audio: english ac3 5.1
  • yes, it’s a movie I own and purchase, it’s on the tablet for the kids to see

Thanks!

6

Is there any other info I can capture or alternatives to try? Thanks for your help!

7

You tablet is trying to play the 5.1 audio. Settings \ Advanced \ Player \ Optional audio support. Turn off all these options. This should get PMS to transcode the audio to stereo.

8

Thanks for the help! Under this menu, optional audio support, the setting is already none. Any other ideas?

9

any other ideas?

10

I’ll need to see a log from the app while it’s playing to see if it is using the 5.1 or stereo. It should be transcoding to stereo. If so, you can also try changing the audio boost setting. Advanced \ Audio \ Audio Boost.

11

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