HDTV Forum

I had cable recently installed with the box mainly connected to our bedroom TV.

An extra line on a splitter leads to our Magnovox 15 inch flat screen HDTV on the back porch (gets fewer channels since not connected to a box).
My issue is with the volume on different channels.

We can adjust it up to 100% and only get "normal" volume. On some channels it is even lower at 100% setting, on some louder.
This is not a problem on our bedroom 32 inch HDTV set.

This is quite annoying. I've never had this problem before on other TV's.

My question regards whether a TV technician can do anything about this (is there a chip inside set that controls volume that might be defective?)

I would expect at 100% to get a volume "too loud" that could always be adjusted downward.

Sounds like you are using the RF cable line and boxes can have volume controls... If so, you need to get the cable box remote reset to "out of box" mode so it will control the box volume and it should be all the way up so things return to normal when using the RF output.

We might be able to help with a box brand and model #

How is the cable used? Is it split before or after the cable box? What type of connection are you using on the cable box and both TVs?

I've had similar problems but it was OTA signals and primarily from just one network and one program. I called the local CBS broadcaster and emailed CBS concerning the CSI Miami show. Didn't hear anything back from CBS but the local station station set it was a function of the network and what they sent them for the 5.1 audio package to basically (in my words) show off all the bells and whistles of 5.1 experience. Wow, just what I needed. There is also a difference in levels from analog to digital audio even on the same stations and programs.

John

I just hooked up a non HGTV 15 inch (not flat screen) to the cable on porch and its volume was much louder.

I called a TV shop and they told me that most HDTV flat screens (even some of the large ones) have low volumes, figuring people will hook into surround sound.

This is frustrating if true, as I am not going to rig surround sound on my porch.

The only way is to shop for a new set and compare volume levels right on the shelf before buying.

Does anyone know whether certain brands of small HDTV flat screens are louder than other brands (the one I am having trouble with is a Magnavox)?

One possible solution could be to get inexpensive powered speakers and connect them to the headphones output of the tv. As a bonus you will most likely get much better sound quality than what your tv speakers produce. An old tabletop radio with line in would work too.

Hi profbob --

You will have "issues" with ALL / Any very small display LCD TVs.

These universally have very bad & tiny internal speakers + limited power anyway plus your particular model is { was }
mfg by Philips as an economy one as well --- of course, Philips has left the US television market now

Do get some sort of separate amplifier / speaker setup ... some Receivers will have two zones, one for your patio & the other for the HD viewing room ... not mandatory to spend a fortune at all. Then, you could simply set that tiny speaker to "off!'

eli

$100 PC speaker with sub is a great inexpensive solution as well.