Volume range on HD200 not large enough?

[kbyrd]

Short version:
I think the dynamic range of the HD200s volume output over HDMI is too small. Anyone else seeing this or maybe have some suggestions?

Long version:
I've got a HD200 connected to a TV via HDMI. The TV plays the audio through its speakers, no receiver/amp or anything. I've got PCM selected on the HD200, the volume control on the HD200 does affect the volume of the output. My source is a single HDHR, with both tuners hooked up to a Comcast cable, receiving a few clear QAM channels.

Ever since moving to an HD200 for my front end, I have noticed that I have to muck with the volume on the TV pretty often. That is, for one show, I can't seem to get the volume high enough by just using the HD200 remote so I have to crank up the TV volume. On another show, with the same TV volume settings, I can't get the volume low enough. The lowest setting on the HD200 volume will be too loud, so I either get no sound or too much volume at the first step.

I don't mean the volume change for commercials. I can deal with that. I just want to be able to find some volume setting on the TV, that results in the lowest volume on the HD200 being a bit too quiet and the highest volume on the HD200 being a bit too loud. Before the HD200, I had a WinXP PC driving the TV via the same HDMI cable and I did not have this problem. I found a reasonable setting on the TV, and the range of volume control on the soundcard was fine. The source (clear QAM via HDHR) was the same as it is now.


Help? Suggestions?

[Taddeusz]

Your TV should be able to decode Dolby Digital. Have you tried setting the audio out put to stream that to the TV over HDMI? This would also mean that your HD200 volume would not work and only your TV volume would have any affect.

[kbyrd]

That doesn't solve the overall problem, which is that I don't want to have to use two remotes (the HD200 and the TV remote). I know I could buy a universal remote, but I didn't have to before using the extender, the range on my motherboard's built-in audio was fine for weeks and I don't want to have to buy one just to because the output range of the HD200 is to narrow.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by kbyrd

That doesn't solve the overall problem, which is that I don't want to have to use two remotes (the HD200 and the TV remote). I know I could buy a universal remote, but I didn't have to before using the extender, the range on my motherboard's built-in audio was fine for weeks and I don't want to have to buy one just to because the output range of the HD200 is to narrow.

I see your point but having the decoding done in the TV may make the volume less variable. It might just have better audio circuits to make the output more manageable. It doesn't hurt to at least try. If it doesn't solve this particular problem you haven't lost anything.

Personally I'm sold on universal remotes. I already own one Logitech Harmony and am going to buy a second for the bedroom. I also have the mindset that the device outputting the audio should be the one controlling the volume. Meaning the TV or surround receiver. And a universal remote, particularly like a Harmony, just streamlines the process since you can tell it which device controls the volume.

Not that I'm trying to convince you to go the route of a universal remote but it might be the better option if letting the TV do the audio decoding fixes this particular problem.