This ensures a consistent volume when watching TV and streaming

The problem of fluctuating volume levels when watching TV and streaming is well known. Sometimes it's the advertising that's too loud compared to the much quieter rest of the program, sometimes it's the streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney + that are much louder than the TV program, or it's the almost obligatory jumps in volume between advertising and user-generated content on YouTube.

But the constantly changing volume levels within feature films can also become annoying. The scenery explodes with excessive volume and immediately afterwards the actors speak to each other so quietly that you can no longer follow what exactly is going on.

A common but very unsatisfactory solution is to constantly adjust the volume fluctuations using the remote control. This usually doesn't work satisfactorily because you don't know the film you are adjusting in real time. The result is that you want to make the loud parts quieter and the quiet parts louder, but you only manage to do this in a small proportion of cases. The result: the loud parts become even louder, and the quiet parts become too quiet.

This is particularly annoying for other viewers on the sofa, in the worst case the neighbors or even sleeping family members - and of course for yourself, because you can't relax and enjoy the TV experience. But that's exactly why you sat in front of the device in the first place.

TV settings in the sound menu

Another attempt at a solution can be found in some TV models in the sound menu under the name “Automatic volume adjustment”, “Night Mode” or similar.

This function usually works with classic dynamic compression. Classic dynamic compression works by removing certain sound components from the loud parts so that the quiet parts sound louder. You basically press the sound material down a little from above and the so-called transients, which are responsible for the bright sound components, can disappear or be reduced. By pressing the loud sound components, the quiet parts inevitably become a little louder if you have previously increased the overall volume. However, if you listen to such a sound result over a longer period of time, you get the feeling that something is missing, namely the brilliance. Everything sounds a little duller, which in turn makes speech more incomprehensible, and so you turn this feature off again after a short time.

It is not without reason that the problem of fluctuating volume levels and sometimes incomprehensible dialogues on TV and streaming is well known despite these solutions. There is a new solution to this well-known problem called HDSX TV Sound Optimizer.

The palm-sized device is integrated between a television and an external TV sound system, such as a soundbar, hi-fi system or even an AVR with connected speakers. This has the advantage that the mini speakers inside the television, which are usually too small and therefore sound tinny, are no longer needed, as the sound comes from the higher quality additional speakers.

New technology for consistent volume

The HDSX TV Sound Optimizer works with two completely new technologies: HDSX.volume regulates the volume intelligently and in a new way so that the problems of classic dynamic compression described above do not even arise. The transients and all other sound components are retained completely and as in the original, so there is no fatigue effect or the feeling of a dull sound.

Advertisements are no longer louder than the rest of the program and all programs and program sources are perfectly coordinated and harmonized in terms of volume. The remote control is therefore no longer needed to regulate the volume.

The second innovative technology built into the optimizer is "HDSX.speech". Unlike functions built into some televisions, such as "Clear Speech", where the actors' voices often sound very sharp and unnatural over time, HDSX.speech does not change the timbre of the voices. They continue to sound natural and expressive.

The reason for this new naturalness of clear speech is that HDSX.speech places the speech spatially in front of the rest of the scenery. This means that it naturally has more space and is no longer overlaid by music and noise, which are the main reasons for sometimes incomprehensible dialogues on TV and streaming.

The HDSX TV Sound Optimizer is available in two connection variants: a) TOSLINK with a digital optical input and output, as well as an analog output for connecting to digital and analog sound systems, as well as headphones b) HDMI ARC with an HDMI ARC input and output, as well as an analog input for connecting TV and sound systems, both of which have an HDMI ARC connection. Thanks to HDMI ARC and CEC, it is possible to control both the TV and the sound system with just one remote control.

Easy installation

Installation is extremely simple: The HDSX TV Sound Optimizer is connected between the HDMI ARC or digital audio output of the TV and the HDMI ARC or digital or analogue input of the sound system. One cable goes from the TV to the optimizer, one from the optimizer to the sound system. The little wonder box gets its power from a free USB port on the TV or sound system, so that it switches on and off together with the TV and does not become a hidden power guzzler.

The sound result is great fun, as all program content can now be heard at a reliable volume with consistently clear speech on all channels. This is great news for neighbors, sleeping family members, and viewers with different hearing abilities who sit together in front of the TV.