Tenchi Muyo Ryo-ohki OVA 3 Vol.1 (English 5.1 audio issue )

[Sensuifu]

-moved from here (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1056037&page=0&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=&vc=1)-

After having gone over the disc again (more like spot-checking though), I can confirm something is wrong with the English 5.1 track, specifically the .1 channel. I wasn't completely sure about it the first time I was watching it and shrugged it off thinking it wasn't part of my system (due nearby subwoofer activity in another room); but there is something evidently wrong with the LFE track on this disc. The problem is that the LFE track exhibits spikes in volume. Actually, the LFE activity that's occurring shouldn't be present at the specific parts. I'm thinking the mix is 'leaking' low frequencies from the other channels and that the crossover filters on this mix are screwed. Because some of the dialog's bass is being reproduced (and quite heavily) on the subwoofer, you can notice booming sounds that sometimes intefere with the viewing.

The timestamps I took note of are on the first episode. Granted, I did have the overall volume moderately loud, but I'm sure (depending on your subwoofer's capability) it'll be noticeable regardless volume level. For the technically inclined, from the sound of the LFEs, I'm thinking it's somewhere between the 50-30Hz range, most likely 30Hz. If you can't hear it, if you can, try placing your hands on the woofer and take note of it's activity. It will move, sometimes synchronized with the dialog being spoken at the time. Here are the times where this problem occurs in minutes:seconds [37:55; 38:01; 38:16; 38:39; 38:46-49; 39:00] or easier, listen throughout the Washu-Nobuyuki scene when they're setting up Tenchi's computer. The sub will erratically produce moderately-low bass. Granted, this isn't the only time this LFE problem occurs, as I've noticed it throughout the disc.

I doubt it's my system, but I would like to have some others' input just in case it's only inherent to my setup.

Mod edit: Changed thread title to properly reflect that it's OVA3, not the original Ryo-Ohki release by Pioneer as I thought the thread was about at first. Funi really needs to get with the program and not mistitle their releases /images/graemlins/anger200.gif.

[Sensuifu]

update: I did another spot check on the English 5.1 audio track, mostly on my HT and a little on my PC setup; the problem exists on both setups. It mostly occurs during dialog but depending on your setup, you may not notice it. For setups that don't have a sub, this may not be an issue, but for anybody else with LFE capabilities, especially with subs that can extend below 35Hz, get used to hearing a lot of rumbling (but more apparent on louder volumes). The LFE channel almost sounds identical to the center (dialog is a little audible on the sub), and I wouldn't be surprised if it was actually a copy of it but equalized and filtered to cut dialog/higher frequencies.

More times where low bass is noticeable:
33:23 - 33:29
33:36, 33:45
35:44 - 35:59; 36:03
35:39 - thunderous sigh from Sasami
54:26 - 55:16 Airi arrives (lots of low frequency activity here)
1:07:45 - 1:07:59 - Airi & Tenchi
1:16:31 - 1:16:43 - Tenchi sick in bed (LFE rumble from Washu and Ayeka)

This is not a full listing of the LFE peaks, but just random scenes I noticed where the bass is prominent. The bass isn't as pronounced or loud as those of movie soundtracks, but it's there and those who hear it and get annoyed by it, you might want to turn off your sub. Better yet, listen to the 2.0 track if you prefer the dub. Something else to be aware of- anyone planning to listen to the 5.1 track via headphones, don't bother. Chances are you'll hear more of the problem than the setups with subs.

[Damaramu]

I just finished watching the disc, and unfortunately encountered some issues as well. However, i don't actually have a subwoofer (i think my receiver is meant to pass LFE to my front speakers ?) and it sounded to me more like a mixing problem.

When the dialogue was meant to be coming out of one of the front channels or the other (or possibly from a rear left or right channel), it sounded like there was a reverberation or echo or something applied to the vocals [kind of like how Alphonse is made to sound in FMA?], and the dialogue came from both rear channels as well as the front left or right. I'll have to play through it again, and maybe check the stereo track when i get a chance.

A good example of this occurred at timestamp ~ 1:21:??
In the third episode, when Noike (?) asks Ryoko to help with the chores, and then gets Akeya to pitch in with the washing as well. This is a good example because that scene contains dialogue they tried to confine to the front left and right channels, i think.

Glitch experienced on: Denon DVD 2910 to Onkyo TX-DS 575 to 5 channel speakers

Anyone else hearing something like this? Or does my description not make sense?

[Sousuke]

Nope, same here - although I mostly noticed it because the volume seemed to go up a few notches when the dialogue moved from the center to the front speakers. I didn't check if the rear speakers were involved, too.

Equipment: Sony DVP-NS905V (player); STR-DB1080 (receiver); 5.1 speaker setup.