Yes, so true. This volume issue happens only when a program comes on that is broadcast in stereo. When the next program comes on and it’s broadcast in 5.1, the volume comes back and it’s no problem.
So if I buy a TabloTV, will all my channels be volume deprived as long as I’m using the Samsung Blu Ray HT?
And if that is the case, would buying a 2.1 speaker system for my TV help in any way? And then just use the TV for sound instead of my Blu Ray?
And lastly, if going with TV for audio does that mean I’ll still get another auto-volume control problem you mention?
Thanks for replying so fast. I’m totally in love with the “idea” of what a TableTV can do for our living room.
Most likely, yes, because the Tablo’s audio is stereo only.
Any stereo speakers for the Tablo is the way to go.
External stereo speakers will probably be better than the built-in TV ones, though.
Undetermined, because it doesn’t seem to affect everyone, and auto volume tends to be the default for TVs that have that feature.
At least, everyone’s not complaining about it.
You should be able to turn off auto volume on your TV, though.
And if you do turn off auto volume, you’ll notice you’ll need to increase your TV volume significantly more than when auto volume was on.
I actually use auto volume on my TV, because it does tend to keep the volume at reasonable levels most of the time.
However, I use this trick that helps my TV volume issues.
Once a program starts, I go to my TV’s audio setup, turn off auto volume, and then turn it back on.
The volume increases.
It’s not like just increasing the volume using your TV remote.
It seems to tune the volume to the device that’s actively connected to the TV.
In my case, a Roku 4.
After the volume is tuned, every TV streaming app I use has better volume levels.
At least, until the next time the TV is turned on again.
Another audio feature some TVs have is a voice volume booster.
On my TV it’s called Clear Voice.
I set Clear Voice to the maximum, and can hear characters’ voices more distinctly, even when loud action sounds occur at the same time.
One last thing, I noticed some programs have much lower sound than you’d expect, even if it’s an episode of a TV series broadcast on the same channel.
For example, older Judge Judy episodes have a much lower volume than later ones.
I always crank up the volume on the older episodes, even after tuning my volume the way I described above.
Thanks for the voice tip. I had never noticed the Clear Voice option. Since we tend to watch programming that is voice intensive rather than action oriented, that is a nice feature. PBS\British programming (even mysteries) that we enjoy through Acorn tend to be speech dominated (conversational in nature).
If your TV does have the Clear Voice option, it can only be enabled when the TV is set to stereo mode.
So, again, stereo mode, wins for me.
Thanks for that awesome response Radojevic. That’s some GOOD advice. I’m going to evaluate changing to a 2.1 external speaker setup for my TV. If I can do that and maintain good volumes, than TabloTV for Christmas may still happen.
And I really appreciate Clear Voice tip. I’m going to look for that as well.
I enjoy watching movies with 5.1 surround, but not at the expense of ruining the rest of my TV experience. 2.1 is great for music and regular television programming anyway.
Thanks
Just putting my 2 cents in here. Wehave a Tablo 4-tuner, Roku 3, and a7.1 LG blu-ray DVD player/tuner from 2007 and we have had no problem with the sound. Now I am not saying it is the best , but we get surround sound. We run the Roku 3 to the tv , then the the tv to the tuner and sound is awesome.
Is there any chance this gets implemented within the next year or two? I was just about to purchase a Tablo until I saw 5.1 was not supported. Huge deal breaker for me.
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I don’t have the heart to tell you. 
Not happening. They couldn’t care less about this feature. Sorry to break it to you, I held on for over a year waiting with no progress.
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I disagree with that. They know the feature is wanted. It is just a matter of whether they want to work on this feature for the next year at the cost of many other features and bug fixes.
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Anyone have experience to share re 5:1 audio with Homeworx DVR?
Worked for me just fine when I owned one. Picture and sound quality were on point.
Thanks. “When I owned one”?
I owned one for a few months early last year before I bought a Tablo.
Works fine for me though I’m a stereo person. Don’t see that 5.1 (or more) adds that much more to my enjoyment of entertainment. I also have a SACD player and I stopped buying SACD\DVD-Audio\Blueray-Audio a little while ago because stereo CD gives me what I need in music quite well. The extra cost, low availability and marginally better sound is just not worth it. These things are like 3D - not going anywhere fast except for some aficionados! I might add that I listen to music much more through ear headphones and thus convert all my audio media to MP3.
BTW the Homeworx has been doing great recording several football games a week thus far. I love its standby mode in which it stays cool all the time. Two friends who didn’t want to spend more than $100 for recording capabilities and are quite content with a simple, textual, 24 hour guide bought some. I now tell friends who go OTA but don’t want to go the $$$ Tablo\Tivo\ChannelMaster route to just get a Homeworx with pocket change.
I opened the gates of hell here a while back for expressing the same opinion during a long thread. Ah (sigh) priorities.
Yeah I’m enjoying the Homeworx too but that remote is a bitch. Happily I’ve got it programmed on my Harmony 650.
Yes that remote is the pits. Calculated to make someone go blind. And the responsiveness, oh my! Also reprogrammed it for the sake of sanity!
Usually friends and acquaintances who quit cable are not motivated to spend another dollar. They’ll install an antenna and get a streaming player but are in no mood to shell out another $200-400 for a DVR (plus any monthly fees). When I tell them that a $30 DVR is available with the semblance of a guide, they pounce on it!
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I am using it for live TV with my projector. Works great set up with my Logitech 650. Love the time shift option for football
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I’m also using the Homeworx for my projector. Has great picture quality with timeshifting. Love watching football this way!