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Indyrvfolks · 11-26-2008, 12:33 PM

This forum has helped me every step of this CRT to LCD transition process, but I'm afraid I need to go to the experts one more time. After installing the LCD I purchased (Sanyo DP26648) I have only fixed (and very loud) surround sound volume. TV remote does not modulate volume when in surrond sound mode(dash switch on TV), but it does when using speakers integral to LCD TV. I have this nagging suspicion that the "barrel shaped gizmo" I removed from the old Sony Vega is somehow associated with the issue. I still have the gizmo, and could splice the appropriate Red and White A/V connectors on one end (other end already has...) but honestly don't understand if it would help or if it's a "red herring" and some other, more obvious problem is the root cause. The Sanyo LCD has a BUNCH of connection options but I'm a bit worried about accidentally toasting something in my pursuit of a solution. I've reviewed the owners manual for the TV don't see any clues about modulating this volume signal. Reading the manuals is about the extent of my technical skills in this arena. Anyone have any thoughts?

Indyrvfolks · 11-26-2008, 12:33 PM

This forum has helped me every step of this CRT to LCD transition process, but I'm afraid I need to go to the experts one more time. After installing the LCD I purchased (Sanyo DP26648) I have only fixed (and very loud) surround sound volume. TV remote does not modulate volume when in surrond sound mode(dash switch on TV), but it does when using speakers integral to LCD TV. I have this nagging suspicion that the "barrel shaped gizmo" I removed from the old Sony Vega is somehow associated with the issue. I still have the gizmo, and could splice the appropriate Red and White A/V connectors on one end (other end already has...) but honestly don't understand if it would help or if it's a "red herring" and some other, more obvious problem is the root cause. The Sanyo LCD has a BUNCH of connection options but I'm a bit worried about accidentally toasting something in my pursuit of a solution. I've reviewed the owners manual for the TV don't see any clues about modulating this volume signal. Reading the manuals is about the extent of my technical skills in this arena. Anyone have any thoughts?

emiddleb · 11-26-2008, 12:55 PM

Yes, it's a common complaint and if you search on "surround sound" you'll find many hits, explanations, etc.

Short version... you probably have the famous "Winne" surround sound. The old tv had the cable hardwired into your tv, probably into the speaker cables or similar, so that when you adjusted the tv volume using the remote it was the tv that raised/lowered the surround sound volume.

Check your tv audio settings and see if you can find an option to select "variable" output on your external sound.

FYI, the barrel gizmo isn't the issue here.

SCVJeff · 11-26-2008, 01:07 PM

What Ed said..

The gizmo is nothing more than a matching transformer because they needed to get into the audio stream of the old TV chassis that was never meant to be gotten into. You will either have a separate set of jacks that say "variable" (or something close), or it should be in the menu. Off the top of my head I can't think of any damage you could do by plugging into the various RCA jacks to see what you get. Just watch your volume or you may get a surprise.

tomsm · 11-26-2008, 01:30 PM

I did a quick search and found your owner's manual online. It appears you are correct. Other than a digital audio output, the ones you are connected to are your only audio outputs and there is no menu choice to make them variable. They are strictly intended to be connected to an amp that has it's own volume controls.

You can adjust the volume at the Winnie "surround sound" amp, but with a screwdriver, not a remote. Perhaps you could find a volume level that's OK for most TV watching. The amp is behind the driver's left foot rest on mine.

Probably the only way to get remote control of your volume is to buy a surround sound amp, either standalone or perhaps with a built-in DVD player or digital recorder. This would probably give you much better sound, but the problem is you have to reroute all the speaker wires from the Winnie amp to the new amp...

tomsm · 11-26-2008, 01:48 PM

One other thought - you could do what Winnie did with the Sony, which also had no variable audio out jacks. They tied into the TV speakers and created the RCA outputs. There are probably some impedance matching problems involved. Got any ham friends? Do TV repair shops still exist - they might be able to help...

SCVJeff · 11-26-2008, 04:11 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by tomsm:
One other thought - you could do what Winnie did with the Sony, which also had no variable audio out jacks. They tied into the TV speakers and created the RCA outputs. There are probably some impedance matching problems involved. Got any ham friends? Do TV repair shops still exist - they might be able to help... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Actually he's done! Remember that "gizmo" he was referring to?

LandHo · 11-26-2008, 06:06 PM

He needs one of these between the tv speaker rca out and the RV "surround" amp in...

STEREO REMOTE VOLUME CONTROL
N-22V
http://www.davidnavone.com/cart.asp?24&cat=5

Wayne M · 11-26-2008, 07:26 PM

One of the things we did years ago was to run speakers to every room in the house. I would go to Radio Shack, and for less than 20 buck buy a variable speaker switch for those rooms that we just didn't want it quite so loud.

This was a brown rectangle box that looked like a light switch receptacle except it had a potentiometer instead of a light switch.

I believe the same principle could be used in your case, but it would mean getting up and twisting the knob if you were not satisfied with the channel volume - and they do vary considerably.

Best advice given previously was to replace the audio amp with a modern version one, sit in the recliner, and enjoy your remote.

If you are electronically talented you could build your own potentiometer volume control and mount it next to your chair.

Indyrvfolks · 11-27-2008, 01:09 AM

Gentlemen: Thank you for your efforts here, most appreciated. I think "Plan A" is to wire the barrel gizmo back into the circuit and see if it's "livable". I'll try that over the long weekend. "Plan B" is to reach out to Navone Engineering for a off the shelf solution (I actually exchanged emails with Mr. Navone before posting this, but I think I failed to adequately describe the problem, so he had no suggestions [my bad]). "Plan C" is a trip to Radio Snacks to see what they have. However, my "Plan D" (buy an new motorhome) was summarily rejected by spouse. Again, thank you all for the effort and input. Regards,

smlranger · 11-27-2008, 03:38 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Indyrvfolks:
Gentlemen: Thank you for your efforts here, most appreciated. I think "Plan A" is to wire the barrel gizmo back into the circuit and see if it's "livable". I'll try that over the long weekend. "Plan B" is to reach out to Navone Engineering for a off the shelf solution (I actually exchanged emails with Mr. Navone before posting this, but I think I failed to adequately describe the problem, so he had no suggestions [my bad]). "Plan C" is a trip to Radio Snacks to see what they have. However, my "Plan D" (buy an new motorhome) was summarily rejected by spouse. Again, thank you all for the effort and input. Regards, </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I had same issue when I upgraded the front TV. Re-attaching the barrel gizmo will not make a difference...I tried that. From my efforts, here are your options:

1. solder connections to your TV speakers and create your own 'variable audio out' signals for the inputs to the surround system

2. make up or buy a cable so you can plug directly into your headphone jack on the TV to feed the surround (headphone jack's output varies with TV volume control). If you do that, you will kill the signal to the TV speakers and only be able to listen via the surround sound. I elected not to do that since at times we like to listen to the TV without the surround on.

3. get a couple of audio pots and a little project box and place that between the TV and the surround. That is what I did and it works fine I only wish I had gotten a double stacked pot so I would only have to turn one knob. I may get to that sometime.

Indyrvfolks · 11-27-2008, 07:56 AM

Thanks smlranger:

Is your home crafted solution similar to the N-22V stereo remote volume control device from Navone Engineering?

Wayne M · 11-27-2008, 08:56 AM

SMWrangler,
Just think. You have a system that can balance the speaker to the appropriate comfort for each ear. With a ganged pot., one would always be to loud.

smlranger · 11-27-2008, 04:32 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Is your home crafted solution similar to the N-22V stereo remote volume control device from Navone Engineering? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually, that N-22V gizmo looks like just what you would need. If I had been aware this was available, I would have ordered one myself.