Re: Sound Quality Problems
From: Mackenzie Williams (Mackenzie_at_NO-SPAMmacknzie.net)
Date: 01/23/05
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Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 11:45:14 -0700
First, just a little history. (it is relevant, I promise :) )
My desktop is in the next room from where I generally spend my time. I
generally do all my actual work on my laptop in that other room. After
I ripped all my music, I just sort of put it all on random and turned it
up a bit. It wasn't an ideal solution. When I was in that other room,
it was generally for playing games. I never noticed any problem with
sound quality, but as I said, it's great on games.
Recently, I ran speaker cables to my living room system, and that's when
I really noticed the sound quality problems, and that brings us to where
we are now. I kind of wanted to explain why I didn't notice until now,
and why I don't know if it's always been like that or if something
changed it.
I did try a couple tests. First I should mention that Winamp does play
wma and mp3 files natively. The sound quality is fine, on either file.
WMP10 is bad regardless of file format. I should also mention that I
only installed Winamp after noticing the problem, so that's not the
cause. I hooked a minijack to RCA audio output onto my laptop and
performed the same test, running the audio into my stereo. I had
approximately the same result with an mp3 (tested using iTunes), though
I did not actually test a wma file because I didn't feel like
downloading and installing Winamp for just the test. I'm reasonably
certain that the test would be the same, anyway.
I suppose that means it's probably not a strange codec (though I can't
guess how that would have been the problem) as the only one I've
installed on my laptop is a DivX codec for some video files.
I should also note that the exact same files sound great on my Creative
Jukebox Zen Xtra, as well.
Any tips are appreciated, otherwise I think I'll have to switch players.
As much as I enjoy a couple features, sound quality is most important.
MW
-----Original Message-----
From: Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media] [mailto:neil@nospam.com]
Posted At: Sunday, January 23, 2005 5:01 AM
Posted To: microsoft.public.windowsmedia
Conversation: Sound Quality Problems
Subject: Re: Sound Quality Problems
On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 21:40:22 -0700, "Mackenzie Williams"
<Mackenzie@NO-SPAMmacknzie.net> wrote:
>So I take it there really are no other suggestions?
I was rather hoping somebody else might chip in with some ideas, guess
not. If you can't try the files in question on another PC, and we
don't know the file format (type) I guess we're stuck.
Let's try to back up a bit : Are the files 'off CD' audio files ?
You've converted them to windows media, not MP3 format ?
When you say you can play the files in other applications, this
implies they're not windows media format, but something else...
So - under tools->options->devices you have got your CD drives both
set to rip in digital format, and to use jitter control and the rest ?
Just wanted to check you weren't getting problems using the analog
chain through your soundcard.
> How about the
>obliteration of WMP10 and re-installing with no remains of the prior
>installation left? Is there any way to do that?
Well, there's rollback if you've not installed anthing else in the
time since you added media player. Or it should be an entry under
add/remove programs .... anything there ?
>I really would rather use WMP10 for various reasons, if possible and if
>I could get this issue resolved. The reasons are totally outweighed by
>the sound quality, though.
>
>
>MW
>________________________________________
>From: Mackenzie Williams [mailto:Mackenzie@macknzie.net]
>Posted At: Thursday, January 20, 2005 6:37 PM
>Posted To: microsoft.public.windowsmedia
>Conversation: Sound Quality Problems
>Subject: Re: Sound Quality Problems
>
>It's hard to say, the only computer I really have access to is my
laptop
>(student). I haven't tried the headphone thing yet, but what really
>gets me is that the same _files_ play just fine in other applications
>(and the audio in games is great). I'm thinking that must indicate
>something in WMP10 since, as far as I know, all applications use the
>same drivers.
>And by nails on a blackboard with sustained tones, I don't mean high
>pitched, but that discordant, shoot-me-in-the-head undertone that
>underlines everything. It doesn't sound like any feedback I've ever
>heard, which generally sounds like a solid tone to me.
>
>MW
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media] [mailto:neil@nospam.com]
>Posted At: Thursday, January 20, 2005 11:18 AM
>Posted To: microsoft.public.windowsmedia
>Conversation: Sound Quality Problems
>Subject: Re: Sound Quality Problems
>Well you're reaching the "beats the sh*t out of me" area now. Hmm, can
>you repro with the same files on a different computer - at work say ?
>And how does it sound with headphones/headset, same effect ?
>It's just that I've never had this problem so it's difficult to
>imagine what you're experiencing - the "nails on blackboard with
>sustained tones" sounds like feedback loop from the description -
>that's the only pointer I can think of to work this out.
>Cheers - Neil
>On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 06:32:27 -0700, "Mackenzie Williams"
><Mackenzie@macknzie.net> wrote:
>>I'm afraid I had already done the bit with the equalizer and had
turned
>
>>off all effects. Nothing in my speakers (they're the simple Creative
>>4.1 variety from a few years ago; I don't remember the model number).
>>Likewise negative on the feedback. My mic isn't plugged in (for that
>>very reason).
>>
>>Perhaps starting on the ground? Is there a way to completely remove
>all
>>components so that I can then reinstall from scratch? Just wondering
>if
>>a codec or five are messed up somehow? When I did a reinstall over
the
>
>>old WMP10, it did nothing.
>>
>>
>>MW
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media] [mailto:neil@nospam.com]
>>Posted At: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 1:59 PM
>>Posted To: microsoft.public.windowsmedia
>>Conversation: Sound Quality Problems
>>Subject: Re: Sound Quality Problems
>>
>>I suppose the first thing I'd try is to go to the menu in WMP10 :
>>
>>View -> Enhancements -> Graphic equalizer.
>>
>>Now, click the Reset link, ensuring the balance is in the middle.
>>Next, go to the same menu and pick "Quiet Mode". Make sure that's all
>>turned off (the link should say "turn on" if it's off !)
>>
>>Also, check your speakers, many now have sound enhancers (Sub-Bass,
>>high frequency boost etc) built in, make sure that's all turned off.
>>
>>Did any of that effect the sounds you're hearing ?
>>
>>Next thing to check is you're not getting any feedback. The most
>>likely cause is a microphone or headset plugged in, which is set by
>>mistake to play back through the speakers. This will give 'ringing'
>>which depends on how far away from the speakers, and the volume.
>>Unplug it. Did that help ?
>>
>>If it did, investigate your system Volume Control applet. The
>>Microphone should *not* be enabled in the playback (though it can be
>>enabled for Recording). This sort of problem is common if you use
>>stuff like netmeeting a lot, and have your mic configured wrong.
>>
>>Cheers - Neil
>>
>>On Tue, 18 Jan 2005 16:01:46 -0700, "Mackenzie Williams"
>><Mackenzie@macknzie.net> wrote:
>>
>>>Well, I'm no sound engineer, but basically terrible fidelity. It
>>sounds
>>>a lot like terrible speakers that are straining to get the sound out.
>>>The sound has that sort of nails on blackboard timbre during long
>>tones,
>>>but not necessarily echo.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>MW
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>
>>>If pressed, could you describe what is wrong ?
>>>
>>>Bad treble ? Skipping ? Sounds-like-echo ?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Cheers - Neil
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 23:58:02 -0600, Mackenzie Williams
>>><mackenzie@No_Spam_macknzie.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>I've noticed some pretty awful sound quality with WMP10. I tried
>>every
>>>
>>>
>>>>setup option I could think of. It's only with playback of music
>files
>>
>>>
>>>>(both ripped and directly off the CD), not DVDs or video files.
>>>
>>>>Additionally, I know it's not my hardware or speakers because
>>>
>>>>everything sounds perfect on Winamp. Any ideas?
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>>Thanks,
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>>MW
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
- Next message: Leraje: "RE: how to uninstall wmp10 and get wmp9 back"
- Previous message: allgoo19: "Re: Problem I had with Media Player10"
- In reply to: Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media]: "Re: Sound Quality Problems"
- Next in thread: Jesse: "RE: Sound Quality Problems"
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ]
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