Sony AV - Dynamic Range Compression Query

[Alfie]

I'm hoping someone can answer this as I've tried all the forums / google / manuals to no avail.

My Sony STR-DH810 AVR has 4 dynamic range compression settings.

1. Off
2. Auto
3. Standard
4. Max

The default setting is Auto but what on earth does it do?????

Off, standard and max are obvious but Auto? Does anyone know? To complicate things further, my Sony BR player has a Auto DRC setting too.

Sony really need to describe their settings in the manual beyond "Controls dynamic range automatically".

Can anyone help? I've got it set to off for now anyway.

Cheers

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

DRC as it's name suggests "compresses" the volume range for movies. The theory being that if you have say quiet dialogue, followed by LOUD explosions, that the machine will reduce the volume differences, thus upsetting your neighbour less. Good idea, but along the way, it DOES impact upon sound quality.
In reality, really depends upon your circumstances. You have a room in which you can play at whatever volume you like, turn it off. You got easy to upset neighbours, turn it on.

 

[lucid]

"Auto" is the middle-of-the-road option for people who can't make up their own minds lol