TV Volume Problem

That's exactly the effect of a poorly designed circuit offering simulated surround with two cheap speakers and 10 watts to drive them (that's the what drives my entire LED back patio lighting). It's a lot to do with the engineers at the networks who are optimizing the digital sound to work with 5.1 Dolby Digital, not two-channel built-in monitor speakers. Older movies are processed with sometimes little thought about how the sound quality will be with no ability to configure the sound on the consumer end. If you can afford more, go to the better quality SONY, Panasonic, Onkyo or other compact home entertainment surround systems. That will obviously give you a better center channel where the voices are reproduced and a sub-woofer which will handle newer movie soundtracks or classical music. Watching opening night at Lincoln Center through two ten watt tiny speakers would be classified as water boarding.

Have you decided how to clear up your problem?

I have been busy with other concerns lately, such as the out of town trip. I have to do this in a way my wife will agree with. Right now, she is counting pennies extremely closely, so it will likely take a while for me to act.

Amazon has a great deal on an even newer system and their Amazon credit card is, I believe, six months no interest.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-BRAVIA-DAV-HDX285-5-1-Channel-Theater/dp/B001UDGQ7W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1248203685&sr=8-4

If you connect your existing DVD player, it will upgrade the picture to 1080p (again, not really adding any detail that is not in the original 420p DVD, but they definitely look better -- it does require an HDMI connector which you can add on cheaply when ordering the unit -- it's offered right below it).

I do know my equipment and it's pretty amazing what this small investment will do to increase your enjoyment of TV and DVD.

I have found a temporary $12 solution. The directional hearing devices seen on TV and in stores actually work. I watched a dirty Harry film this evening and heard every word.