Lenogris posted a question in forum about low volume when playing DVD movies at his sister’s computer. The low volume only happens when he plays DVD movies. MP3 music and Windows sound is loud. He tried using headphones but the volume is still very low. When played the DVD on his and his dad’s computer, the volume is fine.

At first I didn’t know what can cause the low volume problem when playing DVD because I never watch DVD movies at my laptop or desktop. For Lenogris case, there’s only 2 possibility. It’s either the sound card is faulty, or the codec problem. Out of curiosity, I took some DVDs from my store room and played it on my laptop. At the DVD menu, the sound is loud enough. Now I start the movie, the volume is also low! Looks like I also have the same problem as Lenogris!

I search in Google on low DVD volume and found that many people are actually having this problem especially on laptops. Laptop’s volume can never be louder than desktop speakers even if you cranked it to the maximum volume. I’ve managed to find a solution to boost the volume for DVD movies.

Before I show you how I boost the volume when watching DVD movies, here are some basic settings you should check to make sure that it’s not your codec problem.

1. Windows Volume
- See a small speaker icon at the bottom right hand side tray bar? Double click on the speaker icon and you’ll get Volume Control. Make sure that you’ve tried bringing up the slider to the max for Volume Control and Wave. If you can’t see Volume Control or Wave, go to Options -> Properties and check Volume Control and WAVE. You can also try increasing the rest EXCEPT microphone.
Windows Volume Control DVD low volume

2. DVD Player Software Volume
- Different DVD player software works differently. For example, if you increase PowerDVD’s volume, it actually increases the volume on your Windows Control Volume. As for Windows Media Player, even if you increase the volume there, the Windows Control Volume stays where it is. Just double check the DVD software that you’re using to play the DVD movie and make sure that the volume is raised.
Increase PowerDVD volume

3. Hardware Rotary Volume Control
- Some laptops has a manual rotary volume control where you can use it to easily increase or decrease volume. It is usually at the front or side of the laptop. If you have that dial, try increasing that.
Increase DVD LOW Volume

4. DVD Sound Options
- Try all Sound Options in your DVD menu. Usually there’ll be Dolby Digital and DTS. Maybe one of it will give you a louder DVD movie volume.

5. Codec (AC3Filter)
- If you’ve gone through all 4 methods above and the DVD movie volume is still low, you might be able to increase DVD volume by installing AC3Filter codec and boost the GAIN. Download AC3Filter from the link below. After installation, go to Start Menu -> Programs -> AC3Filter and run AC3Filter Confiig. Increase the Master at Gain, click Apply and OK. You will notice that the DVD movie volume has been increased.
Increase DVD volume

[ Download AC3Filter ]

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