Night Mode and Theater Compensation

If a product had both, but one could be switched on either by a direct access button on the remote or through the menus, and the other required going into the menus to turn on or off, which would you put on the remote?

We'll pick one of the Outlaws who responds and send them a DVD. Don't forget to leave a post in the thread so we know who voted!

Thanks for your input on this!

The Outlaws

I don't typically use either of these so they tend to fall into the same general category for me, but I can see a direct access button for theater compensation potentially being used more often. Either way, the loser probably shouldn't be buried too deeply in the menus.

By the way, cool little contest, fellas.

AGAssarsson
First post
Voted for Night Mode
I don't want to accidentally be in TC Mode and not know whats going on for some time of listening. I have kids who press every button they can reach...

Allan

Gonk... you beat me to the first post, well I guess it had to be you. It had to be yooooouuuu.

I hadn't used either until one night a few weeks ago, my wife had gone to bed early and I was watching Ghostbusters on dvd... in that case I used Night mode to reduce the chance of waking her up...

I'd say that if you're watching something and don't want to disturb someone, hitting a "night mode" button would make much more sense because it could be turned on or off quickly (like right at the start of a loud passage)

Sorry about robbing you of first post, AGA.

I would think once set, theater comp. would be left alone. I have, more than once, needed to set night mode on, only to have to go up to my 1050 to engage it, so I say put night mode on the remote.

Gonk........it's all you, baby!!!

For me, Theater Compensation, whether or not certain frequencies are de-emphasized during theatrical release viewing, is something that I choose based on how my system sounds when set for movie watching. Once I have determined whether TC on or off is best for my particular setup, I wouldn’t tend to change that setting unless I had made a change in my system. The exception comes when there is a DVD with audio mixed with such compensation already in place. I may not wish to compensate an already compensated DVD. If there were a standardized and sufficient description on each DVD, and if about 50% of home video releases had the compensation included, and 50% did not, I might be tempted to change the TC setting more often. Currently I evaluate at setup, make a choice, and leave it on or off for a long time.

Night Mode, however, is something I would like to be able to turn on or off easily, depending on the situation at a given moment. As to whether it was left on without my realizing it, I would suggest that either one of the following also be implemented:

Option 1 – when the night mode is turned on, and anytime that a status menu appears on-screen or changes on the pre/pro’s display, a “night mode: on” indication appears in addition to volume information or DSP mode information.

Option 2 – when the source is changed, or if the source type changes, the night mode is automatically set to off. This means every time you load a new movie, you’ll know that if you want Night Mode, you’ll have to turn it on.

Additional thought: there are times when I would like to engage a ‘night mode’ on sources other that DD.

So my vote is for night mode to be available on the remote.

Hope this helps!

Hmmm ... I see five individual responders in this thread so far, and six votes have been cast so far. Perhaps we have a silent voter. (I hope the software does not allow repeat voting!)

The pole will not permit repeat voting....I just tried it!

Nope, no repeat voting allowed!

Best,

Scott

I would agree with going with "night mode" on the remote and having TC in the menu. Like bestbang(that sounds funny) said, you normally wouldn't touch TC once you initially set it up unless you changed something, but night mode you could concievably use 7 nights a week.

I voted theater comp because I never have used night mode. Either way I am fine with it.

I don't use "Night Mode". If the folks next door don't like what's playing they should have suggested somethig else before I got in to it.

I've never had a problem that would require theater compensation, but I think it'd be good to have just in case. However, I have had plenty of times where I was wishing the dynamic range was not quite so wide. Like in LOTR, the music just comes on SO LOUD. Even before thinking of the neighbors, it's just not comfortable with it THAT loud because I have to keep it turned up a bit to hear the quiet sections. I just want to watch the movie. I don't want to have to have an itchy trigger finger on the volume control.

I have on occasion used the Night Mode and it would be convenient on the remote but it should not be held in memory as a fixed state. I would like to see it revert back to OFF when the system is powered down.

I think night mode on the remote as well as an indicator somewhere on the display of the unit to see if it is on or off. Additionally, I would like to second Keta's idea that Night mode should only last as long as the unit is powered on. Nice idea, that.

I think night mode on the remote for reasons already stated.

Oh and FYI for some reason I can't vote in the poll.

I'm single and live alone ... TC on the remote would be my current pref. however, if I consider others ... my dad likes to watch tv/dvds after mom goes to bed (I helped them set up a mini-ht in their new condo) and I can see the NM being more useful to them ... and my dad and menu's do NOT mix, so ...

so what kind of DVD's up for grabs here? movie? concert? a four foot trade show mock up? :p

I voted for Night Mode being available on the remote. As a owner of a 1050, I find myself not even experimenting with it since I would have to get up to engage it. If it's on the remote, it becomes much more useful and intriguing.

This was stated above in another way but theater compensation is a very advanced option. It's also the type of option that if you're going to use it, you'll probably take the time to seek it out of a menu system. Night mode, on the other hand, is the type of mode that when called for, you'll probably want to find it a little quicker before others around you get more insistent about having it on.

JHoff80, Go ahead and try again. I forgot to give my Deputies permission

Night mode on remote. please

I vote for night mode on the remote with indicator on the display(s).

I have never used night mode. I ususally watch in darkened room and would have to get up turn on the lights and look for it. Instead I end up just turning down the volume, forgetting night mode even exists.

If it were a button on the remote I would use it.

I think night mode on the remote, and leave the theater compensation like you have it in the menues of the 950.

Some feature like having the button on the reciever lighting up a different color when it's on (amber instead of green) would be cool too. Like Keta said, having it turn off (reset) when the receiver is turned off would be the logical thing to do.

I think night mode would get more use but I personaly don't use them. Night mode just seem more important IMHO.

Lasher

I went with night mode since it's something I use when the kids and wife go to bed.

The Outlaws thank everyone for their input on this question. The poll is now closed and it looks as though there is an obvious trend here, and we'll take that into consideration in our product planning.

We hope you have enjoyed this new feature of our updated Saloon software, and keep checking back, as we use this tool to get your input on potential features and products.

One final note: Although you must be a registered Saloon participant to cast your vote in a poll, you may vote without actually writing an e-mail explanation should you wish to vote anonymously. And, as someone has already noted, only one vote person, but you are welcome to express your opinion as often as you like in the thread portion of the Saloon.

Thanks again for your help with this!

The Outlaws

...and the winner of the DVD drawing is...Keta!

Congratulations and thanks for participating in our poll!

Best Regards,

SCott