November 12, 2008

• Windows Media Player Volume Issues

  I consistently have problems watching movies on my laptop (Vista) because the speakers are too quiet.  The problem exhibits itself across multiple media playback programs, and I have also noticed it on my desktop (XP).  When I want to listen to music or watch some video clips, the volume is fine.  I finally got fed up enough with the problem last night and found the following solution on Microsoft's website (link).  I have copied it here for ease and archival purposes.  I have not checked to see if there is a corresponding fix for Windows XP yet.

  Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

  For 32-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Premium and of Windows Vista Ultimate

  loadTOCNode(3, 'resolution');

  To enable this hotfix, you must create the following registry entry on the portable computer:

  dolby_rf_on

  To do this, follow these steps:

  1.	Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2.	Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftScrunchCodecPackMSDVD Note If you cannot locate the registry subkey, go to step 3 to create the registry subkey. If you can locate the registry subkey, go to step 6.
  3.	Right-click the Microsoft registry subkey, point to New, click Key, type Scrunch, and then press ENTER.
  4.	Right-click the Scrunch registry subkey, point to New, click Key, type CodecPack, and then press ENTER.
  5.	Right-click the CodecPack registry subkey, point to New, click Key, type MSDVD, and then press ENTER.
  6.	On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
  7.	In the details pane, type the following new value, dolby_rf_on, and then press ENTER.
  8.	Right-click dolby_rf_on, and then click Modify.
  9.	In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, under Base, click Decimal.
  10.	In the Value data box, type the value 1, and then click OK. Note Only "0" and "1" are supported values. If the dolby_rf_on registry entry contains any other value, the decoder ignores the value and uses the default value. If the registry entry is set to "1," the Laptop Mode is used as the default on the computer.
  11.	Close Registry Editor.
  12.	Restart the Windows Media Player or the Windows Media Center application.

  For 64-bit versions of Windows Vista Home Premium and of Windows Vista Ultimate

  loadTOCNode(3, 'resolution');

  To enable this hotfix, you must create the following registry entry on the portable computer:

  dolby_rf_on

  To do this, follow these steps:

  1.	Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2.	Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftScrunchCodecPackMSDVD Note If you cannot locate the registry subkey, go to step 3 to create the registry subkey. If you can locate the registry subkey, go to step 6.
  3.	Right-click the Microsoft registry subkey, point to New, click Key, type Scrunch, and then press ENTER.
  4.	Right-click the Scrunch registry subkey, point to New, click Key, type CodecPack, and then press ENTER.
  5.	Right-click the CodecPack registry subkey, point to New, click Key, type MSDVD, and then press ENTER.
  6.	On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
  7.	In the details pane, type the following new value, dolby_rf_on, and then press ENTER.
  8.	Right-click dolby_rf_on, and then click Modify.
  9.	In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, under Base, click Decimal.
  10.	In the Value data box, type the value 1, and then click OK. Note Only "0" and "1" are supported values. If the dolby_rf_on registry entry contains any other value, the decoder ignores the value and uses the default value. If the registry entry is set to "1," the Laptop Mode is used as the default on the computer.
  11.	Close Registry Editor.
  12.	Restart the Windows Media Player or the Windows Media Center application.

  • 4:43 pm
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