How can I improve the problem of low audio output volume

[kwokwai]

Hi, all members!
I recently got a AVI video from my friend, who converted the video from his DVD.
The video is around 250MB and of 448kbps bitrate; but the problem is that when I played it either on my VLC 0.85c or Windows Media Player 10, the audio output is always of very low volume.

Could someone help me solve the problem, please?

[DJ]

This is a common occurrence for converting ac3 to MP3 for audio as there is an approximate 8db difference in level between the two formats. VLC has 6db of gain in the volume control where as WMP has 0db of gain. So as an end result the volume must be turned up on your audio card to a more appropriate level. Or you will need to use gain compensation in a third party program and transcode with a different program.

[kwokwai]

This is a common occurrence for converting ac3 to MP3 for audio as there is an approximate 8db difference in level between the two formats. VLC has 6db of gain in the volume control where as WMP has 0db of gain. So as an end result the volume must be turned up on your audio card to a more appropriate level. Or you will need to use gain compensation in a third party program and transcode with a different program.

Many thanks for your reply, DJ!
But VLC seems can't solve this problem neither.
I read some posts from AC3filter Web site, and see they have mentioned the use of DRC.
Can the use of DRC solve the problem of low audio output, DJ?
I can feel that you have much experience on video conversions.

[DJ]

I personally don't care for DRC in either ac3 or DTS. You can safely boost ac3 to MP3 conversion 6 to 8db (every 6db is double the volume). VLC does not provide a means to do this and it seems that many people doing transcoding are also not doing this anymore. Perhaps it's just that the knowledge is being lost.