» Terk VR1 Automatic TV Volume Controller

Terk VR1 Automatic TV Volume Controller Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: Terk VR1 Works
Comment: The Terk VR1 volume controller really works to keep TV volume level. I use it to be able to switch between HD and non-HD channels ( a difference of 20 volume units to 8 volume units), and not have to sit with remote in hand for commercials that bang in (which have to be reduced from 20 to 5 volume units). Be aware that it only works with L/R audio jacks, so even though I use an HDMI cable from satellite receiver-out to TV-in for the video, I use the separate audio L/R jacks from TV-out into the Terk, and the Terk L/R-out jacks to the TV-HDMI-in Audio-in L/R jacks. I am completely satisfied with the product - it performs as advertised.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Close, but not ready for prime time
Comment: The device does level out sounds, for the most part. However, after a few hours of use, I decided to return it, because:

- when changing channels or resuming a program, the device has a short pop sound of the noise it's leveling, as it basically first assesses the noise input and levels it out. Pretty annoying when changing channels

- as stated by other reviewers, when you pause a program or have no noise pumping through, you hear an audible hiss (electronic noise) generated by the device

- as stated by other reviewers, when there noise of the program is low, you can hear the "clipping" of the noise by the device, causing you to lose some of the music, dialogue, etc.

- it lacks an optical connection -- purely analog only on this puppy. Time for them to upgrade, given this is the year 2008!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Terk products in general
Comment: This is just a heads up for anyone considering buying ANY Terk product. Their products are attractive, but third rate when it comes to performance. Over the years I've purchased several Terk antennas, None of them worked properly, And some won't even hook up to your equipment properly! Extremely shoddy engineering and materials. The last product of theirs I tried was a "tunable" FM antenna. I practically had to force the connector onto the antenna jack on the back of my bedroom stereo. Extremely tight. And It only increased the noise level (due to poor isolation from the ac adaptor power supply) 60 Hz buzz. Stay away from the Terk brand.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: AD TAMER
Comment: Now I know that the entertainment industry's business and sole reason for existing is "ad-space provisioning". But lately the commercials on TV that we are subject to, seem to be targeting the low end of the IQ scale, but on top of that they always seem to be blasting compared to the sound level of the show one is watching... This Device works wonderfully. Its does a great job equalizing the sound levels. I have satellite TV and the hook up was fast and easy with the cable provided. One of the other annoyances this device solves is the difference in volume levels that can be found between the channels.

When I first bought this I figured it was worth trying for $25 bucks. I plan to get a second one as I know I could not bear dealing with TV the way it used to be, should this device fail. Get this unit rather than waiting for cable/satellite providers to do something about it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: good for some types of programs, bad for others
Comment: This device works very well with most types of TV shows. For comedies, one-hour dramas, news and talk shows it does an excellent job. It keeps you from being blasted by unexpectedly loud audio when a show goes to a commercial break and when you tune from channel to channel.

However, this unit is very annoying when you are watching movies or musical performances. During quiet passages you can hear the device activating or de-activating itself every time the volume reaches a certain threshold. When it kicks in during a quiet passage, it not only creates a sudden jump in the audio level (and sometimes a pop/thump noise), it also causes a change in the left-right balance of the stereo sound, which is a nuisance.

So, it's not bad for an inexpensive device, but you will probably want to use the bypass switch when viewing movies or concerts.

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