Terk VR1 Automatic TV Volume Controller Reviews

• In-depth review of the TERK VR-1 Volume Regulator

  
  By AQLKY9DCPJDUK on 2004-12-18
  The TERK VR-1 Volume Regulator is an electronic device that automatically limits the amount of audio that can be fed to an external stereo amplifier or home theater system, so that variations in audio levels between TV stations on a cable system or satellite receiver will be more or less "leveled out". In other words, no more barely able to hear one channel, while being blasted out of your chair when you surf to the next channel. It acts like a brick wall to excessive audio levels; you can throw a goodly amount of audio at it, but it will only output a fixed level and that's it! And it does it's job extremely well and without noticeable distortion. That having been said, however, keep something else in mind ... the psychological aspects of sound. A lot of the audio we hear today on the air waves is compressed audio, meaning that there is less dynamic range and more sound power within the audio "package". The result is that processed audio (audio that's been compressed) sounds much louder than audio that has its normal dynamic range. That's why some commercials sound louder than the program material that they're inserted into, and why some musical segways between the program and the commercials sound so loud. In other words, it's not just the peaks of the audio that make for a loud sounding audio material, it's also how much the audio has been processed during its production. The VR-1 (or any other volume regulator) can do very little to uncompress intentional efforts to pack more audio power into a sound channel. That would be asking a lot!
  
  A device like the TERK VR-1 Volume Regulator isn't for everyone, the buyer needs to have some familiarity with interconnecting home theater audio components to achieve the desired results. It's not that the VR-1 itself needs any adjustments (in fact, there are no adjustments), but rather, the individual doing the installation needs to put the VR-1 in the correct place within the audio chain, but it's not at all difficult if that person has a basic understanding of audio component interrelations.
  
  Perhaps the simplest way to utilize the TERK VR-1 is to feed the earphone output from the TV receiver into the "Left & Right Audio Inputs" on the unit. The "Left & Right Audio Outputs" are then fed into your stereo receiver (or home theater amplifier) and that receiver or amplifier is then used to drive the speakers that will reproduce the TV audio at a higher fidelity than the TV receiver itself could normally provide. The reason that you'll want to use the earphone output from the TV receiver is because plugging a cable into the earphone output will automatically disconnect the TV set's internal speakers. If the set's internal speakers aren't disconnected, then you'll hear the "blasting" audio from some of the channels coming through the set's internal speakers, and that will negate the "regulated" audio being fed to your external system. The very brief manual that comes with the TERK VR-1 fails to mention this point, but it's a very important one. If you're using a TV receiver without internal speakers, or if there is some other means to turn them off, then you could use the audio left and right outputs on the back of the receiver without consequence. If your set doesn't have an earphone or headset output on it, you'll have to try to have one installed by a qualified service tech, but make sure that he knows what he's doing, you don't want lethal voltages on any of the leads coming out of the set!
  
  Once you have the earphone output feeding the VR-1, and the VR-1's output feeding your external amplifier and speakers, then simply set the volume from the TV set so that the sound is comfortable coming from the channel with the least audio level. Don't use the volume up and down on the TV set's remote from that point on. Instead, adjust the volume that you want for a particular show or movie only with the remote for your stereo receiver, amplifier or home theater system. The reason is that once you set the level into the VR-1 for the weakest audio source (TV channel), you'll want to leave that level alone and only play with the output level from your external system from that time on, that will keep the audio levels from all TV channels pretty constant, unless the cable or satellite provider readjusts their audio levels on the various channels from time to time. If they do, then just readjust the input to the VR-1 for proper output on the channel with the least audio level once again. None of this is mentioned in the abbreviated manual from the manufacturer either, they very much leave the new owner out on their own. I'll bet TERK gets lots of phone calls!
  
  To summarize, the TERK VR-1 Volume Regulator (limiter) is a very effective piece of equipment when installed and used correctly, but their manual isn't a whole lot of help in that area. From what I've read elsewhere, the VR-1 converts the analog audio signal into digital format, then uses a mathematical algorithm to achieve its goal. In addition to maintaining a consistent audio level, the VR-1 apparently also employs algorithms to reduce noise (hiss) and to process the bass and treble signals separately for improved dialog recognition, with a response action as fast as 2 milliseconds. When all of this processing is over, the signal is converted back to analog format.
  
  The VR-1 is a small, nice looking package but it can also be tucked away and forgotten about if so desired. It contains no adjustments, but it does have a front panel "Bypass" switch if you simply want to convince yourself or your friends about the job that it's doing. It comes with one set of RCA phono plug (on each end) connection cables and a wall outlet power cube for powering the unit. Oh, I almost forgot about the manual, you get that too! You'll chuckle when you see that little piece of paper folded over 3 times, but hey, that's what they call it ... an owner's manual! What more can I say?
  
  
  
  

• Does what it says!

  
  By A2TDQ0KYEVO4L8 on 2005-11-23
  Loud annoying commercials or low whispering in some shows make watching TV less enjoyable, especially when you have to constantly adjust the volume up or down. I think everyone knows that annoying commercial where the female announcer pops up on the screen and says "when is a diet pill worth 153 dollars a bottle". The volume of that commercial is so loud, you are knocked out of your seat. I saw the Terk VR1 advertised and thought I'd give it a try. I have been very pleased with it. It really does exactly what it says it does.
  
  It's simple to install. There is nothing to adjust. Just plug it in between your cable box, VCR or dish receiver and your TV and turn it on. It's that simple. Unfortunately, if you have an old fashioned standard TV antenna (through the air type such as an old fashioned roof-top or inside rabbit ears), the Terk VR1 won't work for you unless you use your VCR to receive over the air broadcasts. You need a "receiver" such as a cable box, dish receiver, VCR, etc. The receiver (cable box, dish box, VCR, etc.) plugs directly into the Terk, then the Terk is plugged into your TV using the included RCA cables.
  
  I was amazed how much of a difference the Terk made. Surfing from channel to channel doesn't require adjusting the volume. The volume of the commercials is the same as the show, so no need to hit the "mute" button during every commercial break. When movies or shows have low volume scenes, such as whispering, the volume is automatically adjusted so you can actually hear what is being said.
  
  I give the Terk VR1 5 stars.
  
  
  
  

• Tame those loud commercials!

  
  By A3OQLZP2C135P3 on 2003-11-27
  I was looking for a solution to having to adjust the TV volume at every commercial break (my Sony doesn't have automatic volume control) and this device does exactly what it claims. I have hooked it between my digital cable
  box and the TV via the RCA-type audio out plugs on the digital box and connected to the VR-1 audio-in. Another set of audio plugs go from the
  VR-1's audio-out to the TV's audio-in. You can bypass the signal modulation
  with a switch on the front of the VR-1 if so desired, but for most programming you will want it to be ON! It adjusts the volume for the loudest commercials so that everything is very level and you then adjust the volume on your cable remote to the level you like.

  Be aware that it does not work with a stand-alone TV, you have to have an
  A/V input such as a dish receiver, digital cable box or home theater receiver.

  If you find loud commercials as aggravating as I do, you'll love this little device!
  
  

• Horrible for TV's..works with with other things however

  
  By A2MQX12P9D1A8P on 2004-11-18
  I recently purchased this product locally and found that it had trouble making the picture in sync with the sound. After closer examining the product, I realized that the outputs are merely equalizing the sound and aren't doing anything with the picture, which is causing the lack of syncronization. I found a similar product which does work properly( balancing both the volume and picture for maximium syncrronization(www.tvsoundregulator.com). I'm sorry to bad mouth this product so much, but being a large electronics enthusiast I don't want people to miss informed and be let down with this product. I wish your site carried the TV Sound Regulator, now, that's a product I will gladly stand behind. Thank you!
  
  

• Works Great - but durability continues to be an issue...

  
  By A1ZQI0ZOZ2AON9 on 2004-11-21
  I ordered the Terk VR-1 TV Volume Regulator about a year ago. It quit working after about a week so I returned it for a replacement. The replacement worked for about 2 months and then quit working also.
  
  EDITED - 2 Years later...
  
  This is the fourth Terk VR1 Automatic TV Volume Controller I have purchased. It works great - just as advertised but it could / should be a lot more durable. Nothing else on the market does the job - so each time I buy one I hope maybe this time it will last for more than a few months.
  
  The only competition to this unit I could find ("TV Volume Regulator") is a complete waste of money since it raises the background noise to the same level as bombs dropping. In other words, raindrops are as loud as gunfire.
  
  So until there is something better, I keep buying the Terk (now Audiovox) because it is the only unit I could find that really does the job.
  
  If the unit was more durable I would easily rate it 5 Stars.
  
  
• What a surprise
  By A1NXYX9KVWWKBZ on 2005-10-18
  Read an article in Good Housekeeping regarding this product and since my wife and I are tried of jumping for the remote to turn down the sound, I said what the heck - buy one! The price of the unit is extremely reasonable considering the large payback of the relief from the booming commercials.
  We have told all of my friends about this product and encourage the purchase.
  If you are looking to reduce the sound shock of too loud commercials get one of these.
  
  
• Automatic TV/Cable/Satellite/VHS/CD/DVD Volume Controller
  By A1LFQR3K3T6Y5X on 2007-02-15
  When putting your various audio components through an amp, this unit will control the volume of them all! This product performs EXACTLY as the manufacturer says and does it excellently! Limiters are common knowledge among recording engineers and advanced audiophiles alike. While nothing like the pro limiters, this Turk (brand Audiovox, in this case) product works basically the same; once installed and cables plugged in as to route all audio signals to pass through it, the process is simply described. Before activating the limiter, you set your amp's output volume to the loudest level you ever wish to hear from your systems components, then you activate the unit by sliding a front panel switch from left to right and you're done! This "Volume Controller" will not only limit/prvent the max audio level from exceeding your earlier setting, but it will also ensure that your volume doesn't stay below what you set. A very clever, affordble gadget that will perform exactly as designed. If you have all of your equipment (or main components, including the "Volume Controller") backed up by a good quality UPS, this unit will perform excellently.
  
  The ONLY complaint... If this limiter is not on a UPS and the power goes out or even flickers (possibly even a short brown-out), the "Automatic Volume Controller" will go into an unactivated state (e.g., no longer provides any control over your audio levels). Many people that have bought this product don't realize what's happened and, as many developments' homeowners may find outages/flickers occur on a regular basis (too often), blame the product for not working. Well, if you've correctly plugged in your audio source from amp, or whatever, to this product, it's acting in self-preservation; power outages, spikes, brown-outs, flickers, et al, cause many electronic components to die from the jolt caused when power returns to normal, but only after an initial surge.
  
  The fix is simple. Flip the activation switch off (slid switch from right to left), unplug the power plug at the unit, unplug audio input RCA connectors. After a few seconds, plug everything back in reverse order, then activating the slide switch from left to right.
  
  Hope this helps someone.
  
  
• save your money
  By ANDQZCX1F4R1H on 2004-10-09
  This sounds like a great idea, too bad this device doesn't work! Only thing that it did for me was boost the volume slightly with no effect on volume variability.
  
  
• "Awesome" you gotta have it
  By A1J37NH3KOKOSL on 2006-07-19
  No more turning down the volume for loud commercials or turning volume up after commercials and between loud channels when surfing. Two minutes to hook up. Finally a volume controller that works. I have to turn it off sometimes just see if it is really working. To bad we have pay for a black box to fix a problem that the FCC should take care of ....taxes at work. They say it is just your perception commercials are loud, PHOOEY, my VU meters don't lie.
  Zapper
  
  
• Very Unhappy With This!
  By A2132LYJCMWT3W on 2005-01-20
  I had this unit for about a week before it died. It was plugged into a surge protector.
  
  
• noisy, failed after 4 months, does help with commercials
  By A3BXSZ6YSW3JD on 2004-08-24
  I hooked this between my sat receiver and television. It did wonders with reducing commercial volume to normal levels, but had an annoying whine in the background noticable during quiet portions of the shows. Unit then died after 4 months of use, even though connected to surge protector. Don't plan to buy a replacement.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Product changed for the worse
  By AGC26O7MGVZ87 on 2006-05-31
  I had two of these VR-1 units and they worked great for my application.
  
  I bought a third VR-1 about a month ago and right out of the box it exhibited an annoying tick or pop each time it would compress the audio after a few seconds of silence to reset. I exchanged it for a replacement and it behaves exactly the same way. The only conclusion I can reach is that Audiovox must have changed the operation of the VR-1 for the worse.
  
  I can no longer recommend this formerly fine product. What a shame.
  
  
• I love this product
  By A2VXZQUAQM66SL on 2005-09-20
  I bought one of these a year or so ago for the main TV in our house, and then I went back and bought another one for the kitchen TV. Now my husband can watch the news with dinner and I don't get blasted by the commercials! It's well worth the money!
  
  
• Terk Technology VR-1
  By A2DJO9ORI66QSI on 2006-04-14
  I purchaced 2 from Amazon and I am using one going from our sat. Receiver to a UHF modulator, the other from a TV to a DVD player. Both units were easy to install and we no longer feel the need on either to adjust the volume when changing SAT channels (up or down) or the blaring volume of commercials. The order was shipped and recieved quickly. The only anoying part was unwrapping the devices from their display cases. I am convinced that even if they fell in the lake they would still work on fist try.
  
  
• Less than expected
  By A2CJSLH44KYA8W on 2006-02-28
  I truly hate the LOUD commercials and the constant use of the up-down volume control. This product sounded like the perfect solution to my problem. I suppose it does help some, but not enough to make it worth the price. I am disappointed with this product.
  
  
• Terk VR-1
  By A6O8RTO5WMZ1O on 2006-03-19
  Great product, especially when used with CD, MP3 and other music players. Keeps the volume at one level for all the CD's in the player .
  
  I don't recommend the Terk for those of you who like the sound effects in a movie or TV show as when watching movies it inhibits the sound effect.
  
  If you don't mind not hearing the sound effects then the Terk is good for leveling the commercials.
  
  
• Anti blast NOT!
  By A1QNUMK9OJTPHG on 2006-03-22
  The VR-1 does seem to level the volume some but not enough. The commercials aren't quite as blasting but I still find the need to reduce the volume during commericals, not as much as before, but still have to do it. So net effect if you can tolerate not as loud as before you'll be happy. If louder at all is intolerable check other devices.
  
  
• This thing really works!
  By AFQW752VJM4ZI on 2006-02-28
  Works exactly as promised....keeps the TV volume at the same level on all stations.
  
  
• Works Fine ... For A Day!
  By on 2004-05-16
  Bought it, hooked it up, wow! Great! The commercials aren't blasting us out of our chairs anymore. After two or three days, I seem to be right back where I was before hooking this thing up. The HD channels are whisper quiet, the commercials blast out at 2 - 3 times normal volume. Obviously, this unit has quit working. As one poster said "Use a good power strip" - heck, this is hooked up to a UPS; surges weren't the problem. I'd say poor quality components and bad design.
  
  
  
  
• The Terk VR-1 has vastly improved our TV experience!
  By A3FAUATU4N3T2U on 2006-02-24
  Would you believe it? This Terk volume regulater solved the annual wife-Christmas-present conundrum. I would never consider buying clothes for her and she's allergic to most jewelry and doesn't appreciate gifts of chocolate or flowers! She was somewhat upset that we didn't find a TV that had a built in volume regulator with the other features we wanted, but TV's just aren't custom built. She was surprised and pleased with the Terk regulator. We're both pleased with its performance. No more reaching for the volume control when a blasting ad comes on. Gone is the quick reach for the VC with a station change.
  
  Connection was a complete no-brainer. The one caution I would make is that the regulator can only be used if you feed the TV sound through RCA plug connections from a source such as a cable, satellite or home theater receiver. It cannot be used with a TV receiver connected directly with antenna wire.
  
  We liked the Terk VR-1 so much that we purchased a second one for the TV in my wife's art studio!
  
  
• It quits working after about 40 days.
  By AQCO9N89M0MAR on 2004-03-22
  This devise doesn't last long. I did have a breif power failier in my area but if it is that sensitive, I sure wont replace it. I get no sound going through this devise anymore. If you can buy a simular devise by a different manufacturer, try that one.
  
  
• Item not received yet!!!!!!
  By A3ENYEWEPU6YZH on 2006-03-23
  I have not received this item. I have been told by the supplier that it is backordered with not date of shipment available. I am very disappointed with this kind of service. You have had my money since the time of the order and I tink I should be compensated in some way.
  
  What do you suggest I do? I still want the product, but I do not like having my money tied up while I wait.
  
  
• Great Idea but Poor Execution
  By A3DYK0IK1FIJ2Q on 2007-05-07
  This product attempts to solve the longstanding problem of large changes in television audio program volume. Unfortunately when there is a sudden change in volume coming from the source, the output of this device first overcompensates and then slowly stabilizes. The result is nearly as annoying as the original problem. Great idea but poor execution.
  
  
• Review the way you need to use the Volume control
  By A2NIA6H5NQKJQE on 2007-11-03
  The advertisements for the Audiovox volume control do no state that it is only to be used with a DVD, VCR,etc. You can not use it for a T.V. Co-axial input. If you plan to use it to lower the volume from your T.V. antenna co-axial wire, there is no co-axial input on the back of the Audiovox unit. It cost me a restocking fee plus shipping. Beware!
  
  
• EASY ON THE EARS!
  By AH7UTNLB8TQ8M on 2007-01-09
  This unit really works great. Easy hook up. What a pleasure to not be blasted by commercials. Does a good job on increasing the low volume in many programs, when actors "mumble". Only con is I would prefer a power off/on switch
  
  
• Didn't do a thing for my TV!
  By AG80CYMGZEGWK on 2007-02-15
  This product didn't make a difference in the volume control on my television!
  
  
• This unit saved my ears!
  By A1PXL47D0RZ110 on 2007-06-22
  Thank God this thing works! I have had it for 2 months now. It is installed between the satellite and the DVD player. My husbands hearing isn't the best so he always had the volume too loud to begin with....then when the commercials came on it was unbearable! I installed the controller in 2 mins and it works great! No more messing with the volume.
  
  
• piece of ****
  By AZGNNPJMBL35F on 2007-10-10
  This is not a very good thing. It constantly humms and clicks and doesn't really control the volume very well. Also the people that sell it to you from Amazon, ANTonline, could care less if it works or not. Their customer service people tell you to get lost and contact the manufacturer.
  
  POS
  
  
• I ORDERED AN ITEM THAT WAS NOT OK FOR MY TV
  By A2J6ENCX9YDSFA on 2007-10-25
  TV VOLUME CONTROL. AN AUDIOVOX VR1.
  I MADE A MISTAKE BUT THE SHIPPER WAS REALLY NICE IN THAT THEY LET ME RETURN IT WITHOUT A HASSLE.
  
  
• good for some types of programs, bad for others
  By APLJV86HPQ6D9 on 2008-08-04
  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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