dell xps 420 sound reciently becaume too quiet

Plug a headset into the front panel headphone jack and see what volume you get there.  If it's "normal" volume level, plug the headset into the rear GREEN speaker jack and if it's normal there, the problem is in your speaker system.

What sound do you have? the standard integrated (on the motherboard) audio or do you have an optional SoundBlaster Xfi sound card?

I would say the volume is issue is the same using the headphone jack: listening to a movie through the speakers is difficult to hear, but it is also difficult to hear through the headphones. 

The issue only shows itself when listening to movies.  Listening to music (through iTunes) or even streaming video online (I am told, although I have not confimed this) does not produce quiet audio.  However watching DVDs on the computer does cause an issue.   

It is of course important to note that this is a recent problem as of a few weeks ago. 

Most of the Volume Control settings have one for CD/DVD audio, check that and make sure the volume control for that is not set down (low). 

Also, since it's DVD's it could be a setting in the program you use to play DVD's.  Many players have setups for the audio, and if it's set for the wrong type, for example, it could cause low audio in DVD's.

Since other media types are OK, that eliminates the actual audio module - it just gets data (digital sound) from whatever source and converts it to analog audio and outputs it to the speaker (or headphones).  It's the same, no matter where it comes from so the problem is where the digital audio is coming from.

Thanks for your response.  I hate to confuse the situation, but I am not 100% certain it is always limited to DVDs.  I believe a Video Game (MS Flight Simulator) has the issue as well, I will have to confirm.  I mention this as the issue may have shown itself about the time I installed this application. 

AS far as the DVD player causing the issue: I am typically using MS Windows Media Center. Other than the on screen Volume control (which  is at the maximum level) I don't see any program setting to adjust the volume, nor would I expect to.  The issue occurs when playing DVDs though Windows Media Player as well.  Perhaps the issue is related to a messed up codec/driver?  If not that, then there is some internal sound setting that I am missing. 

Thanks,

d