a demodulator for a high definition television receiver includes a first circuit element which receives a signal , and is operative in a first arrangement to produce an output signal having a first dynamic range , and operative in a second arrangement to produce an output signal having a second dynamic range different from the first dynamic range . a second circuit element is arranged for optimally processing a signal having a substantially predetermined fixed dynamic range . a gain control circuit is coupled between the first and second circuit elements , and produces a signal having the substantially predetermined fixed dynamic range .