AC3, PCM (Wav) And PAL 5.1

Veggie_Dave wrote on 10/26/2003, 7:54 AM
I've just authored my very first DVD, which is in the PAL format, using AC3 audio encoding. Now, although it's worked on every single PAL DVD player I've tried, apparently the AC3 encoding isn't the 'norm' in Europe

According to the SF manual, I should instead encode using PCM. So, to the question...

Is the manual refering to 'Wave (Microsoft)>44.1Hz (all busses)' for 5.1 Surround Sound?

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 10/26/2003, 11:16 AM
Actually, should be 48K
Veggie_Dave wrote on 10/26/2003, 11:51 AM
Other than the sound sample speed the Microsoft wav/PCM (all busses) file is the correct one for 5.1 then?
vonhosen wrote on 10/26/2003, 12:07 PM
PAL players will support PCM (48kHz) or AC3

If you are happy with the quality of AC3 stereo (or you want the AC3 5.1) stick with it because it's lower bitrate will allow more room for video (or higher bitrate/qaulity) on the disc.

PCM stereo audio is typically 1600kbs
AC3 stereo 192kbs
AC3 5.1 448kbs

Historically when the DVD-Video specs were first drawn up PAL had to support a minimum of PCM & MPEG-1 layer II audio whilst NTSC had to support PCM & AC3. The specs however were changed sometime ago for PAL players to support AC3 as well & as you have discovered you will struggle to find a player that doesn't support AC3.
Veggie_Dave wrote on 10/26/2003, 12:17 PM
Sorry for sounding a bit stupid here, but...

The 'Microsoft wav (PCM)(All busses)' file creates a finished DVD with 5.1 surround sound if the original project is also 5.1?

Vonhosen's answer also sems to suggest what my ears are telling me - the AC3 file offers a lower sound quality to that of the original .wav file?
vonhosen wrote on 10/26/2003, 12:29 PM
Your PCM .wav (all buses) will be a stereo file & for DVD you are going to need PCM 16bit stereo 48kHz

Yes AC3 will have a lower bitrate & theoretically lower quality (as data is being compressed). Render both & decide if the quality hit is acceptable to you.

I personally find AC3 very good for movies & it leaves me valueable bitrate spare to use with my video encode.

But if it's under an hour & music you may prefer PCM :-)
Veggie_Dave wrote on 10/26/2003, 12:39 PM
I've spent a very long time getting the surround audio absolutely perfect - so rendering down to a simple stereo sound track is not an option :-)

AC3 it is

Cheers for the help