WAV or AC3 for DVD?

[GParent]

Background:

I have captured a DV of a music video and used Vegas 4 to clean it up. The end result will hopefuly be a commercial DVD.

Post editing, Vegas 4 creates an AVI file for subsequent MPEG-2 encoding. Then I make a second pass using Vegas 4 to create a MICROSOFT WAV file. (NOTE: Sonic Foundry has a neat AC3 5.1 plug-in but its kind of expensive.) I then input the WAV file into BeSweet and generate an AC3 Dolby Digital 2.0 file which I use to author the DVD. However, I can also just use the Microsoft WAV file to generate a LPCM format using DVD-Lab. When I play both formats using PowerDVD, this is what I get for Information status using each format.

For Microsoft WAV File: LPCM 2.0 1536Kbps

For BeSweet AC3 File: Dolby Digital 2.0

Which is the best format for best quality and widest acceptance on stand alone DVD players, or should I consider another?

[SurfDrifter]

Ok, the best quality is the LPCM because it is uncompressed and Dolby Digital is compressed,yet it it isn't noticable(but this is subjective...)

The drawback of LPCM is that the filesize is huge, so this means that you lose quality of your video which isn't acceptable...
Also, you cannot have multichannel LPCM, only stereo or mono...

99% of the commercial DVDs out there use Dolby Digital for their audio tracks, so i guess they know better!

So, the conclusion is to use DD, since it has...
a)100% compatibility with the dvd players
b)small filesize, hence greater video quality
c)multi-channel support

[GParent]

>>> The drawback of LPCM is that the filesize is huge, so this means that you lose quality of your video which isn't acceptable...<<<

Definitely, the LPCM file size is bigger than AC3.

By "lose quality...", are you referring to potental storage space being robbed from the video, which could be used to be encode a higher video bitrate?

Or, is the larger LPCM audio stream negatively affecting the interleaved video stream?

In my case, there is plenty of space on the DVD for any bitrate.

[SurfDrifter]

Originally posted by GParent
By "lose quality...", are you referring to potental storage space being robbed from the video, which could be used to be encode a higher video bitrate?
[/B]

Yes, exactly...And don't forget that the combined amount of data rates should not exceed 9,8MBps, so actually it's your choice what you'll choose

[hendrix]

I would use AC3 - it give me that much more space for the video.

Whenever I capture from a stereo source I encode as a Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround w/large room - its all about preference :D

[DonBerg]

Be aware BEsweet for AC3 encoding does not create completely standard AC3 files, and they even warn you not to use it. I have found AC3 files from BEsweet don't work with all model DVD players like Pioneer. I would recommend using a different AC3 encoder.

[GParent]

>>Be aware BEsweet for AC3 encoding does not create completely standard AC3 files, and they even warn you not to use it. I have found AC3 files from BEsweet don't work with all model DVD players like Pioneer. I would recommend using a different AC3 encoder.<<

Wow, that's a shocker!

Its the first time I heard that being said. I guess you are referring to either the BeSweet GUI or the AC3 Machine since they both use BeSweet. Right?

What specifically makes the resultant BeSweet Dolby Stereo file non compatible, maybe I can pick the correct parameters?

Also, is Sonic Foundry's Soft Encode a better choice?

[DonBerg]

Yes Sonic Foundry is a better choice - it creates compliant AC3 files. If you read the BeSweet history files they clearly state that the AC3 encoding is experimental only and should not be used! I tried it and some model DVD players have problems with Besweet/AC3 machine created AC3 files - specifically some Pioneer and Panasonic models, they choke on it and stop playing or stutter terribly.

[maa]

What about mpg2 audio ? Thats supposed to be compatible and saves loads of money on encoders.
If its only stereo why bother with Dolby?

[dan]

For the sake of a second opinion, I've also found that BeSweet shouldn't be used for DVDs. My Panasonic set-top stutters like crazy with files made with it. I use the encoder that comes with Scenarist and haven't had any problems.

Dan

[hendrix]

I agree with DonBerg SoftEncode is a better choice...I use SoftEncode and never had a problem...yet:D

[auenf]

Originally posted by maa
What about mpg2 audio ? Thats supposed to be compatible and saves loads of money on encoders.
If its only stereo why bother with Dolby?

http://www9.brinkster.com/sportschook/?dvdaudios.gif

m2a audio can only really be used on NTSC players, but there is another catch too, which ive said 3 times before on these forums before...

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50887&highlight=amp

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27574&highlight=amp

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53936&highlight=amp

Enf...

[maa]

I'm sure you have a valid point there although you probably miss typed this: m2a audio can only really be used on NTSC players

Makes me wonder why MyDVD outputs Mpeg audio if its to be expected to cause problems with home equipment.

[auenf]

err, i meant to say, m2a can only work on PAL players...

/me screws his head back on

Enf...