Backing up DVD: 5.1 -or- 2.0 Sound

[cabe]

I'm backing up Minority Report and I've got several audio tracks. I obviously don't want the french track, and the DTS track is just physically way too large for a 4.7GB disc. That leaves me with the 5.1 dolby digital and 2.0 dolby surround.

What I'd like to do is put the 5.1 audio track on the disc, but I don't know if it will be compatible with non-5.1 setups. For example, if I put (only) the 5.1 track on my backup, will it play when I pop it into a dvd player connected just to a TV? I guess my real question is: Do DVD players support playing all of the 5.1 channels out of just 2, if they are asked to do so?

[scharfis_brain]

DVD- Players do a downmix to dolby surround if requested.

IMO, additional 2.0 audio tracks are pure nonsense

[setarip_old]

@cabe

Hi!

In addition to the fact that your standalone DVD player has the ability to downmix the 5.1 .AC3 audiostream to 2 channel stereo, it's also likely that the actual stereo audiostream on the DVD is that of a "Director's Commentary"...

[scharfis_brain]

Yep. that may be a possibility. But I also have seen several DVDs containing a 5.1 AC3 as well as an 2.0 AC3 Audiotrack of the Films Audio (both had same contents/language)

[setarip_old]

But I also have seen several DVDs containing a 5.1 AC3 as well as an 2.0 AC3True, but very seldom when the same DVD also contains (as "cabe" states this one does) a DTS audiostream...

[cabe]

Awesome, glad to know that the DVD player will automatically downmix!

This must be one of those very seldom times, as the additional audio track is the film's audio and not a commentary.

[ojdidit]

Its been my experience that the additional 2 channel track is usually the main movie track, and only when you find a second 2 channel track is it for a director's commentary.

[CWR03]

You can open the audio file directly with WMP (assuming you have the AC3Filter installed) to see which it is - if you've ripped the disk in .IFO mode, the VTS_01_PGC_01 - Stream Information.txt file will often tell you exactly what each audio track contains.