Dolby Digital 2.0 question .

[Butcher Wing]

Sorry if this has been posted somewhere before.

Something thats really confusing me about encoding to '2 channel AC3.

Why is that when i render or convert a mono audio track into 2.0 AC3 file , then burn it to dvd and watch on my 5.1 dolby digital amplifier set up - The sound only comes from the left and right speakers but not the center speaker.
But when i hear retail bought dvds with mono tracks displaying 2.0 Dolby Digital they have the sound coming from the center speaker only?

A good example is Directors commentary tracks on movies, they display as '2.0 Ch Dolby Digital' yet the sound commentary comes from the center channel. How?:confused:

The only way i know how to get a sound to come from the center speaker is to encode the mono track as a 1.0 AC3 file.


thanx for reading.

[tebasuna51]

The only way i know how to get a sound to come from the center speaker is to encode the mono track as a 1.0 AC3 file.

You can encode like 2.0 with same left and right channel, and set the flag Dolby Surround.

With FL = FR nothing go to FL, FR, SL and SR, all the sound go to Center channel.

Try to force your 2.0 encodes (obviously without the Dolby Surround flag set) to DPL decode and listen.

[Butcher Wing]

Thanx for your advice. I think the problem here is the software im using doesn't use flags' or DPL ? ..

I was using Sony Vegas pro 8 untill the free trial expired.

I'm not sure what a flag is. I dont remember any option in Sony Vegas that involved setting a flag. The only options i saw were to render as a - stereo AC3 or a 5.1 AC3

I guess the problem is here , i dont have good enough software.

[tebasuna51]

Try with the free encoder Aften (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1061225#post1061225)

Dolby Surround mode: Dolby surround encoded

[Butcher Wing]

ok thanx, I'll give it a shot.