2 channel or 6 channel audio?

[killerteengohan]

I only have 2 speakers and to my knowledge it's not even worth trying to listen to 5.1 surround sound and there's no real benefit to it since you cant get its full effect with only 2 speakers. That's for a 4 or more speaker sound system right?

Is it worth encoding 5.1 surround sound if I only have 2 good speakers?

I can tell the difference and 5.1 sounds very slightly better, but isn't that meant for more than 2 speakers? Is there any benefit to going with the 6 channel audio when you don't have a surround sound speaker system?

The 2 channel one seems make the speakers sound a bit louder and it feels like there more bass to it, while the 6 channel audio doesn't make the speakers bounce as much. Am I missing out on anything by only having 2 speakers and not a 5.1 surround system if I go with the 6 channel?

[foxyshadis]

The big benefit multichannel audio gives you is that you can downmix it however you want (like a louder center, where most speech is), and you always have it for whenever you do upgrade to a home theater. Of course, 6 channel takes roughly double the space of two channel, and you're more likely to need compression/limiting (DRC) if you don't have a very quiet home theater; stereo tracks almost always have some gain and compression pre-applied, which is what makes them sound "better," whereas multichannel is kept more pure for home theater enthusiasts.

Hopefully that helps you decide what's more important.

[Sparktank]

Retail DVD's generally go with lower bitrates for stereo tracks, often 192kbps.
But it's already downmixed.

Multichannel will get more bitrate, up to 448, the max allowed for DVD.

If you're not hearing the multichannel as loudly as the stereo mix, something's not downmixing it for you.

TV's should do this automatically.

Playback on PC, you have to make sure you check all your codecs involved if they are downmixing for you (LAV, FFShow).

[killerteengohan]

I guess that just leaves this question to answer.

"Am I missing out on anything by only having 2 speakers and not a 5.1 surround system if I go with the 6 channel audio?" (What if media player isnt downmixing it) If so I guess Ill just go with stereo.

Stereo might sound fine to me on my computer, but if I go to a friends or my cousins house and they have 5.1 system for theirs, it probably wont sound as good. That's why I'm wondering about the asked question.

[Sparktank]

Well, foxyshadis pointed out something quite significant already about controlling the downmix: "(like a louder center, where most speech is)".
LAV audio and FFDShow both can allow you to increase the center channel. Which is good for movies that are mostly thrillers with some action in it.

That's a big win.

Plus, 5.1 mixes are given more bitrate over stereo mixes.
In AC3 formats for DVD, 5.1 is usually 384kbps or 448 kbps.
Stereo is usually 192/224 at the most.
Some very rare occasions I've seen a 448 stereo mix.

Plus, if you're taking it over to friends/family who have 5.1, it would definitely be worth it to use all the channels.

+3 for keeping 5.1.
+4 if you use software to convert the audio with Dolby Headphone (Foobar2000 plugin) or some similar headphone matrixing.

[nevcairiel]

Plus, 5.1 mixes are given more bitrate over stereo mixes.
In AC3 formats for DVD, 5.1 is usually 384kbps or 448 kbps.
Stereo is usually 192/224 at the most.
Some very rare occasions I've seen a 448 stereo mix.


While that's true there is also more data to store, so the benefit isn't as straight forward as that.

[killerteengohan]

Basically, am I going to be able to hear any sounds in the 5.1 version that I wouldn't be able to hear in the 2 channel stereo version is what I'm asking, or am I going to be able to hear everything the same regardless of which one I pick?

[AlexKane]

If you do a "proper" 5.1 to stereo fold/downmix, you effectively retain all the information that is present in the original surround source BUT the LFE channel. You also get to keep the enormous dynamic range of the source.

[wonkey_monkey]

If you do a "proper" 5.1 to stereo fold/downmix, you effectively retain all the information that is present in the original surround source BUT the LFE channel.

Why not the LFE channel as well?

[Sparktank]

Why not the LFE channel as well?

Keeping the LFE may (or may not) cause audible distortion, especially if you don't have device to play those low frequencies.

[killerteengohan]

Whats the LFE channel? is it even important or something I dont want to lose?

[killerteengohan]

If you do a "proper" 5.1 to stereo fold/downmix, you effectively retain all the information that is present in the original surround source BUT the LFE channel. You also get to keep the enormous dynamic range of the source.

Im assuming the company that released the DVD's did that properly in their stereo audio track.

or should I downmix the 5.1 myself?

[AlexKane]

Quote:
Why not the LFE channel as well?


Because..
Keeping the LFE may (or may not) cause audible distortion, especially if you don't have device to play those low frequencies.

...Also,
Dolby documentation suggests leaving the LFE channel out, as it contains low frequency content, intended for sub-woofers.
Most "modern" movie productions contain more than enough bass in the Left, Right, Center channels anyway. Including LFE information in the final stereo render only adds more, potentially mucking up the sound (it gets boomy in the low mid frequencies).

[Sparktank]

LFE channel
is it even important or something I dont want to lose?

If you have a 5.1 system with subwoofer, you'll want to keep it for more effect.

On a stereo system, most software / DirectShow Filters (LAV Audio, FFDShow) will let you select various channel mappings: 2.0 to downmix without the LFE, 2.1 to downmix with the LFE, etc.

properly in their stereo audio track

Yes, they do downmix properly so it's good to use their mix.

I'm not concerned about storage space so often that I become arrogant of that being a factor for others.

If you have the storage space for both, I'd keep both and just interchange the two as needed.
You can also play with downmixing yourself with boosting the center channel to get more dialogue clarity.
This way, after playing with everything and exhausting yourself, you'll make a choice for next time that makes most sense to you.

If you're concerned about storage space, I'd keep the already donwmixed version as it's just as good.

[foxyshadis]

Whats the LFE channel? is it even important or something I dont want to lose?

LFE is the room-shaking bass. If you don't have a room-shaking sub, cut it completely. Even if you have a typical 2.1 system with a baby sub, cut it. You need an 8-inch minimum sub to get anything but audio sludge out of LFE, and the bigger the better.

[killerteengohan]

LFE is the room-shaking bass. If you don't have a room-shaking sub, cut it completely. Even if you have a typical 2.1 system with a baby sub, cut it. You need an 8-inch minimum sub to get anything but audio sludge out of LFE, and the bigger the better.

I do got a pretty big sub with the 2 speakers, but I'm not a huge fan of room shaking or heavy pounding bass.

[killerteengohan]

Thanks for all the help!!