Question about AC3 and Mpeg 5.1

[lbwarped]

Well, I want to convert some divxs I have that contain AC3 audio, which way do I use to ensure that I can have true 5.1 sound with my home theater system? I have the sony dvp-nc655p model. right now, I'm making an svcd with the mpeg 5.1 feature, but I was wondering if there was a way to keep the AC3 file and have it work. thanks! :)

[idbirch2]

As far as I know AC3 is not part of the VCD/SVCD standard and as such will not playback in any stand-alone player. VCD/SVCD require MPEG audio.

If you want to keep AC3 you could try DVD authoring or if you don't have a DVDRW drive, a mini-DVD.

[markrb]

Not in an SVCD.

If your player supports Mini-DVD you could try that, but very few players do this. See the Mini-DVD guides on Doom9.

I played some with trying to do what you asked and my Apex would play the mpg with AC3 audio, but only recorded as data (not as an SVCD). So it only would record 700MB on an 80 minute cd and only as a raw mpg file. My Apex player has the rare ability to play a raw mpg though. When I tried it as an SVCD it would play the video, but no audio.

I decided it just wasn't worth it for a few reasons.
1. Only could record 700MB max
2. Would not work on any other player.
3. AC3 audio much larger and thus reduced the amount of video able to have on a cd by a good bit.

I also experimented with mpeg 5.1 and decided that wasn't worth the effort either. I would just use Surround2 in BeSweet.

Mark