I am trying to copy a rock concert. After eliminating all unnecessary languages etc., it is still a few hundred MB too big too burn. Eliminating one of the audio streams will quickly solve this problem but I do not know what to base my selection on.
I understand the LPCM stream is very high quality (1.3 MB) but only a two channel stream. On the other hand, I understand the AC3 stream is a multichannel stream but of a much lesser audio quality (0.4 MB). This does not seem correct. I would expect the multichannel stream to be the larger file because the surround theater (at least to me) implies much effort and money spent for a high quality audio experience.
I have to eliminate one of these streams. Eliminating the much larger LPCM stream brings the compression up to about 62%. Eliminating the AC3 stream frees sufficient space but leaves the compression down around 51%. Given a trade off, I would prefer better audio over better video. Also, this DVD will be used both with a surround system in our family room and with only two channels and a sub-woofer in another room.
More insight and a better understanding of this issue would certainly be appreciated.
i've backed up a few of my concert dvd's and have compressed down as far as you and as they're concerts (ie not movies) the quality to me is more than good enough (well i'd say they're great). Audio can't be 'shrunk' in the same way video can ie it's copied 'as is', but i'd say use AC3 5.1 as it's more than great sounding, plus it'll downmix to stereo ok (i know nothing about LPCM). But either way i'd just copy it and see how it turns out
I find that, in most cases, the quality of the AC3 sound is very good. I usually drop the LPCM and keep the AC3, and I have never regretted the results. Remember, the AC3 is compressed, and even with 5.1 channels, it is going to be much smaller than 2 channel LPCM. One of the reasons LPCM is even available for DVD's is that there are no license fees associated with it's use, while if you produce a commercial DVD with Dolby, you have to pay a per disc sold license fee.
ps, if you are using a home audio system with a Dolby surround decoder, it will 'simulate' surround sound from a 2 channel source.
If your still not sure, play the original disc in your system and switch back and forth between AC3 and LPCM. Can you tell the difference? If so, use the one you think sounds better. If not, use the AC3 track.
Joss Stone's Mind, Body & Soul Sessions DVD has DTS and it sounds amazing! If you have a DTS surround sound system and you watch the DVD with the stereo on, you feel like you're really at the Irving Plaza concert. It's a great DVD!
