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  1. Just an education Q ...

    If I am creating DVD with 5:1 I understand why I would use AC3
    If there is only 2ch-Stereo, is there any benefit to using AC-3 or should I then use mpeg-2


    Goal is DVD compliant files for DVD creation, and maximum DVD player compatibility, is AC3 supported on all DVD players ?
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  2. Member
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    ac-3 has less compatibility issues than mp2. Look at this section "Technical Info for DVD-Video"
    on this page: https://www.videohelp.com/dvd

    You'll see this sentence for PAL "One audio track must have MPEG-1, DD or PCM Audio.", and for NTSC
    it says "One audio track must have DD or PCM Audio."

    Indeed, creating a single title myself (NTSC) using mp2, played back in silence - the player didn't like it.
    For PAL, it *should* be OK - at least that's my understanding.
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  3. DECEASED
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    Originally Posted by Tafflad View Post
    Just an education Q ...
    ...
    ...

    If there is only 2ch-Stereo, is there any benefit to using AC-3 or should I then use mpeg-2
    Instead of "MPEG-2", you really should have written MP2 (short for MPEG-1 Audio, Layer 2)
    Yes, precise terminology does matter
    Warning: you have been educated
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  4. Originally Posted by El Heggunte View Post
    Originally Posted by Tafflad View Post
    Just an education Q ...
    ...
    ...

    If there is only 2ch-Stereo, is there any benefit to using AC-3 or should I then use mpeg-2
    Instead of "MPEG-2", you really should have written MP2 (short for MPEG-1 Audio, Layer 2)
    Yes, precise terminology does matter
    Warning: you have been educated
    Thanks
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  5. If there is only 2ch-Stereo, is there any benefit to using AC-3 or should I then use mpeg-2
    if your source material contains only dialogues, you can still use mp2.

    Some benefits for using AC3 over MP2 are:
    1) Maximum bitrate available.
    2) High Fidelity, where as in case of MP2 has limited frequency resolution.
    3) Universal hardware/software player support.
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  6. Thanks ... I did AC3
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  7. Member 2Bdecided's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by enim View Post
    If there is only 2ch-Stereo, is there any benefit to using AC-3 or should I then use mpeg-2
    if your source material contains only dialogues, you can still use mp2.

    Some benefits for using AC3 over MP2 are:
    1) Maximum bitrate available.
    2) High Fidelity, where as in case of MP2 has limited frequency resolution.
    3) Universal hardware/software player support.
    MPEG-1 layer II has universal player support in "PAL" players.

    It's already higher quality than you need for home movies at 256kbps, but it goes up to 320kbps or 384kbps if you really want. At bitrates where you sometimes can hear a difference (e.g. 192kbps) good mp2 is generally better than good AC-3. Don't use a really crappy encoder for either, and don't use 192kbps - stick with 256kbps.

    mp2 has no great advantages (beyond wider availability of encoders), but no disadvantages for stereo content on PAL discs.

    There's always PCM if you really care about the audio quality, but that's just getting silly IMO (unless it's a music-only disc with unimportant pictures, or short playing time).

    AC-3 is fine too, but on PAL discs I wouldn't go out of my way to use it.

    Cheers,
    David.
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