Which audio tracks to include/remove?

[jthompson99]

I noticed that when I backup some of my DVD's, I have many choices for the audio, such as:

English 5.1
English DTS
English Dolby (i think)
English ACM

That may not be exact, but what I am getting at, is that sometimes I will have like 4 or 5 audio English tracks for the main movie and if I can drop 3 of them I can same a lot of space. Which is the "MAIN" one that you want to keep that has the most compatibilty with DVD players?

[AarontheRipper]

Generally, you want to keep the DD 5.1 track because it will play on anything from a surround system to the TV speakers. DTS will only play if you have a DTS encoder on your DVD Player, or your surround receiver. They're pretty comparable as far as sound quality goes, with DTS having a slight edge. So, for sure keep the DD 5.1, and if sound is super important and you don't mind sacrificing some video quality, and you either have a DTS decoder, or you're planning on getting one, then keep that one too.

[jthompson99]

Cool, that is what I needed to know.

Thanks for the info.

[Gurm]

If you see multiple DD5.1 (or AC3 6ch) tracks, it's likely the commentary, or some other alternate track. You wanna keep the FIRST DD5.1 track you see.

- Gurm

[jthompson99]

Ok, I guess I didn't think about the commentaries. I like to keep those.

Thanks.

[poopyhead]

If you see multiple DD5.1 (or AC3 6ch) tracks, it's likely the commentary, or some other alternate track.

hrm...i've never seen commentary ever has AC3 6-Channel...i've only seen it as AC3 2-Channel....

[Gurm]

Oh, I have. Some commentaries are faded all the way to the rear in discrete 6-channel... with the director talking behind your left ear and the actors talking behind your right ear. Bleh.

Random Hearts is one that pops up off the top of my head.

- Gurm

[poopyhead]

wow...that's a big waste of space :P

[Gurm]

No KIDDING.

Bleh.

I mean, I didn't CHECK it - it COULD have been REALLY well encoded DD2.0/Pro Logic. But it sounded too discrete for that. The director's voice would literally jump out at you (the main scene still running in stereo) from behind your head to the left.

- Gurm