PCM to ac3 surround sound?

[Shifty268]

Is PCM audio from DV video a surround sound source?
Is three 6 channels to encode it to ac3 surround sound how do you know if the audios got 6 channels?

Or if i encode PCM audio to ac3 surround sound file is it just converting a stero channel audio file to a 5.1 channel audio file, and not gaining the surround sound?

[guns1inger]

LPCM is an uncompressed two channel stereo format with no encoding information. Encoding to 5.1 is probably a waste, however AC-3 supports 1 channel up. I would suggest encoding to 2.0 AC3 at 192kHz to get the best quality/space ratio.

[dun4cheap]

AC3 itself is just a compression standard. If you have a stereo sound track then AC3-2channel will suffice. You can encode 2 channel audio to 5.1 but the other channels will be mute unless you re sample it. Programs as simple as studio 9 plus will alow you to move audio around and then encode to 5.1.

Other free tools for AC3 conversion is available as well, like besweat on some others. Other editing tools like Ulead, MyDVD, Sony Vegas Video etc can also do AC3 encoding.

The real advantage to AC3 encoding for DVDs is dvd compliancy and to save valuable space for video.

[guns1inger]

Calling AC3 "just a compression standard" is like saying a Porche 911 is "just a car"

[dun4cheap]

Like Popeye sais "It is what it is"