DVD5 audio/video bitrate balance question

[Brent.M]

I have a couple of raw HD (mkv) video files with 5.1 which I will be encoding to fit on a DVD5 at best quality. When I have encoded HD video files in the past they have been to fit on DVD9, and haven't needed to worry about balancing. But since I only have DVD5s now...

I would like your input on whether I should lower the audio bitrate to balance better. What do you suggest?
Do you think 448 audio is too high? Of course, these converts are menuless, nothing but the film.

edit:
This could have done with going in "Newbie / General discussions". Sorry.

[Brent.M]

By no means am I computer literate but I have little knowledge on the audio/video side of things.

384 Kbps / 448 Kbps are 5.1, correct? (I know Bitrate has nothing at all to do with whether your files are in 5.1 sound or not)
I don't have 5.1 speaker setup, I just have the audio come from the either the speakers on the TV(s) or through the 2 hifi speakers.

Even though I don't experience the surround-s effect, the lower the lesser the quality in general, obviously. So should I choose 384 as my limit.

How do 384 and 448 compare? Or less even.

[guns1inger]

In terms of actual space requirements, you save very little by re-encoding 448 down to 384 kbps, so the amount of work required to do it right isn't justified by the very small difference in video bitrate it affords. If you are sure you will never, ever watch these on a system that supports surround sound then you could re-encode the audio down to something much lower - 192 - 256 stereo, which might be worth the effort.

Personally, I always keep the 5.1 AC3 audio if available. DTS, on the otherhand, usually eats too much to justify on a DVD5.

[Brent.M]

Thanks.

That's the type of simple answer I was hoping for. Cleared things up for me. I will still welcome any input from others if they wish to add something.

Yeah, unless a 5.1 speaker setup becomes a standardized bundle with every new television, I don't see myself having a such a setup. Not for a long time anyway. But, you never know, hey. That is something to think about.

Since we are all used to 384/448 audio would a bitrate of say 256 sound a bit iffy? Or is that more than acceptable? Again, I am looking for the best quality video/audio I can for a DVD5.

It is said, apparently, our eyes are more favourable to lesser quality than our ears. I guess I am going to have to encode a short bit of video and see what I think about it, hey.

[jman98]

Honestly, cutting the audio bit rate doesn't really help that much. It's like worrying about pence when you need to worry about pounds. An audio bitrate of 256 is fine if you convert the 5.1 audio to 2.0, but still the video bitrate is much more important in terms of how much space everything will take up. For best results I would suggest that you not put more than 1 movie per DVD-5 disc. You can encode one movie to DVD-5 size and use good audio (384 or 448) and get excellent results if your video encoder is good.

[Brent.M]

Yeah, 1 movie per DVD5. I'm not that computer literate. Quality is top priory, as it should be for anything really. If the film source is as high as or high than DVD then I will defiantly solely put it on a DVD5 or DVD9.

Thanks for the input. Just to see for myself I will do 2 test encodes at higher and lower audio rates to see if the changes in video is even noticeable...

I'll be using HCenc or CCE if I purchase it. Though, I have a question about CCE:

Q) That RoBa OPV feature CCE has are the results really just as good as standard several passes mode?

Edit:
OK, you know what, your input makes sense, jman98. I don't think I'll bother with the test encodes. Takes too much time.

I'll just keep audio as it is.

Thanks all for your input.

[t0nee1]

OK, you know what, your input makes sense, jman98. I don't think I'll bother with the test encodes. Takes too much time.
I'll just keep audio as it is.

Sooner or later you will want to do some testing for yourself, as we all have different hearing and as for quality viewing--well 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'...

I personally always try to encode the audio with the highest possible bitrate(higher quality) w/o sacrificing too much video bitrates..So to answer your questions,

How do 384 and 448 compare? Or less even.

Do some testing and hear for your self..

Do you think 448 audio is too high

No, the higher the better, again make sure not to sacrifice too much video quality(lower bitrate(s),and by using the higher audio bitrate(s) doesn't exceed the SL DVD-5 disc max size..

I'm with guns on this I always keep the original 5.1 ac3 @the highest bitrate..I not only enjoy good quality viewing but, I also enjoy listening to a good action flick through my Yamaha receiver in surround sound, whether 5.1 or 2ch stereo..
To each his/her own! 8)

[kazyn]

Don't ever re encode the audio its just a waste of time and the space gain is useless.

[Brent.M]

Yes, I have now gathered that.

I tested audio bit rate at 256 from 488 and the loss in audio quality vs. video gain isn't worth it.


Thanks all.