Bluray DTS 24bit vs 16bit w/AC3Filter

[Tony Jenkins]

I have a question regarding the use of AC3filter in the following workflow: Bluray -> PC (m2ts file) -> Expression Encoder 4 -> WMV.

Expression Encoder requires AC3filter in order to recognize the DTS HD audio. According to Media Info, the Bluray file in question has DTS audio with 24 bit depth. In AC3Filter settings I can set it to PCM 24bit or 16bit. In Expression Encoder I can encode to 24 or 16bit depth. Is it best to keep everything at 24, or set one or the other to 16bit? I have noticed that when converting from DTS HD to AC3 most programs output 16bit, 640kbps files so I am assuming the end product that I would want is 16bit?

Also, when importing the video file in Expression Encoder, the AC3filter has two icons pop up in the system tray. One showed a 2 channel to 5.1 conversion (PCM16 2/0 [stereo] to PCM24 3/2.1 [5.1]) and the other 5.1 to 5.1 (DTS to PCM PCM24 3/2.1 [5.1])- I currently have AC3 set to 24bit. Is there a reason a two channel conversion is popping up? My concern is that I want to make sure I am not encoding some up-sampled 2 channel stereo track to 5.1. I need to make sure I am encoding from true 5.1 to 5.1.

[aedipuss]

just a guess but are there 2 audio tracks in the ripped m2ts file? you can use mediainfo to check. i'd say make sure to rip the bluray to a m2ts with only one audio track.

[Tony Jenkins]

Yes they are. The ripped m2ts actually has 4 or 5 audio tracks so if that is the reason I am not sure why AC3filter wouldn't have a separate icon for each track? And Haali media spliter comes up just like AC3 in the system tray, but it only has one audio track selected obviously. I would think that would be the only one AC3filter has "access" to, but it doesn't seem to be the case.