DTS vs AC3

[Mrsash]

I have a DVD with DTS 6 channel and AC3 6 channel. Whcih one should I choose for a rip. Does either have any advantages?
thanks

[edDV]

AC3 is universally supported. DTS decoders are more rare. Don't assume others can decode and play DTS.

DTS sounds better on a good audio system but requires a greater share of disc. space.

[jman98]

DTS uses a completely different algorithm and much higher bit rates than AC3 does. DTS is usually louder than AC3 and studies have shown that all things being equal, most people will perceive a louder sound as being higher quality than the exact same sound at a lower volume. Both are lossy. DTS does some high frequency roll off to save space that I don't think AC3 does. Basically, most adults start to lose their ability to hear high frequency sounds, so DTS just throws away any sound above a certain threshold because most adults won't hear it anyway.

AC3 takes up much less space, but DTS is perceived by most to be higher quality. edDV is completely correct. Many people with DVD players can't decode DTS at all. Most players don't contain a chip capable of decoding it because that adds to the cost of the player, so that pushes the decoding to the amplifier, if the person even has one. I know plenty of people with DVD players who don't own amps. Basically any DVD player that costs less than $100 US probably won't be able to decode DTS in the player and will have to send the signal to an amp for decoding. For greatest compatibility with other people, you have to use AC3 because it is an absolute requirement that ALL DVD players sold everywhere in the world must be capable of decoding the AC3 track within the player itself.

[Mrsash]

thanks guys love this website.

[Mrsash]

Ok Further to this. Tried ripping this long movie with AC3 6 channel. Unfortunately. I need it at 1.4 GB and keeping the Ac3 means significant size allocated to Audio. Is there a Audio format which can keep the 6 channel for my 5.1 system and compress the Audio? I use Auto GK at the moment. If you can help me please, also advice on what settings I should be using for Xvid.
While on the topic of compression and quality. I am not saying xvid is bad but have seen quite a compression achieved with H264. Can someone enlighten me if this is a better format to store you videos for frequent use or should I stick with xvid?

thanks guys

[edDV]

Ok Further to this. Tried ripping this long movie with AC3 6 channel. Unfortunately. I need it at 1.4 GB and keeping the Ac3 means significant size allocated to Audio. Is there a Audio format which can keep the 6 channel for my 5.1 system and compress the Audio? I use Auto GK at the moment. If you can help me please, also advice on what settings I should be using for Xvid.
While on the topic of compression and quality. I am not saying xvid is bad but have seen quite a compression achieved with H264. Can someone enlighten me if this is a better format to store you videos for frequent use or should I stick with xvid?

thanks guys

h.264 is capble of more compression for a given picture quality but needs display card hardware assist or a very fast CPU for 1x playback (unless size reduced) and takes longer to encode.

[jkleslie]

I agree if using a PC-based system to playback your videos - h.264 is the way to go for video. I don't back my DVDs up with anything else. I even archive my DV recordings in it.

As edDV said, make sure you have enough horsepower to play it back if encoding in high bitrate/resolution.

[Mrsash]

My main system for encoding would be my Core 2 Duo 6600 but playback will mostly be handled by P4 2.4 Ghz, 1 Gb ram vista media centre. I looked at Automkv I think but I still dont know settings and quality etc, also on top of that I need to know if audio ac3 6 channel has a H264 counter part which also keeps the 6 channels.
thanks

[jkleslie]

You're using almost the same setup as I am. My E6600@3.2GHz does most of my encoding and I have a bedroom HTPC that consists of a P4 2.53GHz/1GB RDRAM and a 6200-series nVidia video card (P-M 2GHz/2GB DDR400 and 6200 in my main - both AGP). I don't playback anything in HD (except recorded OTA TV), so I can't account for that, but I don't have any issues up to 800x336.

As far as a counterpart to h.264 video, I use AAC 5.1 for mine and it's excellent (using mp4 container). Even all the way down to 128kb, the audio is very good. If you're an audiophile you may want to go higher on the bitrate, but I haven't found the need to and I have two good surround systems (and a third decent one) in my home.

[Mrsash]

Can you tell me what software you are using. Something which is able to work like AutoGk. Something whcih can provide best quality for size allocated? And point me to a guide for the same if possible.
thanks