LAserdisc 5.1 question...

[e.lectronick]

FOUND THE ANSWER!!!!!

I know I'd seen the discussion somewhere on a forum. It just wasn't this one. It's over at www.doom9.org

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=03d394b3b18a7f34a213c3f9a7727fdf&threadid=4256...=recording+ac3

In a nutshell, you can record the ac3 stream into a S/PDIF input on a soundcard that can record bit accurately using the program plugin BeSplit (for the program BeSweet) to save it as a 'ddwav' file. I have to check out the program, and see how it works, but I think we're in buisiness!
-Erik.

P.S. Here's the description of BeSplit Plugin:

"BeSplit is a multimedia streams cutter & fixer.
with BeSplit, you can cut & fix WAV/AC3/AAC/MPA/MP3/MP2/MP1.

BeSplit can also also be used to :
- Remove wav headers of audio streams extracted from avi using VirtualDub.
- Extract AC3 stream from a DolbyDigital WAVE.
- Fix playback time of WAVE files & VBR mp3.
- Demux a MultiChannel WAVE (N channels) into N mono WAVEs.."

[lchiu7]

Interesting. I have all the software and hardware for doing this (my LD outputs AC-3 RF, I have a Yamaha AC-3 adapter that takes the RF output and converts to regular a digital signal) that be fed into a regular DD receiver's coax or analogue inputs - in my case it could directly into the SPDIF input of a sound card. Main problem is my Star Wars discs are Dolby Surround only I have plenty of AC-3 LD's - just none that I would bother to convert to DVD format since I it's probably easier just to buy them in that format

Larry

[e.lectronick]

Interesting. I have all the software and hardware for doing this (my LD outputs AC-3 RF, I have a Yamaha AC-3 adapter that takes the RF output and converts to regular a digital signal) that be fed into a regular DD receiver's coax or analogue inputs - in my case it could directly into the SPDIF input of a sound card. Main problem is my Star Wars discs are Dolby Surround only I have plenty of AC-3 LD's - just none that I would bother to convert to DVD format since I it's probably easier just to buy them in that format

Larry

Yeah, I have that same problem. Only, I think that to have to buy the DVDs is kind of crappy, since if I've already got the films I should be able to convert them rather than giving my money away to Lucasfilm (or whomever) all over again. Plus, there's the added satisfaction of a job done myself.
Regarding the dolby surround issue. If you happen to have the Special Edition Star Wars LDs, the original LDs *and* a whole lot of time on your hands, it'd be worth it to see if the best of both versions could be combined into an ultimate "purist's choice" Star Wars Trilogy. For example, use the Special Edition version as a basis, with all the digital remastering of the video and surround sound, but edit in the better footage of the original "Han shoots Greedo first" scene, and take out whatever goofy little droid antics that occur in Mos Eisley etc... And Empire and Jedi aren't objectionable to me, for the most part. I think the digital effects redo on the space battles are indeed better and more exciting. More ships, the battle following the dialog better et al...
This is just an idea. It's been my goal to create the best of both versions anyway. Lucas will *NEVER* do this himself. He thinks the special editions are superior in every way. As a result, he won't be releasing the old editions on DVD. So sayeth he in all of his -ahem- wisdom.
-E