To PCM, or not to PCM...That is the question!

[ejai]

After creating several DVD-R disks I now face a dilema that maybe others are contemplating.

I created these dvd disks using mpeg-2 audio, which by dvd standards is optional. All the dvd players I put the disks in play them fine, even though the video was created with the mpeg2 audio instead of LPCM.

By DVD standards a mandatory audio stream of LPCM or AC-3 must be on the disk and any mpeg stream can be optionally added. For complete compatibility with DVD players you must use LPCM or AC-3.

I'm hoping I'm not creating a product that won't work in the future. I noticed software and hardware products are implementing PCM audio settings. I'm wondering if this is the sign of the future to come.

The only thing I hate about LPCM audio is that it is rather large and takes up more space that could be used for video quality. Mpeg is smaller and at present works fine.

I would really like your opinions on this topic. I am curious about what others are thinking about this situation.

Thanks,
ej

[SLK001]

You must be in the PAL region of the world. MPEG2 audio is not supported on NTSC versions of DVD (only MPEG1-Layer II, PCM, DTS and AC3 in the AUDIO streams).

I have often wondered about that requirement of an AC3 or LPCM file being required. Does the disk scan the DVD looking for these before it will play? I don't think so. Or, does it get to the end of a DVD, and finding out that it didn't play either one, say "you bad boy... I won't play this again"?

The way I would technically "meet" the standard is to have my FIRST PLAY PGC video have an AC3 stream (I usually get this from a commercial DVD). But then, most of my audio is AC3.

[ejai]

My bad,

You are correct I am speaking about NTSC mpeg1. As long as it has PCM or AC-3 it is considered 100% dvd compatible. Yet if you create a video only using mpeg audio streams it is not considered 100% dvd compatible.

ej

[ahfairley]

For whatever reason (I think the problem is in my HT receiver), the sound DVDs I encode and burn with MPEG-1 layer 2 sound isn't very good (problem only with digital coax audio input from player to receiver, no problem with analog connections). TMPGEnc and Cinemacraft only output layer 2 audio, as far as I can tell. The only encoder I know of that will output AC3 is the one in DVDit PE and the only encoder I know of that will output PCM is the one in DVD Workshop.

Anyone know of any other (high-quality) encoders that will give me AC3 or PCM in the final MPG file?

Thanks,

Alan

[Greg12]

scenarist has a good ac-3 encoder, of course it's like 10,000 dollars.

Their's always WinMX, not that I would encourage that.


BTW, if you can get away with AC3 or MPeg 2 audio go for it.

you'll get more media on a dvd. no PCM

[SLK001]

You can try the BeSweet suite of programs to convert your .PCM to .AC3 (or .MPA) audio. And it's even free. I use this program to go from .MPA or .AC3 to .WAV so I can do audio processing on my files (noise reduction, treble boost, etc). Just make sure that you get the latest version and ALL the required plugins - .DLLs.