SURROUND SOUND in VCD?

[biggantdogg]

If possible, how do I maintain surround sound or dolby sound when encoding from a DVD-rip to VCD format?

[adam]

Virtually all of the convential dvd to vcd/svcd methods available allow for dolby surround downmixing. Your two best bets are dvd2avi or azid. You may want to get Besweet and the gui for it. This will completely automate the ac3 to wav file process, complete with dolby surround downmixing and 48kH->44100kHz downsampling. Just follow the dvdrip guides, they all cover how to preserve dolby surround. And just so you know, this is all that is possible with vcds as far as surround sound audio is concerned.

[biggantdogg]

Thanks! I'll look into that.

[offline]

Versions of DVD2AVI later than 1.77.0 can provide you with
a nice .ac3 with delays calculated. You can then use HeadAc3
to make the end stereo mp2 Dolby Prologic II
ready. Pro logic II is, by some accounts, better than DD but I doubt
it. It is better than stereo anyway 8)

[ViperXT]

Versions of DVD2AVI later than 1.77.0 can provide you with
a nice .ac3 with delays calculated. You can then use HeadAc3
to make the end stereo mp2 Dolby Prologic II
ready. Pro logic II is, by some accounts, better than DD but I doubt
it. It is better than stereo anyway

Dolby Pro Logic II is not quite as nice as Dolby Digital 5.1. This is because it is limited by the contraints of being a matrix based coding algorithm. However, in sutuations where only 2 channel audio can be output DPL II takes the cake. It has better separation than standard Pro-Logic and is way better than standard Dolby Surround(non-digital). It is better in DD 5.1 in the sense that it can be used with low bandwidth requirements with acceptable results.

[vitualis]

Let us stop this confusion right now and here.

Dolby Digital 5.1 (AC3) cannot be put in any shape or form on a VCD or SVCD.

Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Pro Logic II are decoding methods only. They refer to the decoder. This is what your speakers or audio receiver does. It has NOTHING to do with the encoded audio.

You cannot encode audio specifically for Dolby Pro Logic II as to Dolby Pro Logic.

This is simply as both are DECODING methods ONLY and they both decode Dolby surround encoded audio.

I suggest you clarify this in your own mind by reading the tech documents at http://www.dolby.com

Regards.

[offline]

Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Pro Logic II are decoding methods only. They refer to the decoder.

I agree.

It has NOTHING to do with the encoded audio.

The method of DOWNMIXING applied can make a
difference according to what I have read. While it is a given that just
about all common audio handling methods used by ppl in the vcd
world can preserve dolby surround stereo (2trk) just fine , dolby prologic II receivers can benefit from a diferent way of downmixing from AC3. HeadAc3 claims to be able to do this from a DD 5.1 file. It is notable that Dolby will not issue a Dolby Pro Logic II licence trademark to those with exisiting DPL equipment. Oh and by the way, Dolby Prologic II allows for
2 - 4 tracks of paired audio - Dolby Prologic is just 2 tracks. Check your
facts. 8)

[adam]

I agree Vitualis but I'm not sure I see where in this thread anyone suggested otherwise. Were you referring to this statement, "Pro logic II is, by some accounts, better than DD"? I personally don't see what's wrong with comparing the quality/practicality of a decoding method compared to an encoding method. As far as I'm concerned its all relative when your sitting on the couch watching a movie. As far as SVCDS are concerned, however, its a moot point since DD will never be possible in a compliant SVCD anyways.

[Big_Jit]

Does this mean (if your audio is encoded to mpeg-1 layer-2 224 kbps Stereo for instance) that when you play it back through your Dolby Pro Logic Reciever that you're getting Dolby Pro Logic sound? Sorry if that sounds like a dumb question...

I know that when I test my vcd's on my computer that it sounds ALOT better when using WinDVD than it does using Windows Media Player 7.1...

It's like I get REAL sound with WinDVD and "Computer" sound with WMP 7.1...

[adam]

Yes Big_Jit that is correct.

[vitualis]

While it is a given that just about all common audio handling methods used by ppl in the vcd world can preserve dolby surround stereo (2trk) just fine , dolby prologic II receivers can benefit from a diferent way of downmixing from AC3. HeadAc3 claims to be able to do this from a DD 5.1 file.

Very interesting but where is the evidence of this? Can you provide a link.

Check your facts. 8)

I have before and it agrees perfectly with what I have written previously.

http://www.dolby.com/tech/l.wh.0007.PLIIops.html

Regards.