AC-3, how useful really?

[Chief_Inspector]

Hulk,

1st off, I must say that I'm impressed with all the ac-3 options MSPro gives you to play with. I did a wide range of tests and the only difference I see is the file size where the ac-3 files were smaller. I personally didn't hear any audio quality difference between the 2 formats.

The songs I used for reference was 1 heavy metal, 1 flamenco, and 1 classical piece.

Systems used:

1 - Bryston 4B, Mackie mixer, Tannoy monitors

2 - Quad 405 amp, Quad pre-amp, Celestion speakers

3 - Nakamichi SoundSpace 21

AC-3 settings I used were:

256kbp (default)
448kbp

for each of the following:

2/0 (L,R)
3/0 (L,R,C)
2/1 (L,R,S)
3/1 (L,C,R,S)
2/2 (L,R,SL,SR)
3/2 (L,C,R,SL,SR)

For each of the settings above, I only used 1 setting from ulead's multiplexor settings, which was the default settings:

Start up delay:
pack = 0
video = 180
Audio1 = 180
Audio2 = 180

Pulldown:
Auto

Timestamp:
I frame

All these AC-3 files were compared to an mp3 file where I used the fraunhopher codec at 192kbp.

CI

[Hulk]

Thanks for going through the legwork with the testing. BTW, I love the Bryston stuff, plus the 20 year warranty is great!

So, unless you created mixes greater than two channel, the main advantages of AC-3 are increased compatibility with NTSC decks and better sound quality for smaller file sizes.

-Mark

[Chief_Inspector]

" So, unless you created mixes greater than two channel, the main advantages of AC-3 are increased compatibility with NTSC decks and better sound quality for smaller file sizes."

Certainly looks that way to me. If we are missing something, hoepfully Jack can jump in and clear it up for us.

CI

[Hulk]

AC-3 Power Pack for DVD Workshop doesn't seem worth the money since MS Pro 7 can do this encoding.

[Chief_Inspector]

Haven't tried that but I do have DVDit PE and for the price difference between that and DVD movie factory, I'm trying to figure out how Sonic can justify the high price.

MSPro 7 is continuing to amaze me with its complete package.

CI