Why include 2.0 with a 5.1 disc?
#1
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Why include 2.0 with a 5.1 disc?
I was wondering why a studio would bother putting a 2.0 Dolby Stereo track on a DVD that already has a 5.1 track. If you only have a stereo sound system, then the 5.1 track will still play out of your speakers. If you have a 5.1 setup, Pro Logic will spread out the 2.0 track throughout all the speakers, but such would be pointless since the disc has 5.1 encoding. Is the presence of a stereo track there if you're a purist and want watch the movie in only stereo? Does anybody do that?
#4
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Although all DVD players will downconvert a 5.1 track to standard stereo if you do not have a surround sound system, generally the DVD player does a crude job of this, simply throwing out all of the bass and combining the other channels without any attempt to balance the volume levels. A track that has been specifically mixed for 2.0 by professional sound engineers will usually sound a lot better on stereo/ProLogic equipment than a 5.1 track that has been downmixed.
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I see. Before I got a receiver I used to play DVDs with my stereo system handling the sound, but I could never tell the difference between the 5.1 and 2.0 tracks. Thanks. On a similar note, why are commentaries encoded in stereo? Wouldn't mono allow for more space for better picture/sound, or would the difference be marginal?
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I think I am also right in saying that on older movies, say 70's and 80's movies that were originally recorded in Dolby Stereo, a lot of people usually like the option to have the 2.0 track, as it's closer to the way the movie would have originally sounded in theatres.
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It really depends on your DVD player. I have an old Pioneer DV-414 that downmixes 5.1 almost flawlessly into 2 channel. Combined with a good amp and speakers that can image well, you will have a very convincing setup. The 2.0 streams to me sound really compressed, I don't think much time is spent by the engineers getting a good sound since it's not of much concern.
#9
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Originally posted by evitagen
On a similar note, why are commentaries encoded in stereo? Wouldn't mono allow for more space for better picture/sound, or would the difference be marginal?
On a similar note, why are commentaries encoded in stereo? Wouldn't mono allow for more space for better picture/sound, or would the difference be marginal?
#10
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Originally posted by JM1
I think I am also right in saying that on older movies, say 70's and 80's movies that were originally recorded in Dolby Stereo, a lot of people usually like the option to have the 2.0 track, as it's closer to the way the movie would have originally sounded in theatres.
I think I am also right in saying that on older movies, say 70's and 80's movies that were originally recorded in Dolby Stereo, a lot of people usually like the option to have the 2.0 track, as it's closer to the way the movie would have originally sounded in theatres.