mkv and HD Audio Opinions

[will]

Hello,

I am finally starting to convert my blu-ray collection for SageTV. I am a little disappointed that SageTV doesn't support menus (like for DVDs). Because SageTV doesn't support menus and I don't believe it is likely to, I am converting my blu-rays using MakeMKV instead of copying the full 50 gig disk to my drive with features I can't play (I only use extenders, no PowerDVD option for me). I am converting only the main file, 100% uncompressed (mkv files around 20 to 30 gigs).

What I am unsure about is the audio. I know SageTV doesn't support DTS HD Audio (lossless). I know the HD200s can pass the Core DTS to a receiver but not the DTS HD. Because of this I am wondering if it is worthwhile to include the lossless audio stream in the MKV files. By not including the files I save 3 or 4 gigs per movie.

Also, I am not an audio buff, I am not sure if I could tell the difference between Core DTS and lossless if the HD200 could pass it to the receiver. In addition, I don't know if you need very high end speakers to hear the difference (which I don't have).

How does everyone feel on this issue? Do you think DTS HD is worthwhile or should I just stick with Core and save the space?

Thanks for the help,
Will

[Fuzzy]

If all you're going to be playing them with is an HD200, it's really not worth it keeping the full lossless, as it's never going to be able to play it back. Taking it a bit further, if you DO use HD200's exclusively, you may actually want to convert that DTS to an AC3 track. This will allow actual decoding on the HD200, which is of use if you DON'T have a DTS capable AVR (like in bedrooms and such). There's a utility around here to do this conversion in MKV's after the fact, so it's a decision that can be made later.

[bits]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

If all you're going to be playing them with is an HD200, it's really not worth it keeping the full lossless, as it's never going to be able to play it back. Taking it a bit further, if you DO use HD200's exclusively, you may actually want to convert that DTS to an AC3 track. This will allow actual decoding on the HD200, which is of use if you DON'T have a DTS capable AVR (like in bedrooms and such). There's a utility around here to do this conversion in MKV's after the fact, so it's a decision that can be made later.

I may be mis-understanding your post but I play full BD rips with my HD200 all the time, that is with the HD audio converted to 5.1. I rip the main movie with DVDFab and then use Clown_BD to convert the audio if necessary. I have done so on 20+ BDs so far, which includes AVATAR, and they all played smoothly and continuously on my HD200.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by bits

I may be mis-understanding your post but I play full BD rips with my HD200 all the time, that is with the HD audio converted to 5.1. I rip the main movie with DVDFab and then use Clown_BD to convert the audio if necessary. I have done so on 20+ BDs so far, which includes AVATAR, and they all played smoothly and continuously on my HD200.

Not sure what you are misunderstanding. I simply suggested keeping either just the core DTS track, if you have a DTS capable AVR, or if not, converting the DTS track to AC3, so the HD200 can decode it.

[will]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

There's a utility around here to do this conversion in MKV's after the fact, so it's a decision that can be made later.

I didn't mention it, but I do add an additional AC3 audio track to the mkv's using mkv Audio Converter (a program written for Popcorn Hour).

After doing more research and reading the responses I'm going to just keep the Core DTS track. I read mixed information online that mkv's don't support DTS-MA (HD) streams (not sure if this is correct). I also read that the main difference between Core DTS and DTS HD is Core provides the 5.1 channels while the HD provides 7.1.

Considering my setup, I think Core DTS should work.

Thanks for the help.

[Fuzzy]

DTS-MA is actually far superior to DTS (it's 7.1 lossless compression, as opposed to 5.1 Lossy compression), so if you had the capability to utilize it, it would make sense to keep it in. If, however, you're using just HD extenders for playback, then, as you've already suggested, there's no real point. DTS or AC3 is all you can use, so why cram up the drive with anything else?

[PLUCKYHD]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

DTS-MA is actually far superior to DTS (it's 7.1 lossless compression, as opposed to 5.1 Lossy compression), so if you had the capability to utilize it, it would make sense to keep it in. If, however, you're using just HD extenders for playback, then, as you've already suggested, there's no real point. DTS or AC3 is all you can use, so why cram up the drive with anything else?

For me it's in hopes that one day an extender will support hd audio. I would hate to have to rerip mymovies if/when that day ever comes. Plus I will build a client one day that does hd passthrough. I figure why I am ripping the movie should keep it future proof.

[Spectrum]

Here is an interesting comparison of PCM-Lossless-Lossy compression for DD and DTS. Worth the read if you haven't seen it before

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by PLUCKYHD

For me it's in hopes that one day an extender will support hd audio. I would hate to have to rerip mymovies if/when that day ever comes. Plus I will build a client one day that does hd passthrough. I figure why I am ripping the movie should keep it future proof.

You still haven't built the i3 system? It is awesome...Granted certain codecs and sage v7 don't get along, but that is a whole other issue...

[PLUCKYHD]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

You still haven't built the i3 system? It is awesome...Granted certain codecs and sage v7 don't get along, but that is a whole other issue...

Yeah funds is the limiting factor right now so just waiting around a bit.