To everyone:

I have heard some say that Dolby AC3/Digital 5.1 and Dolby ProLogic can not be on a Video CD well here is the proof that they can.

A music CD can be encoded in DigitalTheaterSound, QSurround, TruSurround, and SRS. Many CDS are stereo soundtracks but some are in Dolby Surround. Check out the website on Digital Bits for a press release from DTS themselves about DTS on CDs. Granted no player has the ability to decode the Digital Theater Sound but it is there.

Video CDs have been and almost always will be in Dolby Surround. i originally thought the Malaysian titles were in Dolby Stereo but were actually in Dolby Surround(poor use of the rear channels). The middle to the last of the CD-I Video CDs were in Dolby Surround. Newer VCDs in Hong kong and Malaysia are being encoded in Dolby Surround ProLogic. Check out ThiaNetCity and they list their Video CDs as Dolby Surround.

LaserDiscs...screw Paramount, Titanic LD has Dolby Digital 5.1 and Digital Theater Sound 5.1 versions. Got that off my chest. LD was first encoded in Dolby Surround, when Dolby ProLogic became available, they then moved to that. Now they are encoded in Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS depends on your choice.

DVD...If it was a sound standard DVD can use it. DTS, DD 5.1, Mono, Surround, ProLogic. Does not matter.

Which one is most used? Video CDs tend to use Dolby Surround more as the encoding is cheap(Reason why most VHS movies are in Dolby Surround and not ProLogic Surround). LDs are offered now in the two version variety with DD 5.1 or DTS. Music CDS lean towards stereo. DVD well, they use mostly DD 5.1 as the equipment is cheaper and the sound is closer to a theater but DTS titles are showing up. So does that mean that AC3/DD 5.1 can not be on a Video CD? No it can but the cost is too high. DTS can also be on a VCD but again costs factor into it. It just depends on how many CDs and what you will risk to get something with the best sound. Universal Home Video lost the special features on some its DVDs to make a DTS version of that same movie. Personally, I want better looking pictures over a DTS, room-shaking, window-rattling soundtrack.

-- The Lone Ranger (rutger_s@hotmail.com), August 23, 1999