This is my first post to a message board/web community ever, so forgive me (and please advise accordingly) if I commit some sort of web faux-pas. I’ve downloaded the most recent AVCHD versions of the films (SW2.7, ESB2.0, ROJ2.5), and according to what I’ve read here, there are several “tracks” associated with each file. I have also taken away from the above discussion that the hairy_hen 5.1 mix is included with all but the Towne32 (v2.7) version. So here are my (I suspect, very dumb) questions:

As the 5.1 is listed as “track 1” in the versions for which it is included, will that be the default track?
1a) If yes, is there a special setting I need to use/maintain when I run the .m2ts file through my authoring program (making menus etc.) before saving and burning to disk? I want to make sure that I’m maintaining the integrity of the mix.
1b) If no, how do I isolate the track to act as my default when running through authoring software (as in 1a)?
It doesn’t appear that the 5.1 is included in the Towne32 version. Is there a downloadable version of just the audio to replace the track in that file?
I spent countless hours slowly downloading the AVCHD files as my anti-virus software doesn’t trust any of the FRDs recommended in TUIG. I saw (in other threads) that the MKV versions are superior if I am going to burn to Blu-ray. Are the MKV versions superior enough to justify the hours needed and GB downloaded (we have limits in AK)?

I’m doing this for my husband who is a true die-hard fan and I want to produce the best possible end result for him. I very much appreciate any and all advice offered.