But if I encode the dolby stereo mix as a stereo DTS file it will play as just stereo, it cannot be encoded to surround by the audio hardware. So that won't be a cinema accurate representation, correct?
Low frequency audio is automatically rerouted to the subwoofer no matter if it's PCM, ac3 or dts and even if the subwoofer channel doesn't contain an audio track, correct?
Yes, the idea is that those 2 channels contain matrixed surround information. Play the audio through a Pro-logic decoder and you will get 4 channel output. This is the same process used in theaters for Dolby Stereo tracks.
4 channel? No centre speaker?
No problem
For the second question : A mono AC3 will play from only the center speaker on a 5.1 system and on both speakers on a stereo system.
4 channel? No centre speaker?
Sorry, I honestly didn't get it (maybe the only one!). I thought he was referring to a certain number of processors or something else. Thanks for clarifying.
No problem

For the second question : A mono AC3 will play from only the center speaker on a 5.1 system and on both speakers on a stereo system.
So maybe the best thing would be to just encode 3 AC3 tracks... mono mix centre channel, mono mix in lf and lr channel, dolby stereo as dd 2.0 surround. Does the Dolby Stereo PCM contain the matrixed surround information?
Is it true dd2.0 can only be encoded at a maximum bitrate of 320 to be muxed ok with the video file? If I encode a dd2.0 file at a higher bitrate I can't use it in dvd-lab pro.
Bebucus, are you going to release the mono mix as PCM? Please?