How to convert DTS HD Master audio 5.1 to DD 5.1

Eac3to: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=125966

If you prefer, the software allows you to extract the DTS core from it (meaning it is no longer lossless, but becomes regular lossy DTS without re-encoding).

If that's confusing, as I understand it DTS-HD is an extension of DTS.  It's really DTS + extra stuff to make it lossless.  The extras stuff can be stripped and an untouched DTS track is left behind.

If you prefer though, Eac3to will also allow you to re-encode to DD.

Even using a GUI for it?  There are several which should make it easier.

I never really had problems with the CLI version though.

Edit: I suppose an alternative would be to use something like Tranzcode to extract mono wave files and then use your favorite audio encoder to convert to DD from there.

I don't know how much development it's been under since eac3to is everyone's go-to program, but it looks to be a bit easier to use.

Edit 2: What is important is that eac3to can be set up with the DTS decoder of your choice.  Sonic's decoder is reference (and some say Nero's might be as well).  That would give eac3to the edge on accuracy over other methods.

Edit (cough) 3: I would be remiss if I didn't also suggest NicAudio.  It let's you decode via avisynth. http://nicaudio.codeplex.com/

Since you're going to have a DD2.0 track, I'm surprised you didn't favor the idea of extracting the DTS core... because that's just awesome stuff (and one of the least difficult things to do with eac3to).

I don't know if you saw the Wiki for eac3to: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Eac3to/How_to_Use

Anyway, if BD-RB didn't turn out satisfactory results, let me know, I could probably do the conversion for you.

Most BD rips of lossless tracks favor very high bitrate conversions to DD.  Usually the max of 640kbps, but it's really probably overkill.  640kbps DD is considered comparable sonically to 768kbps DTS.

IIRC, you don't need any plugins or anything special to extract a DTS core.  Just the main eac3to program and:

[code]eac3to input.dtshd output.dts -core[/code]

See if this makes sense:  DTS HD MA is really just the old DTS audio with some extra stuff tacked on that makes it lossless instead of lossy.

But, the thing is, within all DTS HD MA tracks there is a plain old DTS track embedded.

You can toss out the lossless component and be left with the DTS track.  It's not re-encoding to get to standard DTS, it's untouched.

Um, to put it another way, it's the old Voyager 6 sitting inside the massive AI ship that is V'ger.  You can pull out the old Voyager probe and use it, but of course it's not nearly as impressive... and doesn't kidnap bald women.