finally got headache working. i want to downmix an ac3 to mp2.
iv got most of it worked out but just wanted to be sure, my amplifier has pro logic 2 decoder, so i want the best sound possible

i just select downmix type SURROUND 2, 6CH. ?
Do i select stereo or dual channel?
is there any other option i sholud change/select?

Select surround2 yes.
I always use stereo but Kwag seems to say that for DPL2, dual is better (I have DPL1 only decopder so I don't know).

il do a test for both dual and stereo, see what sounds better, my reciever can do both dolby modes.

is there any other settings that need adjusting Phil? or am i good to go ahead with the encoding?

oh one more question phil.
i have a few vcds that i want to put on dvd, to my knowledge these have been encoded with some form of surround, im suspecting a surround 2 as it has stereo rear channels. the sound really is excellent. Now normally when doing this i re encode the audio to 48000 then i can author the dvd.

will i lose the surround if i re-encode the audio?
is there a way i can change to 48000 without re-encoding?
should i just load up the mp2 in headache and encode with surround2 at 48000?

im a bit nevous as i dont want to lose the sound quality, u really have to hear it to believe how well these were done

No. Besweet (of other) take the stereo stream in input, resample it, and encode it in output. If the input has Dolby Surround info embedded into the stereo stream, then you will have the same on the output.

Let remember that for any other element than your DPL 1 or 2) decoder, a Dolby Surround encoded audio is just a stereo one.

I don't even have to answer that. You know the answer

I'm not sure this is clear in headac3che, and it was not clear on besweet until recenctly (they changed the GUI now to avoid all confusion) : the choice "surround" and "surround2" are two features provided by azid.dll; This dll is used ONLY when you are reducing (we said downmixing) from 5.1 to 2.0 (so ac3 -> mp2). When doign mp2 -> mp2, you can set the mod eyou want, that won't change anythign on the result ! As explain above, if you have surround in the input, you have in the output. If you don't have, you won't have in the output EVEN IF YOU SELECT THE SURROUND2 MODE

Let say this an other way : there is no possibility to "create" a surround channel when it is not present in the source.

For your other question : I never use headac3che so I can't tell you but I think that default are correct.

thanks mate, got a lot cleared up now