When should I use AC3 on a dvd

I am outputting from FCP to Compressor. Then into DVDSP. I am using the built in settings for best quality 150 mins 4:3 because the programs I am doing are about an 1:50 to 2:05 in length. I still have to tweak the settings to make it fit with a very simple single button (play) menu.

Do I need the AC3 files for this disc. Or can I leave off the aiff and just use the ac3 as the ac3 is considerably smaller?

Thanks
Mark

Absolutely always compress your audio. Especially for a long project. AIFF increases the throughput greatly for no appreciable benefit.

Is it your opinion to keep both files with each project? Is there circumstances where either of the files be deleted and why?

I don't understand the question. The PCM audio is in the QuickTime tracks of the movie file that gets taken to Compressor. Comrpessor encodes the video into MPEG-2 and the audio into Dolby Digital. That's why there is a Dolby preset in every single MPEG-2 preset folder.

I'd always keep the original media- the QuickTimes and AIFs archived somewhere. Because you don't one to be one of those folks in a couple of months asking how to rip off a DVD in high-quality (snort). SO archive those.

But on the disc itself should MPEG-2 and AC3, always forever.

Noah

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Thanks guys, that saves me a chunk of disc space!