I don't see a post forum, or a surround forum...so it goes here.

I recently finished my lead engineer role on doing 7.1/5.1/2.0 Post for cinematic scenes in two major release video games.

I am in the process of placing these on a DVD for display along with possible other material.

The first game was mixed with dialog at -5.0dbfs, and loud scenes are at a -0.1 ceiling. The second game had no loud scenes, and so dialog was ultimately mixed at the -0.1 ceiling.

Now that I am authoring a DVD, the issue of there relative levels comes into play. All the audio is being encoded in DD, so I can use the dialnorm setting.

Should I use the dialnorm setting?
Is there a better alternative - aesthetically, should I adjust the mix of one to match the other.
Does dialnorm activate on nearly all players these days?

That covers my main question thus far, thanks!

<quote> Should I use the dial norm setting? </quote> If you want to....

If I remember right (please correct me if I am wrong) dial norm is nothing more than a recommended compression setting.


This compression setting is only a guideline, and not written in stone.

When I went to school about 15 years ago, they taught me this... "Here are the rules. When you learn to live within the rules, break the rules!

I think Red Book standards mean much more than Dialnorm settings.

Just trying to push in the proper direction.