You need an encoder program to create the final mix...without that you can not play it in any DVD...plus there is the problem with R or R+ burners and compatibility with certain DVD players. So the search for the best DVD burner is still in effect in that area...but since I don't do 5.1 I can't tell you which one is good...I saw you posting on the Nuendo forums there James...lol
If you search on the Hardware side for a user named Shane you will see he did a post on that...
Opus

James, it is indeed a can of worms. As I understand it (which ain't much yet) an AC-3 mix, when played on a stereo reciever, somehow automatically "folds down" to stereo. I just read somewhere though, that the ".1" channel just goes away. There are definite recommendations on how to do the LFE channel so this isn't a problem, like just putting things in the full range channels and letting the "bass management" circuitry of the reciever separate the lower than 80 hZ stuff to the sub. Most people I've read about also do a separate stereo mix of any projects just to guarantee that things go where they intended.

There are less expensive softwares out there, MyDVD has a lite version that ships with some burners. As with anything, lite usually means "gee, I wish it could do..."

Right now, in my ignorance, if I were to get a burner it would be the Pioneer DVR-A04. Every single review/shootout I've seen claims that the "-RW" burners are much more compatible with consumer "set-top boxes" than the "+RW types such as the Panasonic. The pioneer is available in external firewire as well as internal IDE. Prices on the net are below $300 on the IDE version, and about $100 more for Firewire.

I've got a couple of heavy duty books on the 5.1 thing, but haven't had enough time yet to more than brouse them. If you're a masochist, check out Tomlinson Holman's "Up and running in 5.1 surround" title at Amazon. (The TH in THX stands for his initials)

CD players won't play a DVD, the lasers are different in order to get the density necessary for that much storage on the same size disk.

"This microscopic bit of near-wisdom brought to you by..." Steve

I saw you posting on the Nuendo forums there James...lol

Yeah...I hang out there sometimes even though I don't use Nuendo, there is a lot to be learned from the folks that hang out there...Someday, when I grow up, I hope to be using Nuendo!!! Now however, it looks like SX is the platform to be hanging with. When Nuendo 2.0 arrives, I'll have to seriously rethink my strategy.

As far as surround sound goes...I am not really seriously thinking about doing anything there...*yet*! I am just trying to prepare myself to start thinking along those lines...I certainly won't be mixing any of my songs that way for a while...