DVD Studio Pro: AC-3 (Dolby Digital) audio may not play back in HD DVD projects

Summary

An HD DVD authored in DVD Studio Pro 4.1 can contain Dolby Digital Professional AC-3 and DTS compressed audio files or uncompressed (linear PCM) audio files.
Compressor 2.1 allows you to encode Dolby Digital AC-3 audio files. You can encode audio assets, containing from 1 to 5.1 channels, using the Compressor batch and preset capabilities.

Symptom

If you have encoded your assets on an Intel-based Mac, you can import AC-3 audio assets into an HD DVD project, but the tracks may not play back after you build the HD DVD.
This issue does not occur in Standard Definition DVD projects or with AC-3 files encoded on a Power-PC based Mac.

Products affected

• DVD Studio Pro 4,1
• Compressor 2.1
• Final Cut Studio 5.1

Solution

If you are compressing your DVD assets on an Intel-based Mac, use Linear PCM audio in HD DVD projects.

This document will be updated as more information becomes available.