5.1 Surround Sound recording equipment

I am wondering what camcorder will record to 5.1 surround sound, and what software do you suggest that will keep the audio in 5.1 for burning onto a DVD or Blu-Ray disc. If anyone knows can u please reply.

penguincentral.

[Amon37]

Any sony Hi-Def camcorder records sound in Dobly Digital 5.1

[highdefw]

All of the new sony hd handycams record in 5.1 surround sound. Transfering that audio my be a problem though.... Try sony vegas. I o know that NONE of the Apple applications kepp the surround sound. They all down-convert to stereo

[WickyWoo]

There's no point to it doing 5.1, you don't have 5 microphones placed at appropriate places wherever you're shooting.

[CptGreedle]

First off, films do not "record scenes in 5.1"... they mix the sounds later into 5.1. All the voices are recorded on separate tracks and the sound effects and environment are all separate. This lets them change sounds, add and remove sounds, do voice-overs, re-dub actors, etc.. and it lets them remix everything into 5.1
You do not want to do anything in 5.1 cause it would require a very expensive multi-directional microphone. If you want surround sound, you can actually use simple programs but I tend to use Final Cut Suite.. I am not sure if the express version has it.
It lets you mix surround sound tracks so you can put music and voices and environment, etc. where ever you want it!

[MouseRider]

Originally Posted by highdefw

All of the new sony hd handycams record in 5.1 surround sound. Transfering that audio my be a problem though.... Try sony vegas. I o know that NONE of the Apple applications kepp the surround sound. They all down-convert to stereo

If you have the right equipment, Final Cut Pro will keep and allow you to edit the 5.1 mix.

[Chevypower]

Yep, pros record all sound using mono shotgun mics like the Sennheiser MKH-416, then pan them to the appropriate channel. Usually voice is center channel, but sometimes not when it's apropriate to pan it. Music dubs can be mono center, or original stereo mix to the front, or converted to 5.1, or even remastered to 5.1 SFX will be mono but panned through the duration of it to make it sound like its coming and going.

Live recordings are a little different, like concerts. It's usually based on as if it's from a particular seat in the audience (in the center) with audience from behind that position (rear channels) main vocal center channel. and a mix from the music. Best to keep each channel reacorded separate, so you can mix it in post in 5.1 www.dolby.com has some pointers for this.

I believe Final Cut Pro is designed to do these manual pans in the creative 5.1 mix, not keep the auto 5.1 mix from the consumer camcorders.

Having said that, for what Penguincentral wants, get a Sony HDR-SR11, Sony Vegas and a Blu Ray burner if you are PC user. If you are a Mac user, get the HDR-SR11 camera, and wait for Apple to release their Blu Ray macs with iMovie and iDVD