So long story short, I need to make an 5.1 AC3 for a local showing of a recent feature project. I don't have enough time to completely study up on the subject, but I'm picking up bits and pieces. I'm using Compressor 4 to create the AC3, and I got everything where I want as far as dialnorm, mixdown settings and DRC. But the only thing I can't change is the bite rate. It's stuck at 16 bit (AC3 Dolby Digital). I have a 5.1 book that I'm referring to, and it mentions bit reduction, LPCM vs MLP packaging, run time, DVD capabilities, etc. But it doesn't seem to directly address what's going on. Can someone explain this to me?
Also: - if I use MLP packaging can I create my AC3 at 24 bit? Does compressor have this feature? - I suspect I'm completely ignorant and it has to be burned at 16 bit for 5.1. In which case should I re-bounce the film using the proper dither vs letting Compressor make the change to the 24 bit 5.1 mix I have?
Thanks for any and all help guys. This is definitely a subject I'm going to learn extensively for the future.