Delivering audio for DVD

[Jsalam112]

I have to do a stereo mix and a 5.1 mix to a DA-88.
I understand the 5.1 mix will be tracks 1-6 and the stereo will be tracks 7 &8.
Do I need to place any specific tones on the tape before either of these mixes?
If so what do you suggest?
Thanks

[froyo]

Hello. I suggest you ask whoever you are delivering to what they want. They may want stereo in 1&2 and the multichannel later. Also, you need to know what 5.1 configuration they want. Whether it's L,R,C, Ls, Rs, Sub or L, C, R, Sub, Ls, Rs, etc. Also, what are the final destinations? Are both for DVD? Or is the stereo for broadcast also? These things will determine what level you should deliver at.

Ask your client what they want and you will save yourself a headache.

Good luck.

[Jsalam112]

This is a copy of his instructions:

please provide the audio on a DA-88 with the 5.1 mix on tracks 1 to 6 (channel assignments well labelled!) and the stereo mix on 7 and 8.
The DVD level that I was talking about is with peaks reaching 0 dB instead of -20 dB (which is the standard broadcast level).

[Chief Technician]

I would not label your surround channels L, R, C, Ls, Rs, LFE. Instead, I would label them Left, Right, Center, Left Surround, Right Surround, Subwoofer. Anything less and your client might not get it (probably why the client wants it "well labeled").

I'm used to L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs, but as long as its documented it doesn't seem to matter how you lay them out in this case.

[Jsalam112]

Good idea.
Is it necessary to place a tone at the start of the tape to establish level calibration?
Might the fact that it is a digital format need not require any tones?

[Jsalam112]

There will be a 5.1 mix (tracks 1-6) and a stereo mix (tracks 7&8).
There is also a director's commentary that I will probably be in stereo on another tape tracks 1&2.
All will be encoded for DVD usage.