SurCode MLP from Minnetoka is an easy to use encoding system, designed to compress high-resolution audio with bit-for-bit accuracy, utilizing Meridian Lossless Packing (MLP). Unlike the perceptual, or lossy audio date reduction systems used in DVD-Video authoring (Dolby Digital, DTS), MLP guarantees not to alter the final decoded signal in any way.
There are two main benefits to MLP encoding. The first are minimizes the size of the compressed file, allowing a larger amount of audio to be stored on the DVD-A disc. The second allows for reducing the maximum instantaneous peak data rate. This is needed to get the 13.82Mbps data rate of six channel surround 24 bit/96kHz PCM audio under the 9.6Mbps limitation of DVD.
ReBit (Bit Depth Reduction), an exclusive feature only found in the SurCode's MLP encoder, allows for an "in-software" solution for the rare and extreme case where the MLP process cannot pack the original data into the 9.6Mbps specification and remain lossless. In this case, ReBit will reduce some of the least important bits from the LFE channel and the Ls/Rs channels to bring the data within spec, without adversely affecting the total audio output.