DV Info Net - DVD audio encoding

I've been authoring DVDs for several years and have upgraded my hardware and software at every opportunity. I wish someone could explain to me why the audio on my DVDs always sounds lousy when played through the set-top player and TV, though not on the computer.

I've come to the conclusion that the degradation or less than optimal settings takes place during the encoding process, because I use good quality pro mics with my camera, and in the case of studio recordings a Sennheiser ME66, mixer and good soundcard to record narration. My source audio for background music is either CDs or Smartsound tracks. It all sounds great on my headphones when played from the Avid Liquid timeline through the soundcard of the computer; or if I dump the timeline to tape and plug my headphones into the camera, it sounds equally good.

But then I encode a disc, put it in my set-top player and ohh the pain! Though it does sound better on better quality home entertainment systems. .

I know it's not simply a matter of my cheap DVD player and cheap TV's audio circuitry and speakers, because store bought DVDs and television broadcasts sound far superior. So I've concluded that there is a lot more to encoding audio for professional quality DVDs for the mass market, than meets the eye.

If what it takes is a whole lot more knowledge and professional encoding software (or hardware) that costs thousands of dollars, I can live with that. I just want to know.