Audio tracks including environmental information are recorded on a DVD, or other playback medium using microphones, vibration sensors, or other devices that capture ambient sound from the original environment in which a performance, presentation or other sound is created. For example, environmental audio tracks can be obtained by placing microphones on the floor, ceiling and walls of an amphitheater during a pop music performance. Any object, item or surface can be a candidate from, or within, which to capture an ambient sound. Sounds can be obtained from sensors mounted to musicians, audience members, theater seats, various rooms within a building, etc. The environmental audio tracks (EATs) can be provided individually or mixed together with one or more other EATs, one or more standard recorded tracks, or otherwise mixed or combined with other sounds. Or the EATs can be processed, effected, etc., as desired. The original or modified EATs are then encoded onto a DVD (or other medium) so that a listener can selectively hear the EATs alone, or in combination with, other audio tracks on the DVD.