FDR parameters are mandatory (CFR 14 Part 121 Appendix M
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text....19.26.11.5.58) so are you in fact just selecting items for the Quick Access Recorder as part of your airline's Flight Operations Quality Assurance or maintenance program? All the "optional" items you quoted are all mandatory
AFAIK. The DFDAU drives both the FDR and QAR.