Will AVCHD capture quality improve?

[twalkman]

I know that the tools are trying to catch up with the new format & that a further improvement in computer hardware will help with the editing process.

But what I'm trying to understand is whether the AVCHD files captured by current camcorders are as good as they will ever be because they are at the limit of the compression algorithm. Or if the raw AVCHD files will be better in a year or two when the camcorders can output them at a higher bitrate, etc.

[edDV]

I know that the tools are trying to catch up with the new format & that a further improvement in computer hardware will help with the editing process.

But what I'm trying to understand is whether the AVCHD files captured by current camcorders are as good as they will ever be because they are at the limit of the compression algorithm. Or if the raw AVCHD files will be better in a year or two when the camcorders can output them at a higher bitrate, etc.

The latter. A higher bitrate prosumer variation is in the works. Also chipsets and cameras will continue to improve.

The current AVCHD format allows up to 25Mb/s but consumer models currently max at 15Mb/s. H.264 as a format is in the early stages of development.