Combine AVCHD and MPEG4 and burn DVD

[hgotts]

This is my first post. I'm sure my issue has been discussed somewhere here and if someone can steer me in the right direction I will be most appreciative. I recently purchased a (refurbished) Sony HDR-VX380 camcorder to use for a vacation trip to Argentina. The camera was released about two years ago and shoots both 1080i, 1080p and MPEG4. I shot about two hours of video, roughly half MPEG4 and half AVCHD. Of the latter, I shot both 1080i and 1080p. Using Sony PlayMemories software I imported the video to my hard drive, where it presently sits. I would now like to combine the video clips into one or maybe several movies, preserving the chronological order in which they were taken. Thus I would like to combine both formats (m2ts and MPEG4) and, I assume, burn a DVD to be played on a blu-ray player. Can I do this without losing image quality? Does this mean I need to convert (lower quality) MPEG4 to (higher quality) AVCHD? Can someone recommend the software I need? Am I thinking on the right track? Thanks in advance for your help!

[smrpix]

You should probably stick with the brand and get Sony Vegas Movie Studio to edit with, probably the Platinum version which comes with DVD Architect. Sony's consumer level software is specifically designed to work with their cameras. There's a free trial period available.

You will lose some quality simply by editing and reencoding, but if you're working in 1080 and keep your bitrate up the losses won't be dramatic.

I'm assuming you meant you want to burn it to a Blu Ray disk, not a DVD. DVDs are standard definition only and you would lose considerable quality going that direction.

[Cornucopia]

You have AVCHD as a recording format, but you can also end up with AVCHD as an authored, distribution format. The MPEG4 files cannot be similarly authored without being re-encoded (though they can be distributed as-is alone, and be playable by some/many devices).

So your first order of business is to decide how you want to end up playing this:

1. Do you intend to create a standards-compliant BD (Blu-ray Disc) title on BD media?
   (requires a BD burner & BD drive/player)?
2. Do you intend to create a standards-compliant AVCHD title on BD media?
   (requires a BD burner & BD drive/player that also specifically supports AVCHD)?
3. Do you intend to create a standards-compliant AVCHD title on DVD media?
   (requires a BD/DVD burner & BD/DVD drive/player that also specifically supports AVCHD)?
4. Do you intend to create a standards-compliant DVD title on DVD media?
   (requires a BD/DVD burner & BD/DVD drive/player)?
5. Do you intend to create a bunch of files that play individually in various "media players"?

#4 is the most universal, but it is Standard Definition (SD) only, and does require converting ALL your assets to SD MPEG2 (either before or during authoring).

#3 vs. #2 usually only matters when you only have a DVD burner. But if your BD or DVD player doesn't support AVCHD, both options are out of the question.

#1 & #2 would give you the best quality - #1 being more universal than #2, but requiring BD authoring capability (usually costs more). #3 retains the HD resolution of #1 & #2, but has a more restricted bitrate ceiling. #1 has a much better bitrate ceiling than #2, but since ALL your material started out as AVCHD (or worse), you wouldn't really benefit from the ability to go above that ceiling.

#5 was just thrown in there. It didn't sound like what you wanted, but is left on the table so you can see the full range of options available to you. Output would likely be AVC video+AAC audio in MP4 or MKV container. WRT compatibility & quality, YMMV (greatly), so you should always test first. This is why standards-compliant authored media is preferable in the unpredictable world of Consumer Electronics.

Once you have clarified the workflow pathway option(s) you want to embark upon, we can much more clearly give you pointers. You might also want to give us indication of your budget & any timelines for these projects (including their expected overall length per title).

Scott

[hgotts]

Thank you Scott and smrpix for your detailed response. I don't mind spending $50 - $100 more or less for editing software, and if necessary a BD burner, but now I'm not sure my PC will support current software such as Sony Vegas Movie Maker. My PC has an Intel Core 2 duo, 2.4 Ghz, 2 Gig RAM, 500 Gig hard drives (2 x 250 Gig), and Windows Vista. The Movie Maker states min specs:

Minimum System Requirements:
Microsoft Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit or Windows 8 32-bit or 64-bit (including Windows 8.1) 2 GHz processor (multicore or multiprocessor CPU recommended for HD or stereoscopic 3D) 500 MB hard-disk space for program installation 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended) IEEE-1394DV card (for DV capture and print-to-tape)

In any case, I would certainly prefer the option to edit and publish on the Internet (YouTube, Facebook, etc.) rather than BD. Is that possible to do without sacrificing image quality? Can one post a movie lasting an hour more or less? Wouldn't it take forever to upload?
You see I really don't know where to start. I would rather not have to upgrade my PC, but I am certainly willing to buy editing software, at least to join together the movie clips (in different formats) and also to add audio soundtracks. I am not trying to develop a great expertise at this, just want to enjoy a hobby and hopefully post my vacation for friends and family to see before they have lost all their curiosity.
Again, I appreciate the time you have given me,
Harvey

[smrpix]

Vegas Movie Studio is probably the most elegant consumer NLE in terms of efficient use of computer resources. No harm in testing it out. TMPGenc Video Mastering Works may be another option, but it's more powerful as an encoder than an editor.

[Cornucopia]

Cyberlink Power Director Ultra is also a candidate. For $75USD, should do all of what you want, including DVD, BD, AVCHD authoring and exporting to Youtube, etc.

(I'm assuming your actual editing needs are pretty light/consumer-ish).

Scott