New to Site - Need Your Expert Advice For Editing Canon HF100 M2TS2

[dmfelger]

I have a lot of sports action video shot using a Canon HF100 in HD. The files are downloaded on to my PC using the software (ImageMixer 3SE) supplied with the camera.

I have access to both a PC (Pentium duo core 2.79 hz, 4GB Ram) and a Macbook. The software included with the camera doesn't allow to edit clips. The burned DVD's (non HD) are OK, but again, I can't edit out unwanted footage.

I can edit in I Movie (after re-burning the files back to the camera and then capturing on the Mac OR taking original files from camera SD card), but the burned DVD or upload to Youtube degrades the quality. Looks muddy.

The PC is old (2006 purchase) and looking to replace with quad core processor or Mac, but would rather not. I do need to produce DVD soon for college recruiting videos on DVD.

Any suggestions for software for either systems or other suggestions will be appreciated.

[dmfelger]

Think I found my answer. Comment if you care to.

"I forgot you were on a Mac when you started talking Premiere CS4.

First, some Mac facts...

iMovie does not edit native 1080i or 720p.

iMovie converts 1920x1080i to 960x540p 25fps on import. They do this to speed up the user experience on the lower speed Macs.

960x540p 25fps halves the motion samples causing high motion video to become somewhat jittered. For low motion film style shoots it is adequate. If the goal is DVD, output requires another downsize to 720x576. If the goal is 1080i or 720p HD, then the 960x540 needs upsizing. Upsizing is always a quality compromise.

For "advanced" editing iMovie has an option to capture to the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC) for use in Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Express. The AIC decodes AVCHD AVC MPeg to full resolution 1920x1080 frames with in-frame (intraframe) compression. The intraframe compression avoids the need for RAID which would be the case for full decompression. The AIC is only useful for Final Cut since it is proprietary to Apple.

Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 will capture and process native AVCHD. This sounds good but native AVCHD editing is extremely CPU intensive requiring a very fast desktop with quad core or more. A Macbook will be sluggish to unusable. Premiere Pro can also use digital intermediates for slower processors. I'm not sure if CS4 can use the AIC. The usual digital intermediate for Premiere CS4 is Cineform NeoScene ($129). They have a free demo."