Help with H.264 questions, Choosing format for mastering, etc.

[RainMotorsports]

I need help deciding a couple of things and one of the more urgent matters has been my choice in a master format for incoming video's where I do not have the room to store the raw footage. Especially with the current prices of hard drives.

My sources for most of the work I did, am doing, will be doing are as follows: Game footage recorded by fraps, footage recorded with my old MiniDV cam, Footage from dSLR (Believe the Pentax K-r I am using for the moment is motion jpeg) and cellphone.

My export and storage needs are as follows: I need to be able to store the original stuff from things like Fraps, dSLR and MiniDV in a smaller format right away and wish todo so at the best quality possible while possibly using something that can be exported without re encoding. Youtube is the main place I might stick something not burnt to DVD or Bluray the rest is all for future storage.


H.264 has peaked my interest. Encoded properly its playable by most Bluray players and its widely supported. Some of my future devices (looking for a cheap 1080p camera these days) will probably encode in it. I need to find software that will can output without reencoding if for the scenario that is possible. Such as mixing some low bitrate footage from one source with better footage with the better footage matching my export settings etc.

I am trialing Adobe Premiere Pro right now along with after effects. It's very possible I would buy the Production Premium suite for its value but I might be looking at something else short term. I am also looking at Vegas Movie Studio HD as one of the lower end options as well as Vegas Pro which for the money I mind as well buy the adobe suite. I am a current user of Pinnacle Studio 12 and I havent even used that in ages but I am very tired of it.

So I am looking for help in choosing software that can mux compatible footage as part of the export process. Looking for Ideal master settings for exporting H.264 that is compatible with bluray but can be turned around and used again, uploaded to youtube or just played on the pc. (I tried exporting H.264 bluray from Premiere and couldnt even play it in WM compared to the H.264 settings).

EDIT TO ADD: Most of my game source is 60 fps and I understand it will have to be reencoded when outputting to 30fps projects. This affects decisions in initial master storage so I wanted to mention it. The 60 fps is easier to capture and also allows for better slowmo effects later.