New Camera and i don't know where to start

[Recusant]

Hi, I recently purchased a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 (PAL - AUS) to replace our older digital camera and the the DV-AVI video camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz200/2

It can record in MP4 and AVCHD.

I don't know where to begin with importing, editing and exporting the video formats. For my DV-AVI, i did simple editing in Windows Move Maker (v6 - which exported in DV-AVI format without processing/compression).

I prefer higher quality, and the ability to edit without losing quality.

I had a quick look at a test AVCHD recording and the file structure, i'm guessing, was BluRay. I have zero experience with BluRay, but i have a little experience with DVD authoring, video compression and MKV files.

I don't use physical media much and would prefer individual files that i can then make into DVDs/BluRays at a later time if i wished.

Where should i start?

Thanks

[aedipuss]

it shoots normal avc/mp4. record to your sd memory card. remove card and use a card reader on the computer to import to the hard drive. use an editor to make changes. you will most likely want to get something like vegas movie studio for working in HD.

[Recusant]

Thanks Aedipuss. I don't do anything remotely like professional editing, so the $100 asking price is a bit much.

I found this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_editing_software

But what i'd like to know for starters is:
- Should i use the AVCHD or MP4?
- Would all/most/some programs 'convert' the AVCHD to a single file and then that file can be edited in more or less whatever?
- Should the AVCHD file be edited in it's (Bluray?) folder structure and that structure be maintained?

[smrpix]

I don't do anything remotely like professional editing, so the $100 asking price is a bit much.

The Movie Studio version is $50 at Amazon now. Grab it. You just bought a $600 camera.

It's like buying a car and refusing to get tires.

A proper NLE also moots most of your technical questions. It will just work.

[smrpix]

Actually, it looks like panasonic has software that comes with it. Fun Studio. Download a trial of Vegas and compare the two.

[Recusant]

You just bought a $600 camera.

It's like buying a car and refusing to get tires.

Not really, it's more like buying a car and not buying $3000 rally tyres to put on it when i'm not rallying in it. All i want to so is trim the files, stick them together (where applicable) and put $2 titles on them. I'm not editing Star Wars... btw, if i was, Han would STILL shoot Gredo like the original!

But i will think about looking at the trial of Vegas and compare it to the unintuitive software that came with it.

Any other suggestions?

A proper NLE also moots most of your technical questions. It will just work.

What is an "NLE"?

[smrpix]

But i will think about looking at the trial of Vegas and compare it to the unintuitive software that came with it.

What is an "NLE"?

If you think the panasonic software is unintuitive, wait till you try the free stuff. Two of us have given you the Vegas suggestion with all good will, but no one's forcing you.

As for an NLE, don't you get google?

[Recusant]

Yeah thanks.

Employees of Sony or paid to recommend that product, or is it the easiest?

[Steve(MS)]

Yeah thanks.

Employees of Sony or paid to recommend that product, or is it the easiest?

No, they are not tied in any way to Sony.
This forum gets questions like yours all the time with how to deal with video from digital video camcorders.
The simple truth is the files from these cameras are not easy to deal with on freeware software converters and editors.

Of course you are free to try all the software listed on this site and perhaps will be able to find something that works.
If you do, be sure to reply back and let us know since in the past, we haven't seen any claiming they have found good solutions.