Best way to create HD files ?

[pmugghc]

I've used a Sony DVD505 CAM before, which made mini DVDs, then I ripped into AVI files with DVDFab (by chapter), then edited using Pinnacle 12.

Now I'd like to move on to HD, so I've got a Sony CX550 and Pinnacle 14 HD. I would like to create HD files (not Blue-Ray disks) to play in Win Media Center.

Here are my questions:
1) I thought I'd see MKV in Pinnacle as the H.264 container, but I can't find it. What container is best to use ?
2) In Pinnacle they have what they just call MPEG4 which produces a MP4 file, but I can't see any option for 5.1 sound, just MP3 stereo up to 192kbps. How can you get 5.1 sound in a file to be played by Media Center ?

So what's the way to go if you'd like to have HD with 5.1 sound in files instead of disks ?

Thanks

[guns1inger]

If you are going down the H.264 route then MP4 or M2TS are probably the simplest containers. MP4 has the most support, but is more limited (i.e. not everyone supports AC3 audio in the MP4 container yet, for example). AAC can handle 5.1 channels, but most amps don't support it.

[pmugghc]

OK, thanks. The videos from the Sony CX550 come in the M2TS container, but how can I get Pinnacle to generate files (after editing) in that container ? ?

[edDV]

OK, thanks. The videos from the Sony CX550 come in the M2TS container, but how can I get Pinnacle to generate files (after editing) in that container ? ?

Do they offer a "Blu-Ray" h.264 export?