Help Please- multiple AVCHD to DVD

[Lilygrace]

Hi all

I have approx 20 AVCHD video clips taken with my sony hx5. What I would like to do is to join them together & encode them to a DVD compliant format (so I can then share them on DVD) I will keep the original quality clips for future.

Does "batch encoding" mean encoding multiple clips all at the same time?

I do have Sony PMB which I haven't installed yet, would this do what I want? or is there better software to do it?

Any advice/tips greatly appreciated.

Regards

Lily

[Baldrick]

I don't know anything about the sony pmb. But you could use ConvertXtoDVD and add all m2ts clips to same video track. Or if you want a free solution, try join all m2ts files with tsmuxer. Convert to a dvd with a free tools like avstodvd.

[Case]

I have approx 20 AVCHD video clips taken with my sony hx5. What I would like to do is to join them together & encode them to a DVD compliant format (so I can then share them on DVD) I will keep the original quality clips for future.

Does "batch encoding" mean encoding multiple clips all at the same time?

No, batch encoding means setting up a queue of conversions to be done one after another, so you can walk away until they're all done.

I do have Sony PMB which I haven't installed yet, would this do what I want?

As I understand it, Picture Motion Browser is just a browser; an interface to look through all your image and video assets.

or is there better software to do it?

You could join the clips in a video editor, or with an AVCHD joiner app, or you could just convert/author a DVD with continuous play enabled.
What do you normally use to make DVD-Video from AVCHD footage?

[yoda313]

I think the easiest approach since they are already avchd is to use the freeware multiavchd. It can create a menu however you like and can create a sd dvd for you (standard definition). Than you can use the freeware burner imgburn to burn the video_ts folder (multiavchd may let you integrate imgburn into the process all in one step - I'm not sure on that).

If you have a bluray player, playstation 3, or a modestly powerful computer (dual core or better) you can use multiavchd to create avchd dvdrs that will retain your hd. As long as it fits a single layer or dual layer dvdr you can keep the hd intact (but only playable on bluray players or computers not regular dvd players).

If its larger than a single or dual layer dvdr you can either split it, reencode it to a lower bitrate or put it on a harddrive and use a portable media player like the wdtv media player that can read high def video files off a harddrive.

[Lilygrace]

Thanks very much for the replies

I don't have a blue ray player (yet) My laptop has a Athlon X2 64, 4GB ram, 320HDD & Vista.

What do you normally use to make DVD-Video from AVCHD footage?

This is the first time I've ever used/taken any AVCHD format video & so I'm only just getting my head around it. I'm going to try the app's Yoda has suggested, I thought I might just put a transition between the separate clips & hopefully make it play as one video from start to end?

So, "batch encoding"- I can line all my clips up in a cue & just let the software encode them one after the other 'till they're all done?

Best regards & thanks for your patience

Lily

[Baldrick]

I think the easiest approach since they are already avchd is to use the freeware multiavchd. It can create a menu however you like and can create a sd dvd for you (standard definition). Than you can use the freeware burner imgburn to burn the video_ts folder (multiavchd may let you integrate imgburn into the process all in one step - I'm not sure on that)..

I have missed that feature in multiavchd. Adding multiavchd to video encoders(dvd) and authoring(dvd) in the tools sections.

[Lilygrace]

Ive just looked at multiavchd & to be honest it looks a bit complicated

[Lilygrace]

Is there anything a bit simpler?

Regards

Lily

[yoda313]

Is there anything a bit simpler?

Regards

Lily

I don't think there is in the freebie market.

You could try avstodvd. I know it accepts m2ts from bluray to make regular dvds. I don't remember what you said your file format was. If avstodvd accepts it without complaining you can make a pretty basic dvd from it. Than you can import that into a more sophisticated dvd authoring app to make your layout how you like.

Now apologies to avstodvd if it does indeed have a more robust dvd authoring side to it than I am remembering. I have used it a few times for conversions but I usually use other apps for final authoring.

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@baldrick - always glad to help

[Lilygrace]

Is there anything a bit simpler?

Regards

Lily

I don't think there is in the freebie market.

You could try avstodvd. I know it accepts m2ts from bluray to make regular dvds. I don't remember what you said your file format was. If avstodvd accepts it without complaining you can make a pretty basic dvd from it. Than you can import that into a more sophisticated dvd authoring app to make your layout how you like.

Now apologies to avstodvd if it does indeed have a more robust dvd authoring side to it than I am remembering. I have used it a few times for conversions but I usually use other apps for final authoring.

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@baldrick - always glad to help

Thanks very much Yoda

My file format AVCHD 1080i (taken with sony dsc hx5v) & I just want to encode to SD DVD for ease of sharing But obviously I would like to do this & have the resulting footage be as good as possible even though it'll be SD.

I'll take a look at that software thanks. To be honest, I don't mind paying for the right one, it just seems there are so many to chose from!

I looked at TMPGenc movie style which seemed to be aimed at a novice like myself & might download a trial version. What do you think of this app'?

Best regards

Lily

[yoda313]

I don't think I've used that particular set from tmpgenc. However I have used other applications from tmpgenc and they are quite good. They usually have a simple mode and a complex mode for more advanced users. It would be worth a look.