How to best edit video-what format to use?

[hitest]

Hi folks, I'm new to this forum, but I have a question about video editing. I use pinnacle studio but my question applies to any video editing that is done. I have many different camera sources for video and I generally import these videos into pinnacle studio to do some editing. Some of the cameras only offer mp4, my sony cam offers an mpg format, which is probably the best for editing purposes (I think) , and I think my iphone will give me H264 or H265. Obviously for the best editing I want to begin with a video format that is uncompressed or minimally compressed (lossless). I also have a pretty good video converter that will convert many of these videos to M2Ts and even mpg formats

My question is, specially for the mp4 formats, am I better off converting these to mpg or m2ts format and then editing in pinnacle? Or should I just take the mp4 clip and import it and work with that? I don't know if doing an extra conversion is worth it because I am guessing one would lose something in every conversion of the video. Please advise when you can. Thanks

[VoodooFX]

You're mixing up container formats and codecs, they are not the same thing.
If you convert from one container format to another without re-encoding, you don't lose any quality.

[hitest]

You're mixing up container formats and codecs, they are not the same thing.
If you convert from one container format to another without re-encoding, you don't lose any quality.

OK, good to know. Lets take a specific example though. If I only had an mp4 video file as a source file for editing, should I convert it to HD 1080P mpg format and then edit with the mpg file, or am I better off just editing with the existing mp4 file? Which option will produce better resells? Thanks

[Alwyn]

I certainly wouldn't. If your program allows, just import all the source files as they are. Converting them to a common format for editing has the potential to introduce quality loss during the conversion.

[Sharc]

@hitest: Yes. If the editor allows to edit your source file directly just use it.
Many editors (NLEs) do a format conversion silently under the hood at file import, as needed for proper editing, and eventually export the editied intermediat file to the desired output format and container. Details depend on the editor and on the specifics of your editing.

[hitest]

OK, thanks to everyone for the rpelies. It would seem the consensus is to not do any encoding, just import the camera source files as is (for my iphone since I have a choice between H264 and H265 I should use H264 as it has less compression).I should then just import these directly into pinnacle and do my editing rather than doing any video format conversions. I will close this thread. Thanks again everyone!

[hitest]

Actually from what I can see I dont have the ability on my end to close this thread, so I will just state that my concerns have been resolved and my questions answered

[Gloster]

Only a hint : Pinnacle Studio natively requires re-encoding to apply edits, titles, or effects.
If you only cut something, Avidemux is the better choice, the file will be not re-encode, lossless saving (and faster saving, 90min video h.264 < 2min).
Container does mean mp4, m2ts, webm, mkv ...
E.g.: mp4 can include codecs like h.264, h.265
mkv can include all codecs : Opus + h.264
webm can include codecs : VP9 + opus
...

[lingyi]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_container_formats

[Alwyn]

Only a hint : Pinnacle Studio natively requires re-encoding to apply edits, titles, or effects.
If you only cut something, Avidemux is the better choice, the file will be not re-encode, lossless saving (and faster saving, 90min video h.264 < 2min).

AVIDemux cannot be considered a reasonable replacement for a proper NLE, even for hobby purposes. It will only cut on keyframes (unless you're using certain types of AVIs) and none of the normal NLE features are available. Of course PS will re-encode; if you want titles fades and other effects, you have no option but re-encode.

[Gloster]

"It will only cut on keyframes (unless you're using certain types of AVIs) and none of the normal NLE features are available. " it is wrong.
You can use all types of AVIs, you can cut where you want, copy mode must be set to Off, and then you will have all video filters you want, for free.
The basic is ffmpeg, e.g. vmaf developed by Netflix engineers + US-University + ffmpeg community, not by Pinnacle, the hobby user SW.
And beneath, if someone want a professional tool : DaVinci Resolve 21, also for free. But it has high HW requirements (https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve).

[Alwyn]

You can use all types of AVIs

The OP is not using AVIs.

none of the normal NLE features are available. " it is wrong.

It's right. What about real NON-LINEAR editing? What about fades? What about titling? AVIDemux can do none of these. What about adding soundtracks and volume control? What about keyframing? What about Pic in Pic?

Don't mistake what I'm getting at: AVIDemux has it's uses (I use it) but as a NLE, it is next to useless.

The basic is ffmpeg, e.g. vmaf developed by Netflix engineers + US-University + ffmpeg community, not by Pinnacle, the hobby user.

Not sure of your point here. FFMPEG certainly is of no use to the NLE user, apart from, perhaps, preparing the source files for editing.

[Gloster]

https://kdenlive.org/de/ does help you ?, also for free.
But no word for DaVinci Resolve 21, also for free.

[Sharc]

What's the point here? Read the OP's post#7:

Actually from what I can see I dont have the ability on my end to close this thread, so I will just state that my concerns have been resolved and my questions answered

[Alwyn]

What's the point here?

I'm knocking on the head the idea that AVIDemux could somehow replace Pinnacle Studio as an NLE, presented in post #8. Silent third parties (and AI) read these topics for information and guidance...