Best way to edit .m2t files to yield the best possible quality is?

[Canon GL-2 Guy]

Hi Everybody,

I borrowed a Canon Vixia HV30 for a couple days which is entirely new to me. Used HDV Splitter to transfer the footage into the computer in scene detection mode. The next step is to fine tune and chop off the unwanted parts at the beginning and end of each clip/scene. What is the simplest and most self explanatory tool to do some basic slicing and dicing?

2) What are the differences between an .m2t (HD) and an MPEG-2 (SD) file?

Is one more compressed than the other?
Does one look better than the other?
Is only the “wrapper” around the video different?
Do you reccomend I convert to an avi file for ease of processing & editing purposes?

With the goal being to get the highest possible product achievable, am I better off to edit

1) A .m2t file on the timeline if the editing program is capable of it or:
2) To 1st demux the .m2t file to a .mpa and a m2v. file which can then in turn be turned into an .avi file? If that's the case what do you all suggest I use to end up with an .avi file?

Anotherwords, would better results be obtained if I did the editing from an .avi file like I’m used to or in some other manner considering the format under discussion?

Also, in mini-dv ( SD) mode, in you opinion will the quality of the video be better in the HV30 or a Canon GL-2 which I have used for a long time? Has current technology improved the price to performance ratio in Canon SD camcorders as the GL-2 is still close to 2K as opposed to the VIXIA can be acquired for $600!

Looking to be educated and know what I should be doing and in what direction I should be heading in fairly short order. Hope the above made some sense.

Thanks for any pointers offered.

Bruce

[edDV]

Hi Everybody,

I borrowed a Canon Vixia HV30 for a couple days which is entirely new to me. Used HDV Splitter to transfer the footage into the computer in scene detection mode. The next step is to fine tune and chop off the unwanted parts at the beginning and end of each clip/scene. What is the simplest and most self explanatory tool to do some basic slicing and dicing?

I'll punt on this. So many options. I use Vegas Pro 8.

2) What are the differences between an .m2t (HD) and an MPEG-2 (SD) file?

The HV30 records in HDV format which is MPeg2 and is stored in a *.m2t container. HDV format is 8 bit, 1440x1080i and has a fixed 25Mb/s bit rate. As such it resembles DV format data structure during recording to tape or transfer to PC.

MPEG-2 (SD) has a different resolution and usually a different bit rate.

Is one more compressed than the other?

That depends on the bit rate being used. You gave no specs for your "MPEG-2 (SD)". If DVD standard see https://www.videohelp.com/dvd

Does one look better than the other?

1440x1080i HDV has higher resolution than 720x480i DVD MPeg2. Other factors are similar.

Is only the “wrapper” around the video different?

No.

Do you reccomend I convert to an avi file for ease of processing & editing purposes?

AVI file can mean many things. If you mean DV-AVI, that is an option if the goal is a DVD.
If you mean uncompressed AVI, that is also an option but not necessary. It depends on the goals for the project.
Many pros will convert to a digital intermediate format (remove MPeg GOPS) such as Cineform for better timeline performance and better filtering/scaling.
http://www.cineform.com/neoscene/
http://www.cineform.com/pdfs/Workflow_Overview_0904_1.pdf

With the goal being to get the highest possible product achievable, am I better off to edit

1) A .m2t file on the timeline if the editing program is capable of it or:
2) To 1st demux the .m2t file to a .mpa and a m2v. file which can then in turn be turned into an .avi file? If that's the case what do you all suggest I use to end up with an .avi file?

Anotherwords, would better results be obtained if I did the editing from an .avi file like I’m used to or in some other manner considering the format under discussion?

You are asking for "quality" but haven't stated a goal for distribution. Strategies vary by end goal.

If you mean convert to an SD DV-AVI file, that is an option.

Normally one would want to retain high resolution. HDV can be edited natively using an editor like Vegas Pro, converted to a digital intermediate format, decompressed or downsized to DV or DVD MPeg2.

Also, in mini-dv ( SD) mode, in you opinion will the quality of the video be better in the HV30 or a Canon GL-2 which I have used for a long time? Has current technology improved the price to performance ratio in Canon SD camcorders as the GL-2 is still close to 2K as opposed to the VIXIA can be acquired for $600!

The GL2 should have better optics performance (more light gathering through larger lens) and has 3CCD sensors which may deliver more accurate color. One would need to test side by side for low light performance and signal to noise under various lighting scenarios. In general, the HV30 in DV mode will offer comparable performance other than optics-sensor issues.