Help! How do I save my video in a high definition format

[macleoda]

I have recently acquired a Panasonic HD camcorder which records high-definition video and we can play it back on our TV in HD format (1080).

However I don't really understand "AVCHD" etc. we only use it to video the kids, but of course since we are recording HD format video I want to preserve it for the long term in the same quality. It's not clear what I need or how I do it:

- I can buy a DVD writer from Panasonic which is designed to plug directly into the side of the camcorder, I assume it records DVD format videos (which will play in a normal DVD player) - so I assume it loses the high definition?

- I could apparently load the videos into my computer. Apart from the massive file sizes, my computer only has a DVD writer so I assume I end up in the same place as the above option.

- It's not clear whether I need a Blu-ray disc writer to record and keep HD format video.

The whole thing is very confusing, even to an above-average technie. Anyone who can help? Thanks in advance. All I want is the simplest way of making a permanent recording of the high-definition video we have shot.

Alastair

[Baldrick]

How are you going to play it on your tv? You need a blu-ray player with avchd support or media center with avchd support or use your computer/htpc connected to the tv if you want to keep it in hd. Then can you "just" burn the avchd material on dvdrs and it should work.

[macleoda]

Baldrick

Thanks for coming back so quickly.

1) At home we have a Blu-ray player; it's a Panasonic DMP-BD10 which is a fairly early Blu-ray player and, from what I can see in the manual, does not appear to support AVCHD. However clearly it can play high-def movies:
...does this mean I need some sort of "conversion" technology to convert from AVCHD format to Blu-ray format?

2) Since we have only one Blu-ray player but several DVD players, and also since grandparents all have DVD but no Blu-ray, we need to be able to put the video clips on a recordable DVD format with high compatibility (even if the HD is lost).

3) For our OWN records we want to record the highest possible definition video, so that once the "original" (the camcorder memory and/or SD card) has gone, we have a permament record on a recorded disk we can re-play and which can be used to master future copies.

I think I am missing some understanding here; is AVCHD a "coding" format (i.e. a video sampling / coding technology), separate from the output format? Or is it a recording method? I am trying to picture the stack:

DIGITISED VIDEO -> Blu-ray? AVCHD?

RECORDING FORMAT -> Blu-ray?

PLAYBACK -> AVCHD? Blu-ray? 1080p?

For me, the ideal would be that we can copy from the camcorder onto either DVD, or Blu-ray disks, or onto to the computer... preserve the high-definition at the best possible quality in every case (even if this means DVD capacity is very low), then replay from either computer / recorded DVD / recorded Blu-ray disk onto whatever device is connected -> if it's an old-fashioned DVD player connected using SCART to an old TV, then you get basic normal-res PAL video at 625lines... -> if it's a brand-new Blu-ray player connected using HDMI to a brand-new 1080p television, then you get full 1080pixel high def video.

Hope this clarifies... thanks again in advance.

Alastair

[Cornucopia]

There are many types of codecs and formats, but they can be categorized into 3 groups: Recording/Capture, Storage/Editing, Distribution/Playback.

AVCHD is primarily a Recording/Capture codec/format. BluRay is primarily a Distribution/Playback format.

AVCHD uses AVC (aka h264) as its video codec. BluRay can use MPEG2, VC1, or AVC as its video codec. Therefore, the transfer from AVCHD to BluRay could be lossless and quick because of lack of need to reconvert to other codec (right now we're talking video only).

AVCHD and BluRay are primarily meant for HD material, but can support SD material. DVD-Video, otoh, only supports SD material. So if intend to make DVD-Video copies of your material, then YES, you would have to reconvert & lose info/quality in going down to SD. But you will have a standard, common format with which to exchange with friends/relatives. BTW, DVD-Video supports ONLY MPEG2 (and a subset of MPEG1) as video codecs.

BluRay and DVD standards also define the disc type and file structure. They use standard data discs, but AUTHORED in a particular way that makes them universally compatible.
You can burn BluRay or DVD data discs that aren't AUTHORED. This denies them their universality, but allows you to put WHATEVER you want on them (within space constraints).

Therefore, it would make sense to transfer your material to the computer (in as high quality mode as possible--see guides), edit if needed/desired. Then, make the following copies:
1. 1-to-1 copy of original material in original file format and codec burned as data disc onto BluRay (if you have a BR burner) or DVD, or other removeable storage medium. This will be your master/backup.
2. Repurposed AVCHD-to-BluRayCompatible media, authored and burned onto BluRay disc, or if that's unavailable AND your player(s) support it, onto DVD (but IN BLURAY format, as long as it fits sizewise). This will be your HD viewing medium.
3. Converted and authored SD-quality DVD-Videos for your friends/relatives. This will be your SD viewing medium.

HTH,
Scott