Flip Ultra HD video camera-convert HD to SD

[Mållgan]

I´m considering bying the videocamera Flip Ultra HD which uses the format HD. Is it hard to convert HD-files (avi, mpeg 4) to SD-files before editing the files in a computer program?

[guns1inger]

Short answer : No.

Long answer : Why ? Converting to SD to edit entails a re-encode. Editing and then outputting entails another re-encode. Every re-encode costs quality. You would be better off editing in HD, then outputting to whatever format you need afterwards.

The Flip records in 720p, not full 1080, so you should be able to edit it's files on your system without too many issues.

[Mållgan]

I´m editing with the program Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 and I dont think that this program accepts HD-input files but I am not sure.

[guns1inger]

I would seriously consider budgeting for something that will handle editing in HD, or you lose any benefit that comes from getting an HD camera. You will lose a lot of time and quality converting down to SD before you even get to edit anything.

[Mållgan]

OK. I have also Adobe Premiere Elements 4 which can handle HD. Thank you for your respons.

[mikeny]

I'm using TMPGEnc Xpress to edit my .mp4 clips from the Flip UltraHD and it works great! If I want to make a DVD, I encode to mpeg-2 with it and use Video Redo TV Suite to author.

[Mållgan]

I have just tried TMPGEncExpress but the encoding time seems to be very, very long. The program "Super" encodes much faster (creates avi-, mpeg2-files etc).

[Mållgan]

Is there a loss of quality if I use the SUPER-program to convert a MP4-file(853 kb) to an output mpeg-2-file (4,87 mb) or an output avi-file (2,68 mb)?