help - which camcorder format to get (+ AVCHD query)?

[shuffle2uk]

Hi

Hopefully this is the right forum....just looking for a bit of help chaps!!

I previously owned a Canon HV20, which I captured with P/Pro. Was all well and good, but had to sell for various reasons. I'm now in the market for a new HD camcorder, but cannot decide which recording format to get....

I need an HD camcorder which can transfer to a non-firewire PC (thus ruling out HDV I think), so was looking into a flash camcorder (not keen on HDD cams). However, I need to create an SD DVD for a particular project which is playable in a standard DVD player.

Therefore my query(s) is this: if I buy a AVCHD HD flash camcorder, and record the project in HD, can I transfer the AVCHD HD file to a SD DVD that will play in a normal DVD player? If so, which software would do the trick, and how straightforward would it be (bear in mind P/Pro and AE was too confusing for me!)? I'm aware you can reduce the resolution to SD, but would the AVCHD pose a problem?

cheers
D

[edDV]

Hi

Hopefully this is the right forum....just looking for a bit of help chaps!!

I previously owned a Canon HV20, which I captured with P/Pro. Was all well and good, but had to sell for various reasons. I'm now in the market for a new HD camcorder, but cannot decide which recording format to get....

I need an HD camcorder which can transfer to a non-firewire PC (thus ruling out HDV I think), so was looking into a flash camcorder (not keen on HDD cams). However, I need to create an SD DVD for a particular project which is playable in a standard DVD player.

Therefore my query(s) is this: if I buy a AVCHD HD flash camcorder, and record the project in HD, can I transfer the AVCHD HD file to a SD DVD that will play in a normal DVD player? If so, which software would do the trick, and how straightforward would it be (bear in mind P/Pro and AE was too confusing for me!)? I'm aware you can reduce the resolution to SD, but would the AVCHD pose a problem?

cheers
D

Are your computer specs correct?

2GHz, 4GB RAM?

You can shoot SD h.264 with some models. Down conversion of HD AVCHD will be compute intensive.

I suggest you obtain an AVCHD h.264 sample and then evaluate software starting with your P/Pro CS3 or CS4. Most would want to go the Cineform Neoscene digital intermediate route.
http://www.cineform.com/neoscene/features.php

[a1677c]

I can’t answer all of your questions but since I have used the Canon Vixia HF100 I’d highly recommend it. Just don’t buy a Samsung BD-p3600 to play back your AVCHD.

[Soopafresh]

Intermediate codec as Ed suggested and/or a pretty fast computer.

Vegas Movie Studio Platinum is pretty easy to edit with and cheap. http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/products/vegasfamily.asp

If you just want to convert the raw AVCHD files to DVD Mpeg2 you can use ConvertXtoDVD