Best IQ possible for standard DVD disc from AVCDH Canon camera source

[littlebob]

Hi guys and gals,

I have a Canon HD 1080p which writes MTS files, I think they are AVCHD.

Editing is not important. I just want to re-encode the MTS files to the highest quality MPEG2 video possible for authoring standard DVD disk for distribution among friends and family for playback on standard DVD players. My idea was I could then write the MPEG2 to discs and author with Imgburn

To re-encode the MTS I was hoping for something as simple as handbrake which I use all the time to convert video from this camera to smaller-pixel videos for our mobile devices. I was thinking a similar free converter program for MPEG2 would be ideal. If not free, I could pay a little, but not like $100.

Please let me know if you have some advice to meet these requirements.

Thanks,
-Bob

[hech54]

The steps would be:
Convert to MPEG2
Author that MPEG2 footage to DVD with authoring software.
Burn the DVD with ImgBurn.

[edDV]

More detail needed on your camcorder model and recording format. Is it really 1080p? What frame rate and bit rate?

DVD is 720x480 with either 60i or 24p modes. Progressive video source will downsize well. Interlace source downsize is more complex especially if "best quality" is desired.

[yoda313]

For software I'd suggest avstodvd for the conversion and authoring of the dvd and burn with imgburn. (both freeware)

[littlebob]

Thanks yoda313. I will give it a try

Others: Camera is Canon HRF100, not true 1080p

[edDV]

Others: Camera is Canon HRF100, not true 1080p

I'll assume you are shooting 1080 60i (default).

There are two basic methods for downscale to 720x480p. Most software will first deinterlace 60i to 30p, then downsize, then re-interlace to 60i for DVD. Result is usually marginal quality ... far from the best.

The better method is to separate and resize fields independently, then re-interlace to 720x480 60i. This method preserves full motion and doesn't generate deinterlace artifacts. This can be done with Avisynth filters. Unfortunately most edit software uses the first method.