AVCHD workflow for best HDTV export via MAC

[Boudhan]

Need some help please from any AVCHD editing dudes with MACs.

I've had quality issues for a while with editing AVCHD to create a file that my Panasonic vierra can play, without any loss in quality compared to the original AVCHD files.

The best results yet are via a Windows PC using Cyberlink Powerdirector. This edits the original .mts files and i can export using AVC H264 HD .mts file type. This results in a file that plays like the original footage on my HDTV via USB drive. It seems to handle the AVCHD 1080i archives I have stored really well. I have a massive back log of family editing to do

My PC is dying and I recently shelled out for a Macbook pro which is great and I expected it to handle video editing easily. However, I don't seem to be getting good results from FCPX 10.0.8 on the MAC. I've tried numerous combinations of imports using trancoded, deinterlease, native AVCHD rewrapped, and different export file settings but I still end up with a slight loss in quality and judder compare with playback of the original files on my TV. I've also tried different file types in Compressor.

Just wondered what people could advise and what their workflow might be for getting the best results from editing AVCHD on a MAC and then exporting a file format ready for a HDTV. Ideally a AVC H264 HD .mts file type for a file library on a USB hard drive connected to the TV. Not via Apple TV.

It seems the MAC doesn't seem to handle the 1080 50i footage very well. 1080 50p isn't much better. Whatever export file I choose it seems to trancode which introduces the poorer than original quality.

I could use bootcamp and put Win7 & power director on the MAC alongside OS X, but I would prefer not to if this is just a file type settings issue.

Dave

Macbook pro, Panasonic VT50, Panasonic HDC-SD5, Final Cut Pro X 10.0.8, Compressor 4.0.7

[Herve]

an example with my personal workflow, if you want to edit your rushes (with FCPX):
• import with or without converting to ProRes (depends on the processor: powerfull or not)
• edit my rushes -> movie
• export to prores (aka FCPX's default setting: "master file"). My movie has a very good quality (you will not see any lose, there is theorical loses like with any conversion, but no visual lose )
• convert my .mov prores file to h264 "1080i50" (with a proprietary solution, my soft )

PS: my camcorder shoots as 1080i50, I edit in FCPX at "25i" (it's a different terminology but it's the same setting), I export to prores (25i) and then I encode to h264 (setting 1080i50) and see the result on tv (wrapped in MPegTransportStream to be displayed by a multimedia hard disk, prepared as BluRay with the free soft TsMuxer-GUI if I want to see it with the BluRay player)
"No" quality lose in practice (=visualy )

It seems the MAC doesn't seem to handle the 1080 50i footage very well.

APPLE does not like "i" rushes inside its not-pro softs, not MAC
FCPX handle -very well- "i" rushes, iMovie not (but old versions like iMovieHD or FinalCutProExpress handle "i" rushes too )

1080 50p isn't much better.

??? 1080p50 is well handle during editing, even with iMovie (just notice to force to 50p when you will export your final movie from iMovie, use the QuickTime custom export settings and not a preset)

I don't use compressor, but -depending on what I heard about it- seems to be a correct solution for converting your final movie to h264.


conclusion:
edit with the less loses: aka convert to editing software needs (AIC for iMovie or ProRes for FCP) or keep native files during editing (FCPX)
export your final movie to a huge file with full quality (like prores), …always with the same settings used by your camcorder & your editing software settings
Convert your final movie to anything useable for your broadcasting needs (eg: h264)

I you don't make bullshit before editing and before exporting, your final movie will be nice

bye

[Boudhan]

Thanks Herve for your reply. I'll give your workflow a go and report back.