Down-converting, decompressing before editing, and cooperative file types.

[Jimmyfro5]

Hello, can someone recommend the pre-decompressing steps? I remember training on sony vegas, and they recommended down-converting? and then restoring HD data to the source video after editing.
I've been using Roxio Video Wave for years. I like many of it's tools and tricks, but it has always been slowww, but Sony Movie STudio hung too. I use a 64bit Dell Inspirion with 12gig ram and dual core processor. Maybe it's more than just ensuring defragged available hard drive space or video card efficiency/capacity. Can anyone recommend the best file type for editing 1080 HD video? My sony captures AVCHD .mts video. I also use iphone .mov files and mix them in my production.
1. Should I pre-convert video to X format before editing?
2. Does anyone recommend down-converting or decompressing before editing, and then restoring HD video data after rendering?

Thanks in advance.

[Cornucopia]

Not quite sure what you're referring to, but it sounds like you mean "Proxy editing". This has been and (with 4k, etc) will continue to be a good way to get around sluggishness in your editing system compared to your material.

Regardless of any thoughts to the above, you really ought to convert ALL your VFR material to CFR (and this usually includes most phone recordings) prior to any editing.

Scott

[Jimmyfro5]

Thanks Scott
Can you recommend a good vfr cfr converter? I also would be so greatful if u could provide me easy steps to "proxy" edit. .mov to x and avchd 1980 x 1080 29fps to x. Step 1 covert .mov files to AVCHD? Your time would be appreciated.

jimmy

[smrpix]

You can always use Vegas to create the proxies. Just export your clips with an i-frame codec -- DV isn't a bad choice. But beware vfr as Scott says. You will have a nightmare matching back to vfr footage.