AVCHD to MPEG2 Encoding Visual Comparisons

[Soopafresh]

Had a chance to test out the TmpgencXpress v4 encoder, which supports AVCHD conversion to Mpeg2. Overall, it was a pretty painless method of making a "normal" video. I liked it. If you have the $, it is worth a look.

Used this greyhound dog file as the source (85MB)

https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/rtknapp/00003.MTS

Here's the result with the $80 TmpgencXpress (45MB 720x480 Mpeg2)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/r0nwhg

Here's the result using the $20 CoreAVC, Avisynth, and the free HC Encoder (45MB 720x480 Mpeg2)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/r7l4q8


Visually, they are going to look slightly different due to different deinterlacers and using the fluxsmooth noise reduction filter in Avisynth.

Xpress Frame 1310

xpress-1310.png

HC_ENC Frame 1310

hc-1310.png

[jagabo]

What are you using to open the AVCHD (with PAFF) file in AVISynth? I have CoreAVC and can open the file in mplayerc but not in AVISynth. DirectShowSource() didn't work. I couldn't open the file in DGIndex to crate a d2v file.

The results look sharp and relatively artifact free but does TMPGEncXpress always deinterlace?

[Soopafresh]

The results look sharp and relatively artifact free but does TMPGEncXpress always deinterlace?

No, you can turn off deinterlacing if you wish. Just a checkbox.

You absolutely need Haali media splitter installed for Directshowsource to work with CoreAVC. And coreAVC must be v1.2 or later.

[jagabo]

You absolutely need Haali media splitter installed

Thanks. I had Haali Media Splitter but it was and old version. After updating to the latest version I was able to open the MTS file with DirectShowSource(), WMP, etc.

[ran007]

Soopafresh,

I notice you have TMPG 4 XPress - so do I, and I love it for the fact it transcodes, encodes anything - but I'm having hell trying to open the MTS files from my new Panasonic SD1.

You mention 'CoreAVC' and 'Haali media splitter'... Is that something I need installed?

I really appreciate your help!

[jagabo]

Yes, Halli includes an MPEG transport stream splitter that will allow any program that uses DirectShow to open your MTS files. Then CoreAVC can handle the PAFF encoding that your camcorder uses.

[Soopafresh]

CoreAVC is going to be hard to find. Look at v1.81 of Quicktime Alternative.

[Soopafresh]

Just tested out a new app from Elecard which converts your AVCHD file to Standard Def DV. Only $35, but NOT good (yet). The resulting file was smudgy and artifact filled. They're a good company-hopefully the later versions will be better.