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2nd May 2009, 00:13 | #1 | Link |
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Good format for encoding AVCHD
My new Panasonic camcorder records in AVCHD format. I use Pinnacle 12 for editing.
I'm wondering what is the appropriate format to export my finished movies in for high definition quality? I don't have a Blu-Ray drive at this point, but I would like to export a high def copy for archiving in the event I get a blu-ray drive. In addition I'll export in mpeg-2 for DVD-video burning. My options seem to be either mpeg-4 or a variety of mpeg-2 HD codecs. Last edited by Guest; 2nd May 2009 at 00:23. Reason: rule 12 |
2nd May 2009, 00:30 | #3 | Link |
Derek Prestegard IRL
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If you want to export to DVD, then by all means use a good MPEG-2 encoder. There's lots of excellent options, my personal favorite is the free HC encoder. It's fantastic!
If you are wanting to make AVCHD DVDs (aka HD video on a DVD5 or DVD9), then you should probably either leave them as-is per neuron2's suggestion, or possibly re-encode using x264 if anything. I couldn't suggest any other H.264 encoder, as they've all been unimpressive to me ~MiSfit
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2nd May 2009, 01:07 | #4 | Link |
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Pinnacle doesn't have an export to AVCHD function. But I'm not entirely clear on the relationship between MP-4 and AVCHD. When I create files for burning to dvd I export files in mpeg-2 DVD compatible, so I can create a DVD-video using whatever application. If I export it as anything else than I need to use something like Convert XtoDVD and obviously producing transcodes in the process. I'm assuming (and of course I may be wrong) that there is a specific format for burning blu-ray discs that would play in a standalone blu-ray machine. Again, since I burn DVD-video I must export in Mpeg-2, but to avoid the need for transcoding in the future, I want to export in a blu-ray ready format. |
2nd May 2009, 20:43 | #7 | Link |
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Well I have done that, but the documentation presupposes a level of technical knowledge I don't have.
I'm asking what I think is a relatively straightforward question: I import AVCHD files into Pinnacle 12. I do my video editing. I then export my files in various different formats for different purposes, including mpeg-2 to burn to DVD. Now that I have an AVCHD camcorder, I would like to export my movies in a blu-ray ready format for (at present) archiving. I do not know what format that would be. For high definition encoding, Pinnacle offers Mpeg-4 Mpeg-2 and Divx. So which format is the ideal one to preserve the highest quality for later use in burning blu-ray discs? |
3rd May 2009, 01:48 | #9 | Link | |
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Quote:
So I guess my question is - if one wanted to create a blu-ray disc playable in a blu-ray player hooked up to a TV what format should the source files be? Like a DVD-video's files would be in mpeg-2. |
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3rd May 2009, 10:25 | #11 | Link | |
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Quote:
If Pinnacle doesn't support exporting a Blu-ray structure or as AVCHD (which the Blu-ray players support), you'll probably need to re-encode with some other tool. In this case it is best to keep the intermediate video lossless or encode at very high quality, if possible. |
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3rd May 2009, 13:33 | #13 | Link |
Life's clearer in 4K UHD
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As far as I know, Panasonic AVCHD camcorders come bundled with an editing application called "Easy HD". Have you tried it?
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3rd May 2009, 15:58 | #14 | Link | |
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Quote:
I haven't yet. The software that comes with camcorders usually get bad reviews. But I guess it will be worth checking out. The thing is though, that still wouldn't solve the issue if I want to use Pinnacle for my editing. |
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4th May 2009, 04:38 | #15 | Link |
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Maybe it's time to switch to a decent editor
Kinda what is being implied here :P To keep the best possible quality, you will want to export it to H.264 (or AVCHD) straight from Pinnacle (but Pinnacle won't have that option) ... so welcome to the dilema ... As pointed out, options are persist with Pinnacle and lose quality on your source, or switch to something better that will retain the quality of the source via H.264 or AVCHD export ... Tek |
4th May 2009, 12:13 | #16 | Link | |
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Quote:
Aobe Premiere Elements doesn't have an H.264 or AVCHD export option either. |
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1080i, avchd, pinnacle |
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