AVCHD workflow (Panasonic HDC-SD1)

[markk655]

To make it easier for me (and others), I am collating some links to other VS11 threads. I am concentrating on the AVCHD threads but will have an emphasis on the Panasonic HDC-SD1 camcorder workflow. There are a number of us struggling to get everything right....

Importing
VS11+ Importing AVCHD Video This includes a handy step-by-step process to get the AVCHD files into AVCHD

Importing Panasonic HDC-SD1 .MTS files. Here it says that you can use the mts files (as long as you have the associated .cpi files as well). Interesting as this implies that you don't need to use the Panasonic download software.

HDR-SR1, AVCHD Here I learned that m2ts is not a BluRay format. I wonder if VS11 reads mts files better than mts? Would the mts files be read properly by VS? Need to try that one....

Support for AVCHD import and the DD5.1 Soundtrack in VS11+?
. Unlike some other vendor's software VS11+ supports DD5.1 in AVCHD files

Editing
AVCHD in UVS If you have smart proxy enabled when importing the AVCHD clips, the smartproxy files are automaticlaly generated

VideoStudio11 - AVCHD Performace issues. I got around those with the se of MSart proxy and stopping Norton Security from running in the background.

Performance of VS11+ Here there is discussion about to create the HD mpeg file.

Burning
How can I burn my avchd files to hddvd and watch on xbox 360
. Not just for XBox users....etech6355 (the moderator) suggets converting AVCHD files into HD mpegs for editing. Here he also posts a number of links to describe the process.

Exporting
Exporting avchd video to wmv-hd

Use of interlace in wmv for avchd imported content More interlacing issues...Here is one problem that I also VS11 doesn't appear to fully recognize the type of interlacing from my imported files (I have been using m2ts files from the Panasonic download program)

Progressive encoding? Ghosting and interlacing effects (still unsolved)

Quality Problem with AVCHD import and encode from Panny SD1
An issu with ghosting. etech6355 suggests the following:

First when starting VS setup your preferences & the working directory.
In the Preferences screen -> Edit tab -> Resampling Quality = BEST, General TAB -> "Show Message when inserting first video clip into timeline" = ON.

After you import the h264 clips using the dvd/dvd-vr disk import feature if you right click on the video (while on the timeline) what are the "Properties" of the video.
This would be the video/audio properties of the h264 video files.

They should read:
FrameSize = 1440x1080 Upper Field First
Aspect Ratio = 16:9
FrameRate = 29.97fps for ntsc, 25fps for Pal
Video Data Rate = 16000kbs (this can vary depending on the recording mode)
Audio = Dolby (either 2/0 or 5.1 @ 448kbs )

Next check you Project Settings: "File -> Project Settings -> Edit file format = MPEG. Then click on the "Edit" Button.
Under the Compression Tab change Media Type to "Mpeg2".
Then change all the other settings to match the settings of your source H264 video files. You must change the "Media Type" under the "Compression Tab" to "Mpeg2" first to activate the HD-Mpeg2 settings.

Example:
General Tab: FrameRate = 29.97 for NTSC, 25 for PAL
--------------- FrameType = Upper Field First
--------------- FrameSize = 1440x1080
--------------- AspectRatio = 16:9 (Preset automatically)
Compression Tab:
--------------- Media Type = Mpeg2
--------------- Quality = 70% - 100%
--------------- Video Data Rate = Variable 16000kbs
--------------- Audio Format = Mpeg Audio
--------------- Audio Type = Stereo
--------------- Audio Frequency = 48000hz
--------------- Audio Bit Rate = 384kbs

Close Project Settings & save the project.

Create a hd-mpeg2 file that can be edited:
Goto "Share -> Create Video File -> Same as Project Settings
Save the video file, start a new project and use this new hd-mpeg2 file for editing. When you insert the video file VS will ask to change the project settings to equal the source video, answer "Yes". VS should then make the necessary changes to your "Project Settings". The same settings you manually created above.

Your correct about the de-interlacing mode in PowerDvd_7. This is good for computer screen playback because computer screens are frame-based. If the file was played back on a HDTV at 1080i then you wouldn't need to de-interlace the video for smoother motion. The HDTV in 1080i display mode will use the 2 fields (top & bottom) to create each frame. So the HDTV uses the 2 fields.

When you are ready to create a HD-DVD then goto "Share -> Create Disk" to open up the "Project Burning Module". If you don't want to edit the video you can also open up VS and go directly into this "Burning Module" and load the hd-mpeg2 compliant video into the burning module and burn a hd-dvd without having to re-render anything again.

That's another set of instructions.

More stuff to try!

I hope this helps...But what I really would liketo see is for people to post their workflows - if they got it to work with the SD1[/b]

[tinab300]

markk655 and other Panasonic HDC-SD1 owners,

I am considering purchasing this camera and would use VideoStudio 11+ for editing.

I have read all the posts I can find in this forum concerning the camera AVCHD files but still have some questions and concerns.

1) Is this a complicated and time consuming process to use the AVCD files or clips once you get VS setup?

2)The way I understand it, I would also need to use VideoStudio to convert the HD video files to a format that can be read on a regular DVD player as opposed to a Blue Ray player Is this a correct understanding? If so, is this a rather simple process?

3) Is there a notable deterioration of video quality in changing from a HD DVD to a high quality widescreen DVD format?

4) I am running 32 bit Vista Home Premium bit and have a AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5600+ (2.8 GHz) with 4 GB 667MHz RAM and 256MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro video card. Is this enough power to run the needed processes for video editing and rendering of these files?

5) Knowing then what you know now about the video format, would you buy this HD camera again?

I have a need to buy a video camera now. With a 10% off coupon, I can buy this camera for $747 + tax at circuit city but am concerned it may be more trouble than I am willing to deal with to get the video to regular DVD's since I am not ready to fork out big bucks for a blue ray player. With only 40 minutes of video per SD card, it seems like a necessity to get the video off the card and on a DVD so one can actully show the video to someone else! I do have a HDTV so could enjoy the video with the camera hooked directly to the TV - that is until the time I need to clear the card to take more video! However, I like the idea of having the HD files to archive on a hard drive for future use once I get a complete HD system.

Thanks in advance for anyhelp anyone can provide.
TIna

[etech6355]

My 2 1/2 cents:

If you want nice HighDefinition to meet your needs (as you posted) then I would suggest a Sony HC3/HC5/HC7 unit that records to dv tape.
I would only use the Sony Premiums or the Sony HDV tapes in the unit.

There are many computer programs that are compatible with these units, they record in the hd-mpeg2 format (the same format that is on HighDefinition Blu-Ray Movie Disks). It's simple to create a standard defintion video using the camcorders internal downconvert features. They are 2 camcorders in one, standard & HighDefintion.

I would throw the 10% coupon away, hasty decisions are usually bad ones.
They get the 10% back when they sell you the insurance anyway

Good luck with your decision, personnally I think the avchd is alot of hype.

[mlai]

The AVCHD format is actually not a bad consumer format, but probably takes time to mature. I looked at the clips that I took with the Panny HDC-SD1 vs the Everio HD1, I will take the HDC-SD1 clips anyday over the HD1......

[etech6355]

So your taking your AVCHD clips that look better than the JVC"s, editing them in VS, exporting to a high defintion file or hd-dvd and they look just like the original? YES/NO

I find the format to be more of a shoot and playback only, non-editable nor practical format to work with yet, as you say computer should get better to work with this new format. But so far editing HD-Mpeg4 or HD-Divx gives me the same results, not easy to edit and lose of resolution when converting them to an editable format.
I think the best method in the end like you say things have to catch up, then when you import a h264 file you can edit it and export out to the same format.
I have used a program that can do this but the whole process takes a very long time to convert/reconstruct the edited h264 file. The computer system and programs to do this are very expensive (more than the cam costs).

[tinab300]

Thanks to all of you who answered my post. I really appreciate the feedback I needed to make a decision. As much as I would like this camera'a reported awesome HD quality, I am not prepared to go through a time consuming process to get the video to play on a regular DVD. I will need another solution.

I like the suggestion of the Sony HC3/HC5/HC7 HD cameras which allows a choice in whether to record in HiD or StD. It appears the price is dropping fast on them so that is the direction I am leaning.

The prices may be dropping due to the 5 new Sony HD camcorders coming out in the next 3 weeks. Sony Style only lists specs for 4 of the new cameras but of those listed, they all use the AVCHD (HD) format. Seems like Sony thinks this format is the direction of the future, too.

Again, thanks!
Tinan

[etech6355]

he prices may be dropping due to the 5 new Sony HD camcorders coming out in the next 3 weeks. Sony Style only lists specs for 4 of the new cameras but of those listed, they all use the AVCHD (HD) format. Seems like Sony thinks this format is the direction of the future, too.

Tinan,
For your information using the HC3/HC5/HC7 (I think you can only buy a 5 or7 now) but you can always record in these units in the HighDefintion Mode.
The camcorder has internal circuity to automatically convert your HD-Mpeg2 video that's on the tape to Standard Defintion and will output a standard DV signal on it's firewire port. You do this in the camcorders setup menu and activate the "DV DownConvert" Feature.

I've found the most important with these cams is to use their dv tapes. So if you buy a Sony then use the Sony tapes (there is a difference between manufacturers).