VS11 Compatiblity truths: AVCHD, m2ts, Sony HDRSR1, HDRSR7.

[EvilHomerClone]

Ok here is my question, I have been surfing around the net and someone suggested that I view this thread,

I am looking to purchase an HD camcorder very soon. I have always enjoyed sony products so I was going to get one of the new hdd hd camcorders. It was brought to my attention mins before purchasing that AVCHD format is ment for BluRay only!

I am more interested in HD DVD's at this time. Is it to my understading, even using software like Video Studio 11 or MovieFactory6 AVCHD files can not be converted to be HD DVD's??

I am used to recording my video, importing it into my computer and creating a dvd. I was hoping this process would be the same in the HD world. I understand that conversion times might take a while, thats no an issue for me. I am more concern about losing quailty during the conversion. if I record something in 1080i in AVCHD, I was just expecting it to have the same quality after the conversion.

If I can not do what I want to do with this camcorder, does anyone have any other suggestions for a camcorder purchase, even if they are professional HD camcorders. I am a fan of the HDD though and I dont see any prof HD cams with HDD's.

[etech6355]

I am more interested in HD DVD's at this time. Is it to my understading, even using software like Video Studio 11 or MovieFactory6 AVCHD files can not be converted to be HD DVD's??

I am used to recording my video, importing it into my computer and creating a dvd. I was hoping this process would be the same in the HD world. I understand that conversion times might take a while, thats no an issue for me. I am more concern about losing quailty during the conversion. if I record something in 1080i in AVCHD, I was just expecting it to have the same quality after the conversion.

I would suggest the Sony HC3/5/7 or Canon HV10/HV20. These are HDV tape based cams that record in the hd-mpeg2 format to standard DV tape.
These cams record in both the SD & HD formats. If you do record in the HDV format (my choice), the cams have an internal downconvert feature in it's setup menu. Turn on the downconvert and the HDV is down converted to SD and output over the firewire port. So it's good for both formats.

You have some choices, the AVCHD format is a highly compressed format, basically for distribution like Divx, it's more of a shoot & play type of camcorder. If you want to edit the video then a cam that records in the hd-mpeg2 format is much easier to work with, edit, convert to other formats.
I can downconvert my hd-mpeg2 to avchd(h264) and it looks OK. Going from avchd(h264) to hd-mpeg2 does have some loss and takes alot to time to perform this conversion. You would only perform this conversion to edit the videos, so if you want to edit the HD then buy a hd-mpeg2 cam, if you don't want to edit then maybe consider a avchd cam (not my choice as of yet).

I don't know anyone that's bought a Sony HC1/3/5/7 or HV10/HV20 and regreted buying one except for the price of these cams are still on the expensive side.
Of course this is my opinion.

[EvilHomerClone]

so going by your suggestions, then technically last years sony model (which I still have access to) HDr-Sr1 records in Mpeg2.

My basic concern is being able to record to Hi Def movies to HD DVD's with as little hassel. If AVCHD format is too hard to convert, then perhaps I should just purchase the Sr1 camera.

it has has a huge 3.5" lcd

[etech6355]

All that typing for nothing.................

[EvilHomerClone]

Aww thats wrong. I had back luck with HD equipment, so I am double, triple and quad checking everything that I am learning.

Dont feel that you didn't help me.

[etech6355]

so I am double, triple and quad checking everything that I am learning.

A smart thing to do. Read the writeups all over the web about the new great AVCHD video. Makes one think he should go with avchd because of the writeups.
Bottom line is the video is to highly compressed making it very hard for consumers to work with (editing).

Instead of buying a avchd camcorder it's possible to experiment and learn for yourself. You can download the latest version of Nero7 Ultra Edition enhanced. Convert your standard definition videos, make slideshows and create a AVCHD disk at high or veryhigh quality. Now you have just saved the cost of buying a avchd camcorder. You now have an AVCHD HighDefintion test disk. Use this test disk to evaluate programs, edit the video (time the editing & re-rendering), convert to HD-DVD and view the results.
AVCHD is just very hard to work with and edit.
BTW, the SR1 records in the avchd format (h264).

[EvilHomerClone]

great idea. i already have nero so i will give that a shot. thanks for your help.

[bigmutt]

I'm sure a patch is in the works, but any bugs must first be verified and the patch written, so be patient. Version 11 has only been out for a couple of months.

Only been out a couple of months, eh? what a cynical response to a major problem!

Is that how it works these days? release a buggy upgrade, then sit back while your early adopters struggle with it and provide you with the solutions so you can release a patch.
When Microsoft does anything close to this, the screams of "Foul" are deafening, yet Ulead is let off the hook with "wait longer than just a couple of months".

The best advice given on this forum so far was the moderator's, who suggested to use Nero 7 Ultra instead.

What chaps my butt most, though, is how Ulead tech support don't even acknowledge all these bugs, and try to blame problems on the individual owners/users of their crappy product.

I've been using VS since it's early versions, and I happen to really like version 10; but I am so disappointed in this company's response to this terribly-buggy version 11 that I'm looking elsewhere. trying to find a company that at least takes responsibility for its missteps.

The other forums out there on video editing software are buzzing so hot with warnings about VS11 that I'm surprised anyone who does ANY research at all before trying a new product is still struggling with this version 11, or even buying it in the first place.

[Black Lab]

A cynical response? No, just advice. If you don't want it you don't have to take it.

I am not an employee of Ulead/Corel nor am I affiliated with them in any way. I'm only a user, like you. And from past experience, there are always bugs to be worked out, even in v10. Version 10 is a great app, but some versions have been pretty bad too (v8 comes to mind).

The other forums out there on video editing software are buzzing so hot with warnings about VS11 that I'm surprised anyone who does ANY research at all before trying a new product is still struggling with this version 11, or even buying it in the first place.

Apparently you don't practice what you preach.

[Jerry Jones]

This is nonsense.

VidoeStudio 10 was solid.

So is VideoStudio 11.

There's only some relatively modest debate among truly knowledgeable users about the AVCHD-to-HD MPEG-2 conversions in VideoStudio 11.

Some say the AVCHD is being incorrectly read as "frame-based" while others are unconvinced.

Now, we do know that one should not attempt to install DVD Workshop 2 after installing VideoStudio 11.

But other than that, the program is solid.

Sure there are some AVCHD weaknesses.

The program can't import AVCHD files captured by other software; you have to use VideoStudio 11 Plus's internal capture utility.

But that's not a show-stopping "bug."

It's just a weakness.

The documentation for VideoStudio 11 Plus is very weak, especially where AVCHD is concerned.

They need to improve that, too.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

What chaps my butt most, though, is how Ulead tech support don't even acknowledge all these bugs, and try to blame problems on the individual owners/users of their crappy product.

I've been using VS since it's early versions, and I happen to really like version 10; but I am so disappointed in this company's response to this terribly-buggy version 11 that I'm looking elsewhere. trying to find a company that at least takes responsibility for its missteps.

The other forums out there on video editing software are buzzing so hot with warnings about VS11 that I'm surprised anyone who does ANY research at all before trying a new product is still struggling with this version 11, or even buying it in the first place.

[pausten@lemanoir.org]

My experiences have not been exactly the same as everyboy elses.
I have just purchased the Sony HDR SR8E camera. My first attempt at loading it into Video Studio 11plus was OK. albiet that it converted it all back to mpg 2.
I then changed the camera settings to XP - supposedly high quality HD, although what the difference is, is not documented.
Now I have the same problems as everybody else! - I simply cannot import my video into VS11+
Like some others, It imports perfectly into Sony's little "Video Browser " program.
I feel sorry forthe moderator here: - I too had assumed he was an employee of Corel/Ulead.
I have contacted Corel/Ulead who after replying with links to the same answers that I'd already seen on their site, directed me here. - Not very good!
Does anybody know if Pinnacle studio actually works with AVCHD?

[etech6355]

Nero Ultra Edition Enhanced version 7 latest updates.

[Jerry Jones]

1. Corel VideoStudio 11 Plus does import both standard and high definition MPEG-2 and AVCHD (MPEG-4) from disc/HDD/SD camcorders; you need to use the program's "Import From DVD" function to accomplish this and this function does work under normal conditions. You can't import AVCHD video into VideoStudio 11 Plus using the FILE > IMPORT method with files captured by Sony's "Picture Motion Browser" software. Apparently, the Corel VideoStudio 11 Plus needs a unique header written by its own internal capture plug-in. The file extension of Sony "Picture Motion Browser" AVCHD software is .M2TS while the file extension of the Corel VideoStudio 11 Plus AVCHD captured files is .M2T (from Sony AVCHD models). So the file headers are slightly different, but there's no difference in image quality.

2. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 11 also supports AVCHD. In some respects, it is better support. First, you can use the FILE > IMPORT method and Pinnacle Studio 11 Plus will allow you to import the files captured by the Sony "Picture Motion Browser" software. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 11 also allows you to edit AVCHD and then burn it to what is called "AVCHD disc" -- a format that plays on Blu-ray Disc players. Smart AVCHD rendering is *not* supported. Every frame gets re-encoded.

3. The Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 11 software does not support Cinefrom .AVI files while Corel VideoStudio 11 Plus does support Cineform .AVI files. So, in this respect, Corel VideoStudio 11 Plus is the best choice for AVCHD camcorder users who understand the benefits associated with converting AVCHD source files to Cineform .AVI files prior to editing. One benefit is that Cineform .AVI files are supported -- properly -- by Corel's Smart .AVI Render technology.

4. You can convert AVCHD to HD MPEG-2 in Corel VideoStudio 11 Plus, but if you choose this method for editing, you will have to turn off Smart MPEG Rendering in Corel VideoStudio 11 Plus because the feature is broken... causing glitches to appear at the end of titles/transitions in final renders. So, by turning off Smart MPEG Rendering, you can edit the HD MPEG-2 and re-encode every frame... just as one would do in Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 11.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

Now I have the same problems as everybody else! - I simply cannot import my video into VS11+
Like some others, It imports perfectly into Sony's little "Video Browser " program.
I feel sorry forthe moderator here: - I too had assumed he was an employee of Corel/Ulead.
I have contacted Corel/Ulead who after replying with links to the same answers that I'd already seen on their site, directed me here. - Not very good!
Does anybody know if Pinnacle studio actually works with AVCHD?

[pausten@lemanoir.org]

It appears having a mixture of AVCHD S.P. & X.P. files on the hard disk of my Sony camera is the cause of my problem
i.e. message "a problem has caused V.S.11 to close microsoft is checking for a solution to the problem"
I deleted the original succesfully copied SP files, & am now able to open the playlist & download the subsequent X.P. files.
I hope that this is off help to other users.

[etech6355]

I can't remember the poster or posts but one person has posted instructions how to correct this error. He claims it has something to do with an index file. I think he duplicates the camcorders harddisk to his local harddisk. Then maybe formatted the harddisk on his cam. Then copies the new index file from the cam to the directory on his harddisk thus replacing the original index file. Search the VS & MF forum for avchd and you should find many posts and workarounds on working with the newer avchd cams.

I would just be patient and make sure to keep backups of the original source m2ts files. Eventually the software industry will catch up, there are more programs out now that can work with the m2ts files directly, although I've found that they can be in different formats, one format requires index files or special directory structure to access these m2ts files. I'm only guessing but to me it appears that when you changed your quality setting in the cam the index file(s) also changed/updated and VS11+ has a problem or bug with these changes. Other posters have found a fix for this (search).