trial version not importing M2TS files

Benjamin Piccola · Post by **Benjamin Piccola** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 2:30 pm

I downloaded and installed what I thought was 11.5. It has a product version of 11.0.0157.0 PLUS. I just got a Sony camcorder and found their package does not support edit of the format they use. I would like to try VideoStudio for editing. The Corel email to customer support gets errors when I try to email them. I found this forum after 4 hours of trying to find out if I installed the product correctly. I downloaded the powerpack but it would not install, did the hot fix and it did install. I am ready to try a total uninstall and start over. But I was hoping someone could give me assistance with the flow and where to get the download for 11.5..... thanks!

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:13 pm

Hi Benjamin, welcome to the forums!

You don't tell us your camera model number, which is important. But I am guessing that it is one which uses the AVCHD format and shoots either to a hard disk or an SD card. But your confirmation would be useful.

Unfortunately, if it is such a camera, then you probably needed to know before you bought it that AVCHD, while high quality and using cutting-edge technology, is also just about the most demanding of all video formats currently on the market. But the camera companies don't advertise that fact when they trumpet the convenience of the camera on their TV ads. You need at least a Core 2 Duo, and preferably Quad, to be able to edit it in its native format and even play it back smoothly.

Now specifically turning to Video Studio, you need to have version 11.5+ to edit AVCHD/.m2ts files. And I am afraid that the trial version Corel has made available is only VS11+. Moreover, the Hot Pack and 6 November 2007, which together upgrade VS11+ to VS11.5+, do not work with the trial version. It's silly, in my opinion, given that an increasing number of users these days have AVCHD cameras and want to try out Video Studio's ability to handle the format. But I don't work for Corel and have no say in the matter.

I can certainly say that VS11.5+ can handle AVCHD (provided you have a sufficiently powerful computer) as I have done so quite a few times now using it. But then again, I do that mostly on a Quad, though have done it once or twice as well on my Core 2 Duo laptop. (I also now regularly produce AVCHD hybrid discs which are recognised by my PlayStation 3 for playback in HD quality on my HDTV.)

One other positive feature of VS11.5+ is that it uses something called SmartProxy. In effect, when enabled, this creates standard definition 'proxy' versions of your high def video files. You edit in SD and then the edits are applied to the HD files once editing is done. It is a slow process, but at least allows people with less powerful computers to edit AVCHD. However, you would still need a P4 with hyper-threading or the now slightly older dual core computers to even do that. And with them you will still have problems playing back the AVCHD smoothly.

So you could lash out and actually buy and try the full version. Corel does at least have a 30 day refund policy, so you could always return it if not fully satisfied.

FYI, by the way, the hot fix which you have applied was only meant to be used in the very specific installation situation described in the notes to it, and should otherwise have been completely ignored.

Benjamin Piccola · Post by **Benjamin Piccola** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:56 pm

Thanks Ken!
You are correct the camera is a SONY HDR-SR10. It was the lesser expensive of the three hard disk models that did HD I looked at. I should have spent more time investigating the software that came with the Sony package. I understand that Canon may have VideoStudio included with their offering. This afternoon I read the last lines of the download screen for VideoStudio and saw what I missed before: "If you decide to buy you will get 11.5". I found a deal on Amazon this afternoon and purchased the package 11.5. for 60$ with free shipping. I do have a duo 2.2 on the laptop and a quad 2.2 on the desktop. looks like I will be using the desktop for editing. Thanks again! I will uninstall the mess I made and wait for the package to arrive.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:34 am

Yes, very definitely uninstall the trial version. That is what we always recommend... And congratulations!

If you feel you will be returning here with other questions, you might want to fill in the Profile button at the top of this page, as that includes details of your computer system. And it is always useful information to have.