Confused about HD formats

[zehavi]

Hello,
I have bought a new HD Camcorder. I understand that I need Blu-ray disk in order to burn my movie to HD format.
I am using the VS Pro x3 program. Before the burning process, in the "Create Video File" step, I have (among the others) the Blu-ray template, the AVCHD template and the HDV template. Which one of them I have to choice?
In the DMF 7se the output format of Blu-ray disk is BD.
I am totally confused, please help me.
Thanks,
Abraham

[Ken Berry]

I understand that I need Blu-ray disk in order to burn my movie to HD format.

That's not quite correct. You can actually burn video in HD format (AVCHD) to a standard DVD. But these hybrid discs still require a Blu-Ray player rated for such discs, to be able to play them back. In effect they create a type of Blu-Ray folder on a DVD, similar to a proper Blu-Ray disc. To make them, you select Share > Create Disc > AVCHD

A Blu-Ray disc can be in either AVCHD mpeg-4 or HD mpeg-2 format. You don't say what your camcorder produces in terms of format. But regardless of whether it is an HDV camera or AVCHD, you simply select Share > Create Disc > Blu-Ray. I would use the 1920 x 1080 option for both. If you have edited AVCHD video, then in the burning module (MF7 SE or the X4 burning module) I would insert the AVCHD in the burning timeline and make sure the "Do not convert compliant mpeg files" in the Options cogwheel icon the bottom left of the burning screen, is ticked. That way the AVCHD would not be converted and would be burned as-is in Blu-Ray format.

But if you have a stand-alone Blu-Ray player connected to your HDTV, they will usually accept either external hard disk drives connected to them via USB or else a USB stick drive. And you can load either edited HDV or AVCHD onto such a disk, plug it into your Blu-Ray player, and play it directly over your HDTV in its native format.

[zehavi]

Thank you Ken for your most detailed answer.
My camcorder produces the AVCHD format, so in the "Create Video file" step do I need to choice the AVCHD or the Blu-ray format?
Thanks again,
Abraham

[Ken Berry]

If your intention is to actually burn a Blu-Ray disc eventually, then select Share > Create Video File > Blu-Ray H.264. And given that your camcorder probably films in the 1920 x 1080 frame format, then choose that option with the H.264. H.264, as you probably realise, is the codec used to produce AVCHD video.

[zehavi]

Thanks again,
As you assume, my camcorder films in the 1920 x 1080 frame format.
I have learn a lot from you, now the subject is much more clear to me, no more confusion.
Regards,
Abraham

[Ken Berry]

Do you actually have a stand-alone Blu-Ray player -- as opposed to a burner? If you, for instance, have a Sony PlayStation 3, it is an excellent Blu-Ray player, rated also to play AVCHD hybrid discs, and with two USB ports to which you can connect either USB stick drives or an external HDD.

It also just occurred to me that some of the latest HDTVs will also accept USB sticks and play AVCHD direct from them.

[zehavi]

Hello Ken,
Thanks again for your additional information, I surely intended to buy a stand-alone Blu-ray player, I like your advice to buy the Sony PlayStation 3.
I am learning more and more from your messages about this issue.
What a great forum!!!
Abraham

[Ken Berry]

While we're getting a bit off-topic, the PS3 is also a computer... and it can be fun to connect a USB keyboard to it and use your HDTV as a huge computer monitor to read the internet if you have the PS3 networked as I do with my house computer wired and wireless network.

[teknisyan]

Hello zehavi,

Here's a complete guide in creating different disc (CD, DVD and Blueray) on VS X3 and DVD Movie factory 7 SE.

http://corel.force.com/index/articles/e ... actory-7SE