AVCHD vs MPEG-4 HD

[froggy_doddy21]

Hello, I just moved from a Sony HDV (HDR-HC3) camcorder to a Panasonic AVCHD one (HC V700). When rendering my final video, I've always used MPEG-4 HD. This new camcorder records in AVCHD. I'm not sure if I should be outputting to MPEG-4 HD or AVCHD. Before I had issues rendering in AVCHD, which is why I didn't use it. My questions is:

What's the main differences in MPEG-4 HD vs. AVCHD? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Which one is better and the one I should use?

I'll Google it too and hopefully come up with more information but I thought I'd ask here first to get fellow Videostudio users' input.

Thanks guys

[aljimenez]

Regardless of which is better, I don't think VS X5 creates AVCHD. You can place mts files from your camera on the timeline just fine. But when create time comes for your project, AVCHD is not one of the options... Al

[froggy_doddy21]

Regardless of which is better, I don't think VS X5 creates AVCHD. You can place mts files from your camera on the timeline just fine. But when create time comes for your project, AVCHD is not one of the options... Al

Yes, it's there. It's one of the options we can choose from.

[Ken Berry]

It depends a little on what you intend to do with your video. If you intend to burn a Blu-Ray, then I would stick with AVCHD since it is already one of the Blu-Ray-compatible formats i.e. it can be burned straight to disc without any conversion being needed. It is my understanding -- though I'd be happy to be corrected -- that HD MP4 uses a different codec, and so would need to be converted to either Blu-Ray mpeg-2 or AVCHD in the process of burning a Blu-Ray disc.

[aljimenez]

Yes, it's there. It's one of the options we can choose from.

Oops! I guess I have been polluted with old X4 information. thanks for your correction... Al

[Ken Berry]

It was also an option in X4, and I used it many times....

[froggy_doddy21]

My purpose is to archive/save home videos. I simply want the best video quality possible. File size is slightly important but I would think that there isn't a huge difference in file size between the 2. I'll run some tests.

I was thinking about it and I would think that AVCHD is the way to go as that is what my camcorder natively records in. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything before choosing a codec/format and going with it.

Again, I welcome any information/suggestions/advice.