Sony NX30 & VS X5 - play nice?

[n00b]

Any experiences using Sony HXR-NX30 with Corel Video Studio X5 - will they play nice?
I am asking, because I read about people having difficulties and needed to post-process/convert AVCHD files from the camera before being able to edit in other software.
Also, I am new to AVCHD and haven't fully understood if it is a "real" standard, or more like various RAW formats on DSLRs.

[Ken Berry]

Coincidentally enough, I was yesterday going to various stores to price that Sony, among a couple of others, including the Panasonic equivalent. I haven't yet bought it, though, so I can't comment with first-hand experience.

But I cannot see why X5 could not handle any of the formats the camcorder can shoot with. The top format (PS) is full 1080p at 50 full frames per second. In X5, you need to tick a box in Settings to 'Enable 50/60P Editing". But that is all.

There *is* however, a sort of down-side, though, in that the X5 default settings for *output* do not yet go up to the new international AVCHD standard bitrate of 28 Mbps. It is still stuck at 18 - 20 Mbps (though if you output in Blu-Ray format, it can be up to 35 Mbps). There are other ways within X5 of outputting the higher bitrate by setting up a Customised template.

But if you already have the camcorder, why not download the trial of X5 and try it for yourself?

[n00b]

But if you already have the camcorder, why not download the trial of X5 and try it for yourself?

I already have X5; need the camcorder
- and I need it soon, as I have more interviews coming up later this week.

[n00b]

But I cannot see why X5 could not handle any of the formats the camcorder can shoot with. The top format (PS) is full 1080p at 50 full frames per second. In X5, you need to tick a box in Settings to 'Enable 50/60P Editing". But that is all.

Not sure I understand the reason why you need to tell X5 that you are editing in 50/60p by clicking in a menu. That is: Why doesn't X5 just "taste" it when importing as it goes for 1080/50i, 1080/25p etc.

There *is* however, a sort of down-side, though, in that the X5 default settings for *output* do not yet go up to the new international AVCHD standard bitrate of 28 Mbps. It is still stuck at 18 - 20 Mbps (though if you output in Blu-Ray format, it can be up to 35 Mbps). There are other ways within X5 of outputting the higher bitrate by setting up a Customised template.

The various AVCHD formats are still new to me. I get the difference between 1080i and 1080p, as well as between 25 fps and 50 fps.
But I still need practical understanding of the formats - same goes for "FX", "FH", "HQ" "LP" and "PS".
Guess I need the "eye opener experience" like the one I had when processing jpeg vs RAW from regular DSLR.

But if you already have the camcorder, why not download the trial of X5 and try it for yourself?

Now I do First test shot done in 1080/50i FX.

[Ken Berry]

Not sure I understand the reason why you need to tell X5 that you are editing in 50/60p by clicking in a menu.

Well, while I agree with you, from Corel's point of view the 50/60P video is relatively new, and Corel have in the past taken a slowly slowly. one step at a time approach. So believe me, it is good that they have even included the choice at all. As it is, they still have to increase the maximum bitrate of AVCHD from its current 18/20 Mbps in VS to the 28 Mbps of the international standard. Maybe next time!!

But I still need practical understanding of the formats - same goes for "FX", "FH", "HQ" "LP" and "PS".

Just be aware that the FX, FH etc are camera-specific. Other brands use different terms. In other words, don't get too hung up about using exactly those terms since people here who don't have that camcorder model or brand won't know what you are talking about. So you need to think of FX being the highest possible quality on that camera, and so on down the line.

[n00b]

But if you already have the camcorder, why not download the trial of X5 and try it for yourself?

Now I do
Haven't had much time to play with it yet, though. But did turn it on going with the metro a few days ago. Very good first impression.