copying a Videostudio X5 AVCHD to a USB

[weary]

Can any one help please. I have VideoStudioX5
I have saved my completed video as a video .m2t file and as an AVCHD file neither of which will replay on the computer if I click on the file folder. If I copy them to a USB stick they dont replay on the HD tv either. Both play as discs on my laptop quite happily but how do I transfer them as videos to a USB

[lata]

Hi

Welcome to the forums.

Ken is probably the man to answer your question as I know he uses USB to his PS2.

I am still using standard video but did a few tests a on my system and found that the files extension was not recognised by my player.
Cannot remember if I re-named the files to Mpg from M2T or visa versa.

Try re-naming m2t to mpg

Not sure which render options you use to create a HD Mpeg2 using Mpg as the extension. Certainly one of the options will do it

[weary]

Hi Trevor,
Thanks for your reply. My ultimate aim is to record an AVCHD or HD video to a usb to play on the HD tv as the dvd player doesn't support AVCHD files and the Panasonic tv does!
I have saved the video as a file in the 'share' section as AVCHD. The resulting folder has 2 sub folders in it, one presumably is the video as the files are m2t and the second is .upd. If I click on the video folder WinDVD starts up but doesn't play the file.I have tried copy, pasting to the usb and anything else I think might work, hence the 'weary'! I have had another avchd dvd from another programme on the usb so that's not the problem, but I like all the capabilities that VS gives me. If I save it as an mpg file i assume I will lose the hd and better picture.

Regards
weary

[Ken Berry]

If I save it as an mpg file i assume I will lose the hd and better picture.

I think you may have misunderstood what Trevor was suggesting. He was not suggesting that you render the AVCHD original to a (presumably standard def) mpg. He was suggesting that you merely change the extension of your exisiting AVCHD file from .m2t to .mpg.

I am presuming your Panasonic HDTV can play video directly from its built-in USB jack??? But I know that some of these HDTVs are a bit picky about how the input videos describe themselves in their extensions. And AVCHD files these days can use a variety of extensions including .mts, .m2ts, .mpg and even .m2t. So it could be worth just experimenting with some of these.

As Trevor has already said, I play my AVCHD and HDV edited files on my own Samsung HDTV via a USB stick drive or external HDD plugged into my PlayStation 3 (which is apart from anything else, a Blu-Ray player). My Samsung is an older one not designed to play video directly from its own USB port -- just photos and music.

I realise you don't have a Blu-Ray player, though they are pretty cheap these days even here at the ends of the earth in New Zealand! And they usually (all??) have at least one USB port on them. So that could be another option if changing the extension does not work.

[lata]

Hi Ken

Yes thanks for the info, I am in the early stages of moving to HD video, the first step for me was to purchase a Bluray player, then I have to open the wifes purse for the funds for the camera.

I did a few test video to play via USB and found the files extension was an issue, cannot remember which one worked and unfortunately deleted the video from the USB only a few days ago. I think I had to use mpg. I am in the process of editing some HD so may drop them on to a USB memory stick just to see which does work.

Knowing that it will work and its not a big deal trying both options.

[weary]

Hi Ken
Thanks for your help also. I hadn't realised you could just change the file extension without the file itself changing so thanks for that however................ as I said I get 2 files up when I click on the folder that I've saved the VS files to. The one the size of the video only highlights that it is M2T but when I right or left click and 'open' the file up it starts win dvd and it doesn't even play!!! So I cant play the video from the file and i can't change the extension!!!! Windows media doesn't play it either but it does show the video as a series of 'stills' when I click on the timeline.. Is it any wonder I am weary, but I'm sure there's an answer somewhere. From where and how did you save your files to the usb?
If I look at the successful AVCHD disc in the blueray player on the laptop the folder is BDMV . I've tried to open these but get lots of file extensions and if I copy the whole to the usb it doesn't work with anything, and 'play doesn't come as an option. I must be doing something wrong somewhere.
Yes the tv can play home made video as mpg from a usb and panasonic and the manual say it will play avchd files
Over to you wise gentlemen!

[lata]

Hi

Changing the files extension works for some types of video file, but not all, the video types have to be similar in structure.

A standard DVD has VOB type files, these are in-fact Mpeg2 types, so changing the extension will allow you to play the VOB, now a MPG

HD transport stream compressed using Mpeg may have the extension as M2T, change this to Mpg and it should still play. I have to say not for all types.

Mpeg4 (mp4) video is basically a Mov again in some cases changing the extension some times works.
Unfortunately not an exact science.

When you create the HD Transport Stream you have the option to use H264 or Mpeg2, depending on the template you use it may create a file as M2t or MPG, its knowing which template to use.
When I ran my tests I seemed to end up with M2T, as said changing the extension worked for me.

Windows Explorer may be set to Hide Extensions of Known file Types. If so then you will not be able to re-name it.
Go to any folder—Tools-Folder Options-View-deselect - Hide Extensions of Known file Types

In addition you may not see the folders tool bar menu as this may not be selected?

BDMV Folder contains a Stream folder it is this that contains the video files, probably names 00001.m2ts, copy these to the memory stick.

Given a little time I will run a few more tests, Ken is in AU and probably fast asleep.

I use a player from VideoLan, VCL Media Player, seems to play most video files.

[weary]

Thanks Trevor
The folders both from the stream files within the BDMV and from VS both have 2 folders. The larger is obviously the basic dvd and the other presumably the menu etc, how will I join the 2. I will give your advice a go changing to mpg and see what happens. Be back sometime with the results

[lata]

I think we are getting a little in front of our selves.

From the edit timeline you can Share Create Video File – Custom – Transport Stream
Use a compression of Mpeg and the resulting file should be MPG.
Try this with a short video, saves on render times.

When you Share Create Disc Bluray your project will be rendered in a similar way but the video is split into smaller parts, for a standard DVD that would be 1 Gb, not sure about Bluray sizes

Any way I have ran a few tests this afternoon and changing the extension to Mpg worked for me, irrespective of the compression Mpeg2 or H264
I have to say that you do need a Bluray Player and I have assumed you have a Bluray Player.

Stream folder
Insert the M2ts files to the timeline.
Share Create Videi File Same as first video will create a new video file.

[Ken Berry]

Now awake in NZ (no longer in AU!! ) and have a couple of comments.

First, changing the extension. To do this, in Windows Explorer (or [My] Computer), simply right click on the file. A drop down menu will appear. Down towards the bottom, you will see 'Rename', which is what you select. It will then show your video file name covered in blue, and it should show the existing extensions e.g. XXXXX.m2ts or XXXXX.m2t etc. Click on the End button on your keyboard to take you to the end of the name, and then use the backspace key to wipe out the extension letters, and simply type in the new extension e.g. mpg. You will get a warning msg on Windows saying this could make the file unplayable or something to that effect. Ignore it. Then, back in Windows Explorer, select your renamed file by right clicking on it once. And in the drop down menu, this time select Copy. Then, with your USB stick in the computer, go to its drive letter and left click to open its file structure. Put your mouse arrow somewhere in an open space in that file structure window, right click again, and this time select Paste. Your file should now be in the USB stick drive.

Now, regarding Trevor's and my comments about where to put the stick drive after this, as I said -- and as you are aware -- some (most) modern HDTV's have USB ports which will accept and play USB drives with video on them, though usually the video has to be in a certain format, most commonly AVCHD. But as I also said, AVCHD can use a variety of extensions (m2ts, m2t, mpg and even mov). Check in your TV's manual to see if there are any clues about this beyond it saying it will play AVCHD. If there is no clue, then you have to try the above renaming experiment, with the various different extensions -- though I suspect .mpg will be most likely to be successful.

Now this is quite a separate matter from the other question raised by Trevor -- the need for a Blu-Ray player. Sure, if you have one, it would probably make the whole situation much easier since they will usually play the same format (AVCHD) regardless of the extension. Certainly my PlayStation 3 plays AVCHD on a USB stick drive or external HDD, regardless of whether I use an extension of .m2ts or .mpg. And this would probably also be similar to other Blu-Ray players.

But the fact remains that with some HDTVs, you don't need a Blu-Ray player to play your individual AVCHD clips if it has a USB port rated to play AVCHD videos directly from a stick or external hard drive.

[weary]

Good Morning Gentlemen
Still raining in the uk and New Zealand is a fantastic place!
Thank you for you interest and lengthy replies
Back to the 'problem'
The file designation is .mpg. I now know this as somewhere along the line some saved files had .m2t and I did as you said and changed it to .mpg and there they were on the tv, showing as AVCHD files. Frustratingly I don't know how I saved the original there have been so many versions of this!!
So I have gone back to scratch and started a new file just for you chaps with no additions to it and I have saved it as a video file in various ways, 'as first video clip' and then 'custom' as .m2t files. Have also tried it as AVCHD
When I check them in Corel 'my projects' there are always 2 files belonging to the file name, one is .m2t and the other .upd. I have tried changing the file to .mpg but it doesn't come up on the tv. I has previously thought the upd was to do with menus etc but obviously not. Have also saved to a different folder but still no joy

So at least we a step further on with the file designation
Thanks again

[lata]

Hi weary
and good afternoon, its not raining in Leeds, just overcast but dry.

It may simply be your hardware, the TV just not supporting Mpeg/MT playback.
It may however do Mp4 or Div X?
You could of course render a sample to Standard DVD properties, Share Create Video File DVD will do that. Does that play?

My TV does not have a USB port, I connect via the Bluray Player.

If you are working with HD video I would advise you look into upgrading.
Purchasing a Bluray Player is my first step in upgrading to recording and editing video.

I will run a few tests with a short video, make sure I can play it and upload to you, some how. At least you will have a file that does play, having said that I do not think its gonna prove anything given that we are using different hardware.

[weary]

Gentlemen
At this rate I shall have lots of 'wearys' I'm sorry!

I have a blueray player on my laptop. I have recorded an AVCHD video containing stills transitions titles and music and a menu and it plays quite happily on the laptop. The Bose dvd player connected to the tv with the usb does not support AVCHD files.
Therefore:
I have recorded the same files as 'DVD' to a dvd from the 'create' menu and this plays happily on the laptop and on the tv via the Bose setup.

I just thought as the tv had a usb that supported and played AVCHD files (albeit as I've discovered from you and Ken they have to be .mpg to be recognised) that I could play the video back in glorious hd on the tv and bore the family witless, the facility is there so why not use it. But I seem to have opened a can of worms and there isn't the simple answer that I thought there might be, like just dragging and dropping or copy and pasting from the dvd discs to the usb stick, or from saving it as a video file which ends up as 2 files.

Is it worth continuing to try resolve the problem or do we give up, it sounds simple and should be possible but I understand if you've had enough.
Off to make a cup of tea
Weary

[lata]

Hi

Give up, I come from up north, don’t know the meaning.

And for what its worth its tried its best at snowing, now its just grey, wet and getting darker.

If your TV manual states that it supports AVCHD then the USB should be a suitable input connection. Are you sure the TV doesn’t refer to it being HD Ready, check the TV manual. The USB terminal must be used for something maybe for images, jpegs?

Try Mp4 or Div X movies, Avchd could be MP4.

Anyway you are able to play standard Mpeg2 via the DVD Player’s USB.

To be honest the best option would be to purchase a Bluray Player.

I assumed you tried standard definition via the TV usb. Of course you did.

What is the make and model of the TV?

[Ken Berry]

One of the problems with AVCHD is that not all AVCHD is created equal. There is now a huge range of Properties that an AVCHD file can have, particularly in terms of bitrate used and the type of video it is. By type, I mean the following. These days video can be progressive -- that's where the p comes from in what you will often see as 1080p. That's opposed to 1080i, where the i stands for interlaced. Putting that very basically, progressive video is where each frame in a video is a full and entire frame. So if you see a Property saying 25p it means 25 full frames per second; just as 50p means 50 full frames a second.

Interlaced video on the other hand goes back to the "old fashioned" type of TV broadcast systems it was mostly used on. Essentially, as you know, a video image is made up of a number of horizontal lines. Under this old system, you had video filmed in what is called Upper Field First, where lines 1, 3, 5, 7... etc were broadcast first, followed a millisecond later by lines 2, 4, 6, 8 ... etc. But this happened so quickly that the human eye perceived the resulting image as a single one. (Lower Field First video used the opposite: 2, 4, 6 etc was broadcast first, followed by 1, 3, 5 etc. But these days Lower Field First is largely limited to DV format video.) Moreover, the eye at the same time can tell subliminally that a progressive video is crisper that an interlaced one i.e. progressive video is better quality.

Now depending on your HDTV, it could be rated as either 1080i or 1080p. If it is 1080i it is rated to play interlaced video (though I had thought most 1080i TVs were rather old and would not play video from their USB ports anyway. I also thought they had some internal gadget which would let them play p for progressive video with a bit of electronic jiggery-pokery!) But if you, when you made your new AVCHD video, chose one of the p options in Share > Create Video > AVCHD, then there could be chance that your TV cannot play that specific video for that reason.

So right click on that new file you created and see if it says, under Properties, whether it uses Upper Field First. If there is no reference to that, then try rendering it again (Share > Create Video File > AVCHD) to one of the options without the P after it e.g. 1920 x 1080 but NOT 1920 x 1080P. Then change its extension to mpg and try playing it again via your TV's USB port.