copying a Videostudio X5 AVCHD to a USB

[weary]

Hi Ken
Thanks again for the advice but I had already tried that!! Definitely didnt use the P selection as I recorded from the new panasonic (brand loyal!) hd camcorder in the 1050i option. The programme that came with it is HD writer AE 4.1, but isn't as good as VS.
The tv is relatively new panasonic TX-L32G20B just over 2 years and according to the blurb it supports AVCHD and MPEG2 and DivX formats, so it shouldn't be a problem. I will write to Panasonic as well and see if they have any ideas I'll keep you both posted.
Regards
Weary

[Ken Berry]

Well, OK ... but the fact that you recorded in 1080i doesn't automatically mean you rendered in 1080i. After all the first choices under Share > Create Video File > AVCHD both involve 1080P...

[weary]

Gentlemen!
I have a new 'friend' at Panasonic and this is what she says!

'I would suggest you copy the files onto the computer and not import them through the HD Writer. This way they will get the .mts extension most likely to be recognised by the TV after being copied on a USB stick.

The DVD cannot be copied with the menu on the USB(only through freeware special softwares), but the video files should be able to be copied separately according to their extension.'

I have copied some scenes SUCCESSFULLY on to both a usb and an sdhc card and played them both on the tv, but I did use their HD writer to do it!!
I have tried to import scenes saved on a disc as AVCHD 1080x1920 via VS but the HD writer doesn't recognise them.

So if I want all singing dancing videos with menus etc using VS it looks as if I will have to find some 'ripping' software to do it!! Might be cheaper than a blueray player tho!!

Thank you both and if I discover any more I will let you know

Regards
A 'not so weary' lady!

[Ken Berry]

I have tried to import scenes saved on a disc as AVCHD 1080x1920 via VS

Were they merely saved as archive files, or was it an AVCHD "hybrid" disc i.e. with a BDMV folder on it, and the video stored in the STREAM sub-folder of that main folder? If the latter, then they would have the .m2ts extension...

As I said somewhere above, a hybrid disc is a good option, using standard DVD blanks, but they still need to be played on a Blu-Ray player. But as I also said above somewhere, Blu-Ray players are no longer a major obstacle price wise. Even here at the ends of the earth in New Zealand, you can buy them for not much more than US$50...

The other advantage of hybrid discs is that with VS at least, you can also make menus on them.

Also, as a matter of inetrest, what was the extension on the clips you successfully played directly on your TV?

As for software players, you could always try the freeware VLC player or Media Player Classic. I know for certain VLC will play AVCHD with no problem, and I think MPC also does...

[weary]

I also have Yorkshire blood Trevor!!
I haven't quite gone away, I've been trying different things and it's a long way around but I get there
Here goes: Using the HD writer that came with the camera (I'll try it with VS another day)
I imported from the camera a single 1050i file and copied it to a dvd+rw disc. The disc apeared named as AVCHD
I copy pasted it to a file which arrives as a folder 'PRIVATE' as did the first one. Here is the sequence:
PRIVATE
AVCHD
AVCHDTN and BDMV The stream in this file is 00000.MTS

I then copy pasted the folder to an sdhc card and it plays on the tv.

I then copied the original successful file to the sdhc card as well, having changed the name of the new file from PRIVATE, it wont take 2 the same name, and it only plays the one marked private so that is obviously relevant. So an sdhc card wont take 2 folders. There is nothing else on the card.

I also imported a 1050p file and that didn't play....most of the files listed were different extensions so changed them (as you have suggested!!) to the same as the ones in the private folder and then that played as well.
So it is possible in a very long winded way...............am now considering a VGA cable from laptop with blueray player to the tv........... even cheaper!!
Off for a cuppa and a chocolate biscuit now!!
Regards to you both
Weary

[lata]

Hi

I did a google on your TV panasonic TX-L32G20B, it seemed to indicate that the USB terminal was used to connect an external hard drive, allowing you to save/record video. so I doubt if you will be able to play video via USB.

You now mention a SDHC card, I assume this is SDHC and not the USB.
This seems to be the way to play your BDMV files (Bluray Disc Movie)

The best way of course would be to buy a Bluray Player, I can understand your delay being from Yorkshire, deep pockets and short arms, we are all canny with the money but if you are using a Panasonic HD, then you need some thing to play the discs on.

The Private reference could be part of the SDHC format not Bluray
The 1050p may be a typo, is that 1080p

[Ken Berry]

The Private business could also be output from HD Writer...???

As for connecting a laptop with a Blu-Ray player to your HDTV, that is a good idea. But check the laptop first. If it has a Blu-Ray player, most likely it will have an HDMI port. And connecting that to a HDMI port on your HDTV will guarantee the best quality. That's what HDMI is all about. And even you Yorkshire lads must have access to electronics shops with cheap HDMI cables!!! The VGA connection is very "old" technology these days and not great quality by comparison...

[weary]

I reckon the private is something to do with panasonic as well

You see I've now learnt something else from you chaps!! And I've got an HDMI cable already!! But when I, ages ago, attached an HDMI cable to the tv to use the bbc iplayer the screen on the laptop went a bit haywire and ended up in a very basic mode and I bailed out a bit smartish! I am self taught when it comes to these machines and also a retired LASS (age not mentioned) so perhaps the hdmi cable is my next challenge!

You must have incredible patience to help all of us sort out our problems...........thank you

[lata]

Hi

Well the wife has a laptop and connect to TV using VGA but have to say only to view photographs.
We do have a HDMI cable from the DVD Player but never tried it on the PC, will give that a go and let you know how it runs, and what buttons I had to press, that’s if I can find out and provided it has HDMI terminal???

Good HDMI cables are not cheap especially long ones, unless you want to sit on top of the TV. And yes we have many good outlets to purchase the cables.

[weary]

Well now Trevor,
Time to return a 'help'!!
I've raced you there!! As I already had a cable and it's raining (polite version!) down south I had a go at this HDMI lark as our Antipodean friend is obviously well ahead of us with gear and we can't possibly have that. Help is available via the blessed google. I put in 'hdmi pc to tv' and at the top of the page were step by step instructions on the site from pc advisor
www.pcadvisor.co.uk.
I followed this fairly easily and it worked!! You just have to remember which settings you've changed and to return them to the usual after you've finished. Unless Ken knows better and the pc saves the settings for next time. It rearranged my laptop desktop for me, but I've got time on my hands now, us all having sorted the usb problem!!
Ken..............respect!!............ the picture is very good just from the ordinary dvd I made, loved going from one screen to the other as if by magic!!

Rejuvenated Weary

[Ken Berry]

And no -- no extra tips!