What file format exporting AVCHD back to Sony HDR-SR12E cam?

[Davidk]

FYI, on the matter of copying a rendered file back to the camera - some manufacturer's don't allow it. Mainly, because of the way they store their captured images, and quite possibly influenced by the format used for the storage device. I suspect, their designers never imagined a case where a user might want to do that (ignoring the fact that a camera is a superb mobile picture screen system, where for example you might want to show something off to a friend over coffee in the local mall).

And in that sense, a camcorder is no different from a still camera.

I recently tried to do just this with a Canon sx280hs still camera (capable of taking movies) - copy a selection of images taken on that camera (say, the best 100 from nearly 1000) back to the camera, and later show them to a friend. No way would the camera permit import - connected to a PC as an attached folder, using explorer, the explorer copy ran and there was nothing on the camera memory card. Removing the card to the computer and doing the same thing, then re-inserting the card in the camera - no data recognised by the camera. Probably because in those ancilliary files stored in the camera folder tree is an image index. And of course you would need to know just how and where that index was constructed. If it's not in the index, forget it. Which ultimately is what I did - did not use the Canon camera, but an e-reader instead. Made mental note that Canon, for all its alleged competence in cameras, demonstrated poor skill in this camera.

Davidk

[Luna Esterhuizen]

I am really concerned about the same error I got when finalizing my latest project. I used to create BD folders and then after checking write the disk with Image burn to disc. I had a similar problem a year ago with VS X7 but with the release of SP1 the problem was resolved. Now with VS X8 I tried the creating an ISO first, because it's a much more convenient way to write to disc, but I ran into the "Debug Assertion Failed" error. I then took the BD folder option resulting in the same error. It took me three days to complete and overcome the error. All the "converted titles" (seven in total) were created and I imported them into as videos at the "share create BD folders". I then got the same error and from the error screen I used the "Ignore" option and had to press ignore for at least every 2 to 3% of the progress. The "retry" option did not work and just stopped VS from working. Though I was able to write the final disk I went further looking for possible software errors on my own PC.

Steps I took:

I restored my PC to factory defaults clearing every partition to the factory released state. Done all the Windows updates and installed VS X8 once again.
Before installing any other applications I repeated the process from my saved "converted titles" and got exactly the same error.

That to me was a definite indication that the problem lies white Video Studio X8.

Since the 2011 I've done BD projects in this way and I only had this problem from the release of VS X7 and the latest VS X8.

I cannot afford to loose this valuable time with programme errors and I sincerely hope that Corel will test their new applications properly before the release. You only get one free help offering from Corel itself which I initially used when VS X8 could not create proxy files. They suggested installing all the latest third party software and updates ( See attached screenshot). Even after following that I ran into errors.

Is there anyone that can help me here as I'm nearing the end of my next huge project and must render it in the next few days. At this stage I very worried about how it might turn out.

Regards

[asik1]

As I never did BD, can you tell me in a nut shell what your are doing?
You collected 7 m2t/mts files to a BD folder and tried to make an ISO? with menu?

And what realplayer got to do with it? I don't have realplayer.

[Luna Esterhuizen]

I've done BD in the same way I did with DVD's.
Firstly I create my different projects which will end up as chapters on the final menu.
Then I take the first one and move to the "share" part.
I then import the VS Projects (and my Logo video as an introductory )
Choose the option for a Menu
Edit my menu to personal preference
Check my settings before going to the final step to create an ISO
After rendering the ISO I mount it into a virtual Drive to see if the outcome is correct, this prevents you to from wasting a BD disc if everything isn't ok.
Lastly I write the ISO to disk

I think everyone will have their own way of doing, some prefer to render each project to Video files and import the rendered video in the share part (import media) but this is the way I like to do it. I've done so for the past 10 years.
See screen shots and I must say I did this very quick as it's quite late at night/early morning here.

Hope this can help you as there is a limitation of 3 uploads, but you can contact me privately if you still need help
Regards

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

[lata]

Hi Luna

If you have problems rendering those VSP, project files during the authoring stage you should render each VSP to a new video file.
Use the convert settings / properties you use in the Burner Module.
You will now have one video file for each VSP.

Do Share – your step 2 but insert Video Files not Project files.

By the way are your original video files MTS types, what are the properties of the original video files, maybe we can suggest a render settings.

The time to render the VSP to Video AVCHD.MTS file takes the same duration whether you do it or allow the burner module to do it. The advantage is being able to play each video to check quality before burning the disc.

If there is a problem with any of the VSP’s it will show when rendering the individual projects.

[Luna Esterhuizen]

Hi Trevor,
My original files are MTS(AVCHD) and I've used the three cameras for quite a time without any error. I know that there were suggestions to render the video files first but I prefer die VSP as Video Studio Supports the option. In another post where I discussed the "Debug Assertion Fail" error I indicated that I used the video files that was created as the "converted titles" in the working folder and they were all created correctly. The error does not appear in the converting process to video but in the later finalizing stages. So creating to videos would not solve the issue.

I don't like the idea to render 7 to 8 separate projects to video and want to stick to my current workflow (it worked for years). While creating an ISO or BD folders also benefit me to watch my final project for checking before writing to disc.

I've never considered the option to render and write straight to a disk even when I did DVD which is by far smaller than Blu Ray.

I think Corel should solve the issue with a patch as it worked correctly with VS X7 and I'm not going to change my workflow, that would be a last desperate option. Bugs should be fix and that is my point.

Thank however for you suggestions. This is the only support that the users can find support, Corel's support is not enough.

Regards

[asik1]

Luna, one thing for sure, VS will never be flawless and bugs free even in VSXXII. I don't know how common your issue is but all I can add is that on my humble XPSP3 system with outdated drivers I never had most of the problems users report on the forum. Maybe my projects are simplier or maybe I take the good out of VS and use other software to complete the task at the most trouble free manner, that is my workflow.

[Luna Esterhuizen]

Yes, I think you're spot on! XP was a great OS with few problems, but does it support these new apps and things like all these media format explosions HD, 4K 8K and cameras that can handle 1000fps ?:( What I cannot handle if they do unnecessary paid Upgrades every year with few new benefits, while things that count, like this essential part of the programme, not working in the new version. I've tried nearly every proper Video editor (all Pro versions meant for Cinema stuff), for years and just recognised that VS offer the most for the bug. May be I must invest in third party software for better effects and stick with a version which problems were taken care of. Unfortunately it takes a lot of resources to produce high quality video products to clients like HD Blu ray and I cannot afford to loose valuable time. Since a few versions back VS also support 4K and I cannot even think of how my PC will handle this kind of media. Since VS X7, Corel propagated a better performance for 64bit PCs but this is even not the case. The versions that preceded them could handle the same stuff much better.
I really like your comments
Regards

[canuck]

Luna,
have you tried to render just one project file and see if it fails? If not then you could add the next project. This might show you if there is a particular project that is causing a problem.

Rendering first to a video file, (with your situation) of course is a big advantage since the "project" does not have to be rendered again when used again and again

[Luna Esterhuizen]

Yes, I did a test last night and it was only an 8 minute project. It rendered successfully to an ISO. Unfortunately my complete project would exceed 2 hours which is in any terms quite bulky. As I've said in another comment I do not think the problem comes with the conversion part( my converted title were flawless) but at the later stage of the finalizing. It will take the same time for rendering the separate projects and then import them into the share part as to render the VSPs once it is imported at once. I took the converted title videos and imported it and still got the same "Debug Assertion Failed" error. I know that if you render videos it will finalize much faster, I did that, but with the same result. As far as I know the converted titles is the same kind of media as if you render it to a video format. May be I have it wrong. Regards

[canuck]

" I know that if you render videos it will finalize much faster, I did that, but with the same result."

Did you do them all at once or did you "finalize" by adding one at a time until you get the error?


"As far as I know the converted titles is the same kind of media as if you render it to a video format"

That is not necessarily true since it depends on the output settings you selected.

[Luna Esterhuizen]

I took the converted titles video files of all the projects (remember the files was rendered without errors) imported them.

The converted titles I guess will have the same setting as your output preference settings which would be exactly the same setting if you render videos one by one.

I'm nearing the end of my project and within the next 10 hours I would see if the error repeated itself. For the moment I have my fingers crossed.

Thanks

[lata]

Hi Luna

I am a little confused by the term “Finalize” – do you mean the entire authoring process?

I can only repeat that if you have problems in the burner stage then convert your projects to video files.

When you render in the burner module do you set the properties to match your video files properties? or do you allow the program to use its default settings.
You are best using the original video properties to burn the disc, rendering will be faster doing that. Even so will take a long time.

You could use Batch Convert to render all VSP’s to MTS.

I assume your project properties match your video files properties.

My Panasonic camera records to :-

MPEG Transport-Stream Files
24 bits, 1920 x 1080, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(HDMV-PAL), 16:9
H.264 Video
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 16800 kbps)
Audio data rate: 128 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Its these properties that I use throughout my projects and authoring stage.
When I access Batch Convert – Transport Stream – the project properties are used to render the VSP’s.

You have to consider that a problem within one project may be the cause of the fails. Only converting each project will confirm that, or not as the case may be.

I do understand why you prefer your methods, its just personal preference, but I don’t think it’s the best approach. Yes I know the program is supposed to do that?

[canuck]

Just because each project rendered to a video file doesn't mean that the final, combined project will finalize without errors.

[Luna Esterhuizen]

Hi Trevor,

I wasn't aware that you can batch convert VSP and had a quick look at it now. I could not manage to set the frame size in the batch convert settings to 1920x1080 the max is 720x480 with Max 9800 kbps Variable bit if I choose MTS rate see attached. If I choose MPEG 4 my cameras' properties settings are available
I use three Sony cameras which deliver 29fps (one can do 60p and 60i) but I set it to be the same as the other two. See attached 710 properties screenshot. I always choose Blu-ray property settings not Blu-ray H.264. See attached screenshot.

This is a little bit confusing to me
Should I use H.264 instead of Mpeg 2? I guess that it is more like my resource files?