Keeping it simple, camcorder-dvd?

[captrik767]

I've read though a lot of posts and most of it assumes a lot of experience with editing.

I have a Cannon HF10 and want to get the footage off my camcorder and onto a dvd.

Now you think that would be a simple task? except the footage is AVCHD (some sort of Hi-def).

So in order to get the best from this i guess i need to get a blu-ray writer?

Assuming i only have a dvd burner then i sort of figured that i need to get the footage onto my computer first. only problem is that the footage has a big file size (being HD and all). So i brought a 500gb external hard drive and then download all my footage onto that.

This keeps my camcorder empty and does not clog up my computer hard drive.

The software i got with the camcorder (image mixer3) does not seem to support this AVCHD format so i then brought Roxio Creator 2009.

So now i need to get the files from the Hard drive to the disc.

Only when i try and open the files it says they are not recognised being in a M2TS format???

This has taken me several days and i'm now reading though a very large manual in order to get the basic footage burned to disc.

Who ever said this was easy?

Is what i have said abve the right way to go about this?

[StevieBuck]

First of all, you need to decide what you want to do with the video. Do you want to make a straight backup of it, or do you want to edit it in a software package? Do you want to keep it in HD, or do you want to reduce it to standard definition (SD)?

Either way, the main options available are the following:

1. Straight backup to standard definition (SD) DVD using a standalone DVD recorder (no PC required, expensive depending on recorder you choose, loses HD quality, simplest method)
   
   
2. Copy video clips to PC, edit/encode to HD format & burn to Blu-ray (keeps HD quality, more expensive (cost of Blu-ray burner/disks), takes more time)
   
   
3. Copy video clips to PC, edit/encode to SD format & burn to DVD (loses HD quality, should be achievable with your current set-up assuming you get software to work)
   
   
4. Copy video clips to PC, create AVCHD disk from files without editing (can be done with Blu-ray OR DVD disks, keeps HD quality no editing therefore relatively straightforward)

The final method can be done using a free software called TSMuxer (search for it on Videohelp.com for download link & guides), and I think you can do it with Nero. However - this is the only method I haven't tried so can't guarantee if it works. You also need a Blu-ray player capable of playing AVCHD format disks AND it must accept the codec used by your camcorder!

Once you decide what exactly you want to do, then it'll be easier to guide you further.

[captrik767]

wow thats great i understood that!

I guess i'm going for option 4. (just want to save the footage in HD quality)

I'll try the editing in HD at another stage when i feel happy.

So to do that i just save to my External drive? They seem to appear as MPEGs on the drive (it that the HD quality or did i lose it in the transfer)?

If i burn these to DVD will that be HD? or will i really need to burn to Blu-ray.

My blu-ray player is a pioneer BDP-LX52, so should support all formats.

Thanks for your Help

[DVD_fan]

Hi,
I am using option 4. It is dead easy. All you need is BD-RE drive in your computer (around £130) plus Blu Ray media. If you do it properly one BD-R 25 (single layer) will keep around 2,5 hours of video in original quality.(Actually could be a bit more as that what I get with 25 MBPs video from my HFS 100)

You will also need Image burn – (excellent free CD/DVD/BD burning program).
I have tested this solution on my Panasonic BD35 Blu Ray player.

You do not need to perform anything on your files (keep 100% quality)
All you do is burn BDMV folder that you previously copied from your SD card.
Use Build option in Image burn (it will set everything automatically for you)
Depending on the size of your SD card you may have to play with your files a bit to get maximum 25GB of video on BD-R.

It is a good idea to check that your Blu Ray player will play AVCHD disks.


Hope it helps.

[StevieBuck]

Originally Posted by captrik767

So to do that i just save to my External drive? They seem to appear as MPEGs on the drive (it that the HD quality or did i lose it in the transfer)?

If i burn these to DVD will that be HD? or will i really need to burn to Blu-ray.

DVD_fan has explained what you need to do in more detail if you use 'option 4'.

Since everything is digital, and you're essentially just copying & pasting the clips onto your PC/external hard drive - there is no loss of quality when you copy between devices.

The AVCHD files will remain in HD even if you burn to DVD. The problem with DVD of course is that it has a much smaller capacity than Blu-ray. Due to the large file sizes involved, you'll probably only get approx. 20mins of video onto a single DVD+/-R depending on the bitrate your camcorder records at.

[captrik767]

20 mins i see! now i get it, so i can put the HD footage on a dvd and get 20 mins or buy a Ble-ray burner and get 2 hours odd.

see simpke when explained to you in english!

thanks again