Can you edit & playback AVCHD in HD ?

[Glen Dowie]

I'm sure this has been asked many times before, but even after searching all current threads i am still confused ??

I've got a Sony HDR-SR1, a new iMac 2.8 4GB and a PS3. All (possibly too much ??) I want to do is edit AVCHD files and playback (preferably on PS3) these files in HD.

The original unedited files look superb though the PS3 & they load in minutes which is great. I thought that the iMac & i Life were the ideal choice for editing & although slow to load in comparison to the PS3, is easy enough to edit.

Even though i've selected the HD (full) import setting, i have only managed SD playback on the iMac. One thread said that NO software (even the iLife/iMac) will playback edited AVCHD files in HD ?

Is this correct ? or am i doing something wrong in iLife? Surely you must be able to edit AVCHD & replay in HD or what's the point in the 1st place !

I'm about to buy XP pro to boot iMac in windows & try Sony Vegas Platinum to see if that works....

Would really appreciate it if someone could put me straight as I am very confused as i think you can tell.

[rhubarbe]

Far as I know you need to edit the AVCHD and when you are done render it out as something else. My HTPC is still u/s and my laptop won't handle AVCHD so all of my footage is still unedited, so I can't help you much.

[Glen Dowie]

Maybe i need to speak to an iLife/iMovie expert then... But want to know
if it's possible or am i wasting my time? Thanks anyway mate.

[rhubarbe]

Have a read of this thread, particularly the (edit - fourth from) last post:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showt...t=imovie+avchd

Not 100% conclusive but in the right direction.