Storing & viewing AVCHD

[daveb975]

I have had a Sony CX6 camcorder for a while now, but am having trouble finding an efficient way to store and playback the footage.

I want to view the (unedited) footage on my TV via PS3.

I have got all of my footage stored on a network HDD, and so far the only way I have found is to copy it back to MS or CF card. Obviously, this takes a long time.

Looking at previous threads here, it would appear that the dedicated DVD burner is what I need, but is there any other way?

[senu]

As the PS3 can read AVCHD files off an ordinary DVD data disc ( with more capacity then a Memory stick( unless more than 4Gb).. have you tried doing that?
If you want to make an "AVCHD disc" ( which the PS3 can read in its BD player mode) you can with currently available software ( Nero Vision 5 ) part of Nero 8, Ulead MF6 plus, Ulead VS11.5
An "AVCHD disc" is just Hi def disc authored onto ordinary DVD disc which has a BD structure and can have a Menu ect
The PS3 and some BD players can play it
You could of course keep them on your PC HDD and stream them to the PS3 if you have them together on a wired network ( wireless if in the same room)
In this case the PC would be a media server and PS3 streamer. the files would be in a shared folder where the PS3 can access them
You dont need a dedicated burner at all IMHO

[JH4]

I've been researching whether AVCHD files burned to normal DVDs play back in HD format on a player such as the PS3 also, (on another forum), so thanks for the info !
I still can't quite understand how a normal DVD blank can accomodate the high bit rates though. 'Net searches on this subject come up with some confusing info. ( I think a normal DVD can only accept up to a theoretical 10mb/s but AVCHD files are higher bit rates, so how does it work ? Do they really play back in HD quality in a PS3,for example ?)

[daveb975]

Thanks for this. I think I will try to pick up Nero or something like that to get the AVCHD onto DVD.

Do you know how much each DVD will hold? A 4GB MS Pro Duo holds about 30 mins at the highest quality from the CX6, so I assume a DVD will hold slightly more.

[senu]

Originally Posted by JH4

I still can't quite understand how a normal DVD blank can accomodate the high bit rates though. 'Net searches on this subject come up with some confusing info. ( I think a normal DVD can only accept up to a theoretical 10mb/s but AVCHD files are higher bit rates, so how does it work ? Do they really play back in HD quality in a PS3,for example ?)

You are confusing the info that in producing DVD video, the encoding rates are a max of 10mb/sec
In this case all you are doing is burning video files encoded at higher bitrates to a DVD disc as data
In the same way, HDV files encoded at 25mb/ sec can be burnt to a DVD disc as data
In both cases, the PS3 is simply reading the files as a media player? streamer.. not a DVD video
However I see the point about the AVCHD disc.. that is like Mini HD DVD ..
These are not conventional DVD videos ( and cannot be read by DVD players)
AVCHD discs are in essense Blu ray discs on a DVD disc..
It probably means that DVD discs can be authored to allow higher bitrate files but not as DVD video discs

[senu]

Originally Posted by daveb975

Thanks for this. I think I will try to pick up Nero or something like that to get the AVCHD onto DVD.

Do you know how much each DVD will hold? A 4GB MS Pro Duo holds about 30 mins at the highest quality from the CX6, so I assume a DVD will hold slightly more.

40 mins AFAIk

[JH4]

Thanks Senu
Hope to be trying this out soon !

[JamesS]

Hi, hope I'm not hi-jacking a thread but I have a question re camcorder thinkng of buying sony HDR-SR12E. Going on a holiday shortly to China and thought would be idea upgrade my Sony mini dv camcorder (hc90) to to HD model. At present I run video off the tapes (via firewire) do little bit editing then burn a dvd. Will this be as easy with this model (SR12E) or is a mere novice like me going to start running into lot of trouble?

[senu]

It will be easier ( at least for capturing to PC) as you will now simply be transferring the date via USB
but
May be harder unless your PC is up to date as AVCHD does not take kindly to lower spec PCs ( Non Core duo) Some PCs with appropriate graphics cards 9 which take over CPU processing as GPUs can do it with less
Also making SD DVDS is a bit les straight forward as the Hi def H.264 Mpeg4 files are converted to mpeg2 ( for DVD)
but
As it seems that is the way camcorder technology is heading, that is what you get for Progress.. However the Hi def footage is bound to impress you and the convenience of HDD as well

[avlava]

Can i just pose a newbie type question too. When transferring AVCHD recorded material from camera to PC is that when you need the good spec hardware or is it just when you are actually doing editing and converting etc? I know conversion steps in video require good cpu machines but i was under the impression copying files was just copying files.

Im thinking initially i just want to store content recorded and edit it when i've saved for a higher spec PC or even Mac(whole load of other issues i know)

[senu]

Originally Posted by avlava

Can i just pose a newbie type question too. When transferring AVCHD recorded material from camera to PC is that when you need the good spec hardware or is it just when you are actually doing editing and converting etc? I know conversion steps in video require good cpu machines but i was under the impression copying files was just copying files

You are absolutely right in thinking copying the files does not require any special grunt. Playing does though, and editing even more so
Some camcorders have programs to assist download which them selves have minimum hardware specs ( perhaps for thier other functions) but with many of the camcorders, the transfer is a simple drag and drop from the camcorder seen as a USB mass storage device, or the card wic could just be in a card reader

Im thinking initially i just want to store content recorded and edit it when I've saved for a higher spec PC or even Mac

Sure, but you would want to play them and that raises the spectre of .. What kind of hardware do you have?
Some software can use lesser hardware, and some graphic cards GPUs can make it easier to play without a quad core with 4 GB RAM.., but generally, you would need a decently setup Core duo system with at least 1Gb RAM...

[avlava]

Yeah cool. A decent specced minimum core duo machine is next on the list.

I'll be playing back from the CAM direct to TV via hdmi or component to just view things initially so will copy back and fourth from laptop.

I'm glad its just viewed as a mass storage device (i guess after driver installation).

Next thing i want to try and find out is can i transfer direct from sony sr11/canon hf10 to an external Hdd without a PC/laptop.

[rhubarbe]

Course you can. You need an OTG (On The Go) external HDD like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/160Gb-OTG-2-5-...QQcmdZViewItem

I'm not suggesting you buy that one, just that this type of HDD is what you need.

[avlava]

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

Course you can. You need an OTG (On The Go) external HDD like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/160Gb-OTG-2-5-...QQcmdZViewItem

I'm not suggesting you buy that one, just that this type of HDD is what you need.

Hang on Hang! This may be such good news. I have an external usb hdd but i dont think its an on the go type. Thats the key is it to be on the go?

Do you know if you copy TO the device from the camcorder or plug camcorder to the hdd and do something on the hdd and say pull from camcorder? You dont need drivers or anything to see the cam?

Do you have a OTG drive you'd recommend?