AVCHD and DVD playback problems

[blertlfc]

Hi,

I have a major problem at the moment that as far as I can work out from trying to piece together posts on here, I should really have seen coming.

The problem is I cant play back any recorded movies on my Panasonic DB30 blu ray player. I think the problem may be that my Panasonic HDC-SD5 is a European model, where my BD30 is a US import. My TV is a Panasonic TH42PX60B.

If I burn to DVD-R in AVCHD, DVD high quality, or DVD quality then I can play it through my computer no problem using the editing software (HDWRITER which came free with camcorder). Putting the burned disc into my BD30, via HDMI through my Onkyo 605, just gives me sound but no picture.

I have a notion that the normal DVD format burned is in PAL from the software (no options) and the BD30 will only play back NTSC. I also think that the AVCHD recording/burning may be at a different frequency (50Hz) to the BD30. I'm just trying to make an educated guess here.

If I play recordings direct from the camera into the HDMI port on the telly, then it plays with no problems. Again, I presume its ust a PAL/50Hz High Def decoded output from the camera, but I'm not certain.

Now seeing as my girlfriend is really annoyed about not being able to see our 1 year olds first holiday, and birthday party, (let alone the rest of the famly) I really need to try and get this sorted as soon as I can.

I do have a UK DVD player in the loft that I can try actually, but that wont sort out the AVCHD, as I want to be able to store my recordings on tha edia eventualy. The BD30 will (should in my case ) play direct from SDHC cards.

If the reasons for no playback are for the above reasons, and there's no way I'll be allowed to get another Blu Player, is there any software out there that will let me burn AVCHD and DVDs that I can play with the kit I've got? Preferably software that will give me a decent trial period. And preferably reasonably cheap

Many thanks for any help

[Ikki]

Your camcorder outputs 50iAVCHD which as you know, your US BD30 cannot read. I have a couple of suggestions.

On Windows, Sony Vegas 8.0 Platinum and the accompanying DVD Architect (about £60) will read 50iAVCHD. Use this to construct a DVD which can be definitely be written as an NSTC DVD that your player should be able to read, though you will of course lose the HD resolution.

Other than that, you need software to create a blu-ray disk plus a blu-ray burner which will cost a bit.

[blertlfc]

Thanks Ikki,

Pretty much what I thought. That with my current player, short of connecting the camera direct to the TV, then I won't be able to watch Hi Def. Which pretty much defeats the object of getting the camera really.

I suppose it serves me right for not having the patience to wait for the UK BD30 release. Or at least checking thoroughly Having to explain that we now have a £300 disk player that is incompatable with my £500 camera may be rather trying.

I suppose I may have to see about selling the BD30 and getting a UK version.

Cheers again

[Ikki]

The ideal thing would be to convert 50iAVCHD to 60iAVCHD. Elecard make some software that will probably do this but it is pro software and will probably cost more than several blu-ray players.

You can convert AVCHD into other formats like MP4 and MP2HD. Elecard do a piece of software called AVCHD to DV transcoder though it's not on sale yet.

I run Linux at home (Ubuntu) and I have a script called m2tstoavi which converts AVCHD directly into MP4 in a few minutes. The advantage of this is that the video can then be used in many applications, not just the few that can handle AVCHD (surprisingly including Adobe premiere) and being Linux, it's free.

Other than the Pro Elecard solution, I know of nothing that will convert other formats to AVCHD. It's just not something that many people need.

[glesgaguyav]

I see you have an Xbox360.
Can't this play PAL format? Iam unfamiliar with it but I know that it can play HDV
You could convert the AVCHD to HDV via software and burn HDV disks that will be playable on the Xbox360
Your old DVD player should be able to play the standard DVD's.

[senu]

Nero Vision ( part of Nero 8) is your friend here

[Ikki]

That's another piece of software to try out. I have been sticking with Nero 6 on my Windows VM as anything later is bloatware. However the AVCHD capability in Nero 8 looks useful.

Here is a guide to creating AVCHD disks with Nero Vision 5 (part of Nero 8):

http://www.digital-digest.com/articl...ide_page1.html

[blertlfc]

Originally Posted by senu

Nero Vision ( part of Nero 8) is your friend here

Thanks Senu.

I downloaded the trial version but it doesnt allow me to manipulate the files.

Does the program allow conversion between 50iAVCHD to 60iAVCHD(?) which the BD30 will read? I've mailed Nero but have had no reply yet.

I get the feeling that it will just allow me to create NTSC dvds to play, as opposed to being able to actually get a HD version that will play on the 30.

Ikki, thanksfor the link - but the site appears to be down due to a fire

[senu]

For test purposes,
I just opened it up and selected AVCHD disc, then imported a 50i clip from a PAL HG10..
Clicked on the export button, selected AVC (as the output file), then went into the "configure" dialogue to turn this into NTSC.
I suspect it will allow conversions.. will they work with the BD 30 work as you hope?.. I couldnt tell

[Ikki]

Blert596, the link is working now.

[blertlfc]

Well I downloaded the trial for vegas 8 Platinum, and DVD Architect and after finding my way around it, I think its what I have been after.

I can now load the 50i AVCHD files in, and delete what segments I dont want to keep, and save them at 720p in NTSC (It can do 1080i but DVD architect only goes to 720.

So I think this might be a definite future purchase.

Thanks for all the help

[Ikki]

I think that's because DVD Architect 4.5 doesn't support Blu-ray. Sony have just announced DVD Architect 5 which DOES support Blu-ray disk authoring.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/...?ReleaseID=684

I don't know when you will be able to get it though.

In the mean time, you can render the output from Vegas in quite a number of other formats including various HD ones which you could burn with Nero 8 or similar.

[HummerUK]

This sounds crazy...

So if I create a AVCHD which plays on my UK Blu-Ray I cannot send it to someone in the USA with an American Blu-Ray machine?

HummerUK

[redsox_mark]

Can't say for sure. If the US player can handle 50i, then yes; otherwise no.

[blertlfc]

Originally Posted by HummerUK

This sounds crazy...

So if I create a AVCHD which plays on my UK Blu-Ray I cannot send it to someone in the USA with an American Blu-Ray machine?

HummerUK

Thats the problem I had hummer. The UK format from the camcorder will not play on the US import BD30.

However, thanks to recommendations on here, its actually quite easy to create a disk with whatever format your audience wants.

Basically Vegas lets me take in the AVCHD files, sort them however I want, (and a lot more) and output them in NTSC that the BD30 will play. I can also output to normal UK DVD and UKHD for family.

I think it covers just about everything I'll ever need really. And the mrs is happ watching our holiday vid now