HD Format interpretation

[billbirchall]

I have purchased Sony Movie Studio 8 Platinum, which includes DVD Architect 4.5. I have been in discussion with technical support, and I would like some assistance in understanding their reply.I use a Sony HDR-TG3E to capture video in AVCHD and can burn the raw video using Picture Motion Browser.

My Question:
I understand that DVD Architect 4.5c cannot burn HD. Is this correct and if so what is the highest quality that I can get?

Is it possible to take a rendered edited file from Sony Movie Maker 8 Platinum, transfer to DVD Architect for final editing and save the file. Then export the file to another burn software, say Picture Motion Browser( another Sony product) and burn the HD file using that, or will it not be able to recognise the file format?

Sony Creative Technical Support - Answer:

'Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8 software can read and edit DV, HDV and AVCHD formats. There are also options available with Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8 that allow you to render your video to HD formats (like Video for Windows *.avi).

Currently there are no render templates available that allow to save as AVCHD formats. This is something that is available with our Vegas Pro package, however. You can render and also burn with formats that match the format native to the AVCHD camcorders.'

I know what AVCHD looks like and it is very good. How do these other formats compare and would I notice the difference? What is the 'best' alternative format?

I have already asked Sony Creative Technical support for further explanation but would be grateful for some Forum guidance.

[senu]

Hi there Im not sure if I actually posted your file back by email..

Simple answer : HDV mpeg2 1080i

Longer: ahem..
My understanding is that AVCHD was meant to be a playback format t which combined high quality Hi def with small size, on a Non tape medium
It has done that and more as it has spawned the next generation of camcorders
However editing was an afterthought from the looks of it
Also live HDV the output for domestic payback was not given much thought
However HDV has the advantage that software could generally output edited HDV back to tape, playable on any HDV camcorder ( not brand specific)
With AVCHD, the situation is a bit different
AVCHD editng software did not take of for a long time and some would say it is just coming of age .in some ways the mac worls is ahead there
Also AVCHD editing did not seem to have the output back to AVCHD as the primary goal
The output was to mpeg2 1080i ( HDV) or WMV-HD
Both of which can look good but wmv-HD is mainly PC based
There are Quicktime HD and Divx HD files too
Blu Ray and the now dead HD DVD support h.264 9 AVCHD, mpeg2 1080i ( HDV and VC1 ( a subset of WMV-HD)
So in theory Blu ray discs can be authored with any of them as input
AVCHD seem to be a "standard" but the codec are not identical which is why some software will support AVCHD from Panasonic but not Sony and Vice versa
Its not all crystal clear ATM
Currently it seem SVMP8 does support 1080p but not from Sony but not Panasonic camcorders and the Canon 25(f)p does not work with it

[StevieBuck]

As the name suggests, it will only author video in the standard DVD format or in other words SD, not HD.

According to their website "DVD Architect Pro 5 software with Blu-ray Disc authoring is a free update to registered DVD Architect 4.5 users." So I assume you should be able to get this. Version 5 has support for Blu-Ray creation which would allow you to burn your edited movies in HD.

[senu]

Originally Posted by StevieBuck

As the name suggests, it will only author video in the standard DVD format or in other words SD, not HD.

According to their website "DVD Architect Pro 5 software with Blu-ray Disc authoring is a free update to registered DVD Architect 4.5 users." So I assume you should be able to get this. Version 5 has support for Blu-Ray creation which would allow you to burn your edited movies in HD.

DVD Architect is Sonys name for their DVD authoring software ,
As such they may not necessarily change its name when BD authoring is supported as seen in ver 5 pro
The Initial version did have rudimentary BD support though ( no Menus ect)
FWIW Sony Vegas Pro AVCHD output was a little known and advertised feature ( even from Sony) at release!
Im not sure though that this support will come down to the DVD Architect Studio which ships with SVMP8

UleadMF 5 and especially 6+ have BD support but are also able to author BD movies on DVD disc as AVCHD disc

[billbirchall]

Thanks Senu and StevieBuck,

Senu, No, you did not send back the edited file.

Re:Your response:- Simple answer : HDV mpeg2 1080i. What I am trying to find out, is having edited and rendered a file in this format, can I transfer it to any 'Burner' software as I do not think that DVD Architect can handle it, but I am not sure. Would I notice much difference, compared to AVCHD?

StevieBuck I do not understand the comment:'As the name suggests, it will only author video in the standard DVD format or in other words SD, not HD.' HD files can be burned to a DVD. It just means that they can only be displayed on a Blu Ray capable machine.

Also, I have checked the website, and I believe that the following is incorrect.

According to their website "DVD Architect Pro 5 software with Blu-ray Disc authoring is a free update to registered DVD Architect 4.5 users." So I assume you should be able to get this. Version 5 has support for Blu-Ray creation which would allow you to burn your edited movies in HD.

This is only available if you have purchased the Sony Vegas Movie Maker Pro version. Where it says that it is a free update to DVD Architect 4.5 users, they have missed off 3 important letters:-PRO!!. You must already have 4.5 PRO, which can only be obtained by spending c£400 on the Pro version.

Thanks for your inputs

Bill
__________________

[StevieBuck]

I was getting a bit confused myself earlier - ignore that mixed-up drivel

I realise HD files can be played from a DVD - I converted a couple of my HD DVD's to Blu-Ray a while back & as I don't have a Blu-Ray burner yet I split the video across DVD-Rs so I could test the converted video on my PS3.

[senu]

Originally Posted by billbirchall

Thanks Senu and StevieBuck,

Senu, No, you did not send back the edited file.

Profuse apologies. I must be getting older than I thought. I certainly composed the email
I do still have it though and simply failed to click ..
If you still want it ..

Re:Your response:- Simple answer : HDV mpeg2 1080i. What I am trying to find out, is having edited and rendered a file in this format, can I transfer it to any 'Burner' software as I do not think that DVD Architect can handle it, but I am not sure. Would I notice much difference, compared to AVCHD?

It depends on what you want to make. You can make a data DVD with HDV files on it. Just imagine them as the files you get natively off a HDV camcorder
DVDA cannot handle it because it is an input for HD DVD and BD video disc: Which DVDA does not support
You can however view it on a PS3 on the PC : it should not look different from your native AVCHD file
I can definitely send you identical files or one from the one you sent me for comparison but the disadvantage is the larger file size due to a higer bitrate ( and less compression)

.

According to their website "DVD Architect Pro 5 software with Blu-ray Disc authoring is a free update to registered DVD Architect 4.5 users." So I assume you should be able to get this. Version 5 has support for Blu-Ray creation which would allow you to burn your edited movies in HD.

This is only available if you have purchased the Sony Vegas Movie Maker Pro version. Where it says that it is a free update to DVD Architect 4.5 users, they have missed off 3 important letters:-PRO!!. You must already have 4.5 PRO, which can only be obtained by spending c£400 on the Pro version.

DVD Architect that comes with SVNP8 is called DVD Architect Studio

[billbirchall]

StevieBuck

No problem!!

Senu

Yes I would like to see the two formats if possible. It would be much appreciated.

I am now being told by Sony Creative, that as an alternative to burning a disk, I could use the PS3 Network to stream from the PC. It sounds like a great idea, as I am set up for it, but I have no idea of how feasible/difficult it might be. Any ideas?

Regards

Bill

[senu]

Originally Posted by billbirchall

StevieBuck

No problem!!

Senu

Yes I would like to see the two formats if possible. It would be much appreciated.

I am now being told by Sony Creative, that as an alternative to burning a disk, I could use the PS3 Network to stream from the PC. It sounds like a great idea, as I am set up for it, but I have no idea of how feasible/difficult it might be. Any ideas?

Regards

Bill

It is possible if not exaclty easy wirelessly or wired .
Easier with Vista which has built in media server ( ie the Media extender software which was part of Windows media centre ( XP) OS is now part of Vista)
It is better wired than wireless and involves using the PC as a media server and PS3 as a media streamer .The PS3 should be able to see a shared folder on your PC)
I have dont it with VLC but don't remember exactly how of the top of my head
I will have a look at the files and email them tommorow or upload them

[billbirchall]

Senu

I have Windows XP Media Center, so are you saying that I should be able to Stream from the PC to my Playstation 3 (which is effectively hardwired, as I use Home Adaptor plugs)?

Bill

[senu]

Originally Posted by billbirchall

Senu

I have Windows XP Media Center, so are you saying that I should be able to Stream from the PC to my Playstation 3 (which is effectively hardwired, as I use Home Adaptor plugs)?

Bill

Yes