AVForums

Our philosophy in our forums, reviews, podcasts and feature videos is to promote audio and visual excellence by gathering and sharing the best information and resources available.

Help

To begin please visit our help section »

Not a Member Yet?

It only takes a minute to start enjoying the benefits of AVForums membership, and it's free!

Member Log in

can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Post Reply
Old 11-03-2009, 2:44 PM   #1
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Experience Points:
2,198, Level: 10
Points: 2,198, Level: 10 Points: 2,198, Level: 10 Points: 2,198, Level: 10
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 51, Got 0
Posts: 49
can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

sorry me again!

can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

how easy is this?
I'm thinking, if I go for a cam that can record in HD only, ideally I still want to be able to disseminate SD copies for friends / family etc. to view on SD systems.

Also what about youtube and other internet video apps - can they play HD ?

many thanks
  Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 3:00 PM   #2
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hillingdon /Hayes, Middx
Experience Points:
47,154, Level: 53
Points: 47,154, Level: 53 Points: 47,154, Level: 53 Points: 47,154, Level: 53
Activity: 2.7%
Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7%
Thanks: Gave 1,052, Got 2,970
Posts: 19,311
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

You could keep all these questions in one or 3 threads you know..
The answer is
Yes
HDV and AVCHD can be rendered out as SD after editing
As editng on a PC is non destructive, you could have a Hi def output as well, and then also the You tube friendly formats

However with HDV, you can shoot Hi def but capture to PC as SD (DV AVI)
With AVCHD you dont have this option as AVCHD camcorders cannot downconvert " on the fly" as HDV camcorders can

Is it easy.?? .its as easy as asking the software to do it.
Is it quick.?
..Most probably not..
Even with a basic Quad core system with loads of RAM , it still takes time but it is possible and you may have the patience for it
AFAIK some of these hosting sites dont need you do convert as they do it automatically

Last edited by senu; 11-03-2009 at 3:55 PM.
  Quote
Thanks from:
zorba11 (11-03-2009)
Old 11-03-2009, 3:51 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Mr Lazy's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rochester, Kent
Experience Points:
5,051, Level: 16
Points: 5,051, Level: 16 Points: 5,051, Level: 16 Points: 5,051, Level: 16
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 101, Got 148
Posts: 1,025
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by senu View Post
You could keep all these questions in one or 3 threads you know..
LOL
  Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 4:15 PM   #4
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Experience Points:
2,198, Level: 10
Points: 2,198, Level: 10 Points: 2,198, Level: 10 Points: 2,198, Level: 10
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 51, Got 0
Posts: 49
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by senu View Post
You could keep all these questions in one or 3
Sorry guys! On other forums I participate in the protocol is always that if a new question arises in a thread, unless its directly related to the subject of the original thread, then one should create a new thread for the question.
  Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 4:19 PM   #5
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Experience Points:
2,198, Level: 10
Points: 2,198, Level: 10 Points: 2,198, Level: 10 Points: 2,198, Level: 10
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 51, Got 0
Posts: 49
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by senu View Post
However with HDV, you can shoot Hi def but capture to PC as SD (DV AVI)
With AVCHD you dont have this option as AVCHD camcorders cannot downconvert " on the fly" as HDV camcorders can
I guess the same applies for playing content on an SD TV directly from the cam. That is to say, with HDV you can downconvert your HD content to SD "on the fly" as it goes down the wire to the SD TV, but anything in AVCHD format can't be downconverted ?

ta

Last edited by zorba11; 11-03-2009 at 4:22 PM.
  Quote
Old 11-03-2009, 5:39 PM   #6
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hillingdon /Hayes, Middx
Experience Points:
47,154, Level: 53
Points: 47,154, Level: 53 Points: 47,154, Level: 53 Points: 47,154, Level: 53
Activity: 2.7%
Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7%
Thanks: Gave 1,052, Got 2,970
Posts: 19,311
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by zorba11 View Post
I guess the same applies for playing content on an SD TV directly from the cam. That is to say, with HDV you can downconvert your HD content to SD "on the fly" as it goes down the wire to the SD TV, but anything in AVCHD format can't be downconverted ?

ta
No not quite
This is simply a function of HDV camcorders
The HDV camcorder actually turns the mpeg2 1080i to DV AVI at the point of capture before it gets to the PC. It is not a passive feature and you would have to specify that it does this as You would use the same firewire cable whether capturing from it as HDV or DV

With Playing to SD TV, if you connect any sort of camcorder , even to HDTV via composite analogue or s-video, you will get SD
SD TVs dont have HDMI and those which have component tend to only accept 576i if the camcorder output via component supports that
  Quote
Thanks from:
zorba11 (12-03-2009)
Old 15-03-2009, 10:26 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
jwramsay's Avatar
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West of Scotland
Experience Points:
7,566, Level: 20
Points: 7,566, Level: 20 Points: 7,566, Level: 20 Points: 7,566, Level: 20
Activity: 0.3%
Activity: 0.3% Activity: 0.3% Activity: 0.3%
Thanks: Gave 81, Got 61
Posts: 1,524
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

I found something great about Sony DVD Architect Pro 5.0, that you may find helpful.

I can edit my Hi-Def timeline using Sony Vegas 8.0c, producing an M2TS AVC file and an AC3 file (5.1 surround).

Pull these into DVD Architect, replacing the corrupted soundtrack on the M2TS with the AC3 (major BUG alert there!). This can then be used to create either an AVCHD "Blu Ray" disk or it will convert to MPEG2 with AC3 to make a "DVD". The conversion does take a while, but saves having to do the project twice.

Any yes, youtube does allow uploading of M2TS files with the limitations of 10mins or 1G file size. Works very well actually.
  Quote
Old 15-03-2009, 5:39 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
mmace's Avatar
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Leeds
Experience Points:
8,848, Level: 22
Points: 8,848, Level: 22 Points: 8,848, Level: 22 Points: 8,848, Level: 22
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 27, Got 63
Posts: 1,222
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by senu View Post
Is it quick.?
..Most probably not..
Even with a basic Quad core system with loads of RAM , it still takes time but it is possible and you may have the patience for it
depends on the PC, mine can render SD MPEG2 DVD ready in about 6x (60 minute clip will take 10 mins rendering)

if I render out as AVCHD and then convert that to SD in something like ConvertXtoDVD it takes not much more than 5 minutes to do over an hour.
  Quote
Thanks from:
zorba11 (23-03-2009)
Old 15-03-2009, 6:19 PM   #9
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hillingdon /Hayes, Middx
Experience Points:
47,154, Level: 53
Points: 47,154, Level: 53 Points: 47,154, Level: 53 Points: 47,154, Level: 53
Activity: 2.7%
Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7%
Thanks: Gave 1,052, Got 2,970
Posts: 19,311
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mmace View Post
depends on the PC, mine can render SD MPEG2 DVD ready in about 6x (60 minute clip will take 10 mins rendering)
True, an i7 system with 2-3Gb RAM and a decent modern Graphics card is " cutting edge" though
Also not all software can take advantage of 8 " threads"

Last edited by senu; 15-03-2009 at 6:25 PM.
  Quote
Thanks from:
zorba11 (23-03-2009)
Old 17-03-2009, 10:13 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
mmace's Avatar
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Leeds
Experience Points:
8,848, Level: 22
Points: 8,848, Level: 22 Points: 8,848, Level: 22 Points: 8,848, Level: 22
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 27, Got 63
Posts: 1,222
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by senu View Post
True, an i7 system with 2-3Gb RAM and a decent modern Graphics card is " cutting edge" though
Also not all software can take advantage of 8 " threads"
ConvertXtoDVD only uses 1 thread and it's still stupidly fast
  Quote
Thanks from:
zorba11 (23-03-2009)
Old 17-03-2009, 11:04 AM   #11
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hillingdon /Hayes, Middx
Experience Points:
47,154, Level: 53
Points: 47,154, Level: 53 Points: 47,154, Level: 53 Points: 47,154, Level: 53
Activity: 2.7%
Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7%
Thanks: Gave 1,052, Got 2,970
Posts: 19,311
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mmace View Post
ConvertXtoDVD only uses 1 thread and it's still stupidly fast

Is this on any system though?
My remark about the i7 system is that the system as a whole ( FSB, RAM speed), not just the processor is optimised for speed
As such with even only 1 thread the 2 tiers of onboard cache are being utilised
If you used ConvertXto DVD on a low end C2D or even P4 with 1Gb RAM would it still be fast?
Canopus Procoder is quite fast too
  Quote
Thanks from:
zorba11 (23-03-2009)
Old 17-03-2009, 11:13 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
mmace's Avatar
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Leeds
Experience Points:
8,848, Level: 22
Points: 8,848, Level: 22 Points: 8,848, Level: 22 Points: 8,848, Level: 22
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 27, Got 63
Posts: 1,222
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by senu View Post

Is this on any system though?
My remark about the i7 system is that the system as a whole ( FSB, RAM speed), not just the processor is optimised for speed
As such with even only 1 thread the 2 tiers of onboard cache are being utilised
If you used ConvertXto DVD on a low end C2D or even P4 with 1Gb RAM would it still be fast?
Canopus Procoder is quite fast too
no idea!
I know it automatically overclocks too when software only uses 1 thread as it knows it can get hotter as the rest of the CPU isn't in use
  Quote
Thanks from:
zorba11 (23-03-2009)
Old 17-03-2009, 11:27 AM   #13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Experience Points:
4,557, Level: 16
Points: 4,557, Level: 16 Points: 4,557, Level: 16 Points: 4,557, Level: 16
Activity: 1.0%
Activity: 1.0% Activity: 1.0% Activity: 1.0%
Thanks: Gave 44, Got 110
Posts: 1,055
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mmace View Post
ConvertXtoDVD only uses 1 thread and it's still stupidly fast
The current version also has a bug which causes glitches in the SD output, it's been mentioned on their forum for a couple of months now but remains unresolved as far as I am aware.
My best SD DVD results from AVCHD, once I altered the output to be upper field first, have come via my old fave Ulead VS11.5 with the output bit rate set to 9Mbps.
  Quote
Thanks from:
zorba11 (23-03-2009)
Old 17-03-2009, 11:34 AM   #14
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hillingdon /Hayes, Middx
Experience Points:
47,154, Level: 53
Points: 47,154, Level: 53 Points: 47,154, Level: 53 Points: 47,154, Level: 53
Activity: 2.7%
Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7%
Thanks: Gave 1,052, Got 2,970
Posts: 19,311
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by alpine101 View Post
The current version also has a bug which causes glitches in the SD output, it's been mentioned on their forum for a couple of months now but remains unresolved as far as I am aware.
Which and how common are they?

Quote:
My best SD DVD results from AVCHD, once I altered the output to be upper field first, have come via my old fave Ulead VS11.5 with the output bit rate set to 9Mbps.
How fast is it
Also 9Mbps is the absolute max encoding bitrate for SD mpeg2 isnt it? Some DVD players choke on this much
  Quote
Thanks from:
zorba11 (23-03-2009)
Old 17-03-2009, 6:53 PM   #15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Experience Points:
4,557, Level: 16
Points: 4,557, Level: 16 Points: 4,557, Level: 16 Points: 4,557, Level: 16
Activity: 1.0%
Activity: 1.0% Activity: 1.0% Activity: 1.0%
Thanks: Gave 44, Got 110
Posts: 1,055
Re: can HD footage be edited/converted down to SD ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by senu View Post
Which and how common are they?
I have a bought version 2, and I tried version 3 last week, but I got this pixellation on fast motion. When I investigated, I found that this was mentioned as an accepted bug. It may have only arisen on recent subversions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by senu View Post
How fast is it
Also 9Mbps is the absolute max encoding bitrate for SD mpeg2 isnt it? Some DVD players choke on this much
Not brilliantly quick, since of course there is no smart render. They work at 9Mbps on the 4 DVD players I've tried to date. 2 good ones, and a couple of cheapies. I use good TDK media since normally I'm making AVCHD on them.
  Quote
Thanks from:
senu (17-03-2009), zorba11 (23-03-2009)
Post Reply

Powered by  
 Latest popular product prices
Kodak PlaySport Zx5 
7 prices from
 £79.99 Click to show/hide the offers

Sony DCR-SX45E 
4 prices from
 £189.99 Click to show/hide the offers

Samsung SMX-F50BN 
4 prices from
 £119.99 Click to show/hide the offers

Toshiba Camileo H30 
1 price
 £107.00 Click to show/hide the offers

Panasonic SDR-S70 
7 prices from
 £116.00 Click to show/hide the offers

Panasonic HX-DC1 
7 prices from
 £123.95 Click to show/hide the offers

JVC GZ-HM30 
7 prices from
 £144.99 Click to show/hide the offers

Sony DCR-SX21E 
2 prices from
 £149.99 Click to show/hide the offers

 Updated February 13th at 9:30pm. Prices include delivery.


Thread information and display options
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off