Just got the Sony HDR-SR12, and it's a very sweet cam. I've had some trial and error converting the AVCHD files but am good now. I had a concern with one of the inserts Sony puts in the box that states that AVCHD files won't play on anything other than Blu-Ray? Has anyone had problems burning AVCHD projects to standard Dual Layer discs?
I'm new to AVCHD, but am assuming that once Adobe supports the format, Encore/AfterEffects/PrePro would end up converting those files before writing to a movie (to allow better compatibility across players)? Or did I just purchase a very expensive paperweight?
Re: AVCHD and Blu-Ray by Vincent Becquiot on Mar 25, 2008 at 5:54:11 pm
Well, you certainely wouldn't be burning that format to DVD, unless it was for playback on a computer with the AVCHD codec. My advice is to convert to uncompressed, work with that in your editor, then export to the only available DVD format, which is mpeg2.
Re: AVCHD and Blu-Ray by Marc Sandlhauser on Mar 25, 2008 at 6:23:01 pm
Thanks much, Vincent. That's what I figured.
So why would Sony create this codec if you only have to convert it for mainstream playback anyway? I mean, I realize it makes smaller file sizes without loss of quality for HDD based cams, but I guess I'm still wondering what other benefit there is to this (at least until 2015 when most people have a Blu-Ray player).
Re: AVCHD and Blu-Ray by mike velte on Mar 25, 2008 at 6:25:27 pm
AVCHD is actually the H264 codec which is supported by the Blu-ray format. I dont have any, but try importing a native file into Encore. You wont be able to edit it, but might be able to create a Blu-ray disc...if you have an extra $15.
Re: AVCHD and Blu-Ray by Vincent Becquiot on Mar 25, 2008 at 6:53:16 pm
Many of these cameras also come (or came) with DVD burners, so you could just walk away with a DVD. It's obviously not meant to be edited, but it's still much smaller and efficient than Mpeg2. As you said, it's great for when Bluray becomes mainstream (if it ever does), but to go to DVD or edit with Premiere you'll have to convert it I'm afraid.
BTW, there are editors that do support AVCHD, including I think Sony's Vegas (which makes sense)
