convert Canon’s MXF files with high quality?

[JohnnyEdwards]

I have a Canon XF100. Being strictly an amateur, I would like to avoid the expense of full blown NLEs such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Vegas Pro or Edius 6 that can handle Canon’s MXF files.

So here’s my question: What formats can I convert to and still get 100%, high quality/top quality HD video that would be equal to the video I would get with any of the aforementioned editors?

Many thanks in advance for any response!

 

[Exact]

Hmmm..... there is no free lunch here. If you want 100% quality you need to convert to lossless, but then your cheaper NLE may not cope with it

Since you mention Vegas & Edius I'm going to assume you are on Windows and not Mac. With that in mind, you're going to need to tell us what NLE you have in mind, because not all NLEs will work with all codecs, so it's going to depend on what cheaper NLE you plan on using.