Converting AVCHD to DNxHD

L

lirany

Active member
Someone asked me to explain how to convert to DNxHD using Avanti so here it is:
Install:
Avanti - http://avanti.arrozcru.com/
AviSynth - http://www.free-codecs.com/download/AviSynth.htm
K-lite codec pack - http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack.htm
DNxHD codec - http://avidtechnology.custhelp.com/...tbl=9&p_id=76710&p_created=1223479730&p_olh=0

After installing, download FFmpeg: http://tripp.arrozcru.org/counter/u...p://tripp.arrozcru.com/builds/ffmpeg-15815.7z
Or any new build from here: http://tripp.arrozcru.org/
Extract it to where you installed Avanti-gui in a sub-directory called "ffmpeg".

create a text file containing:
DirectShowSource("<file name>", fps=<fps of file>, convertfps=true)
E.G: DirectShowSource("00030.MTS", fps=25, convertfps=true)
note: you don't have to add: "fps=<fps of file>, convertfps=true" but sometimes HMC151 files comes with the wrong FPS tag in their header, so that fixes it, you can fix it later on in avanti if you want to)

Rename text file to <Any file name>.avs

Run avanti-gui.
Press the folder button on the upper menu:
im1.JPG

Than Find DNxHD codec and make sure it's got a name (By right clicking, choosing the wizard and changing the label).
im2.JPG

Than press the arrow icon above and do the following:
1. Choose the Avs file as source.
2. Choose a destinated .mov file for export.
3. Change Audio codec to wav/48000 (Bit rate make no difference with this)
4. Change video settings to: Container: mov, Codec: DNxHD (Or any name you have given it), everything else keep at source and change bitrate according to your needs. (you can find all availible bitrates here: http://www.avid.com/resources/whitepapers/dnxhd.pdf (Don't use any bit rate other than these or it won't work)
im4.JPG
5. enter on User video options: "-threads 8" (This improves performance)

Just make it identical to this: (Except filenames and bitrate)
im3.JPG

Enjoy!
 
I've yet to receive my HMC, but for us Mac users, would it be as simple as importing as native AVCHD and then transcoding to DNxHD into MC?
 
Gymnut808 said:
I've yet to receive my HMC, but for us Mac users, would it be as simple as importing as native AVCHD and then transcoding to DNxHD into MC?
Click to expand...


I was totally against buying software... but not to sound like a broken record.... Voltaic is the best option for converting to any format from the HMC150's .mts files

i mean its only $30... lol
 
Thanks for the instructions. I was close to getting this working!

I'm on the road without my computer, so it'll be a few days before I can try this out!

lirany, You rock!
 
Got this working! Thanks for the help.

The DNxHD codec previews really well on the Vegas timeline.
 
PerroneFord said:
Your machine must be a LOT faster than mine!
Click to expand...

I believe (i'm not sitting at it at the moment) I have a core2 T8300 processor (penryn-3) with 3 gig RAM in my laptop. Video card is an nvidia 8600m GT.

Edit: Also, only tried 720p24 footage so far.

Also, to ensure I'm encoding to 10bit using avisynth do I just change to YUY colorspace?
 
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kurtmo said:
I believe (i'm not sitting at it at the moment) I have a core2 T8300 processor (penryn-3) with 3 gig RAM in my laptop. Video card is an nvidia 8600m GT.

Edit: Also, only tried 720p24 footage so far.

Also, to ensure I'm encoding to 10bit using avisynth do I just change to YUY colorspace?
Click to expand...

Yes 720/24p @ 90/60Mbits works fine on my humble machine as well.
1080p is more consuming, it's not working for me real time, it might be my hard drives though, in RAID 0 it might work.

as for 10bit colorspace I'm not sure, look here to find the correct colorspace:
http://www.fourcc.org/yuv.php

But make sure you use the right bitrate for it as in the chart.
 
I read somewhere that only 8-bit is working at the moment, but 10-bit is in development.
 
I used tmpgenc xpress to transcode the files to dnxhd. anybody tried this? hows the quality?
 
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Thanks, Lirany!

Thanks, Lirany!

Got that working pretty good- except for a "Fast Import" into Avid. The slower import looks, plays fine, though.

I need to ask: Anyone getting "fast Imports" into Avid from AVCHD/Avanti/DNxHD?

MS
 
Why all this hassle? ffmpeg alone is enough to convert MTS streams to .mov with DNxHD using one single command line call.
 
Thanks for your help. pailes: I am a bit phobic around code, so the Avanti GUI gives me the crutch I need. I have found that I do not need to make an xxx.avs file as the original recipe above indicated. I will save your dnxhd code for when I graduate. For instance- I don't know where or how to run the code.

Perrone and all: I've played with MPeg StreamClip as well. Are you getting "Fast Imports" into an avid?
 
I got it...

When creating the DNxHD files, select the RGB Levels radio button at the top. That seems to allow Media Composer to fast import without having to do a color space conversion.
 
Hi- Which program are you referring to? Avanti, Avisynth, MPEG_StreamClip or Other?

I tried RGB24 Color space on Avanti, but it did not Fast Import, btw.
 
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