Converting AVCHD to SD before editing

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DNathan

Well-known member
I've got a unique situation where the the client wants SD and the editor won't touch HD, so I need to convert AVCHD files to SD before mailing the HDD to the editor. Am I going to take a quality hit for converting before instead of after?

I'm assuming I'll need to first transcode the compressed AVCHD to .mov in Final Cut. Is there any way to do this in Compressor instead?
 
The editor won't touch HD? Yikes.

Yeah, you'll take a hit in quality for dropping to SD... the issue of converting before or after the edit really has to do with how much the video is processed in post. You can push higher HD codecs a lot more in post without impacting quality, but that's as opposed to something like DV/DVCAM. There are higher SD codecs that will hold up better. You need to figure out from the editor what SD codec(s) are acceptable for him/her.

DV is probably the least favorable (not that it's a terrible codec... so many of us used it for years...). DVCPRO 50 is better. But if the editor is wanting something like 10-bit uncompressed SD, then there's no point in avoiding something like ProRes 422LT for HD editing.

As for transcoding... Compressor is better than FCP. Just pull up a preset for the format you want and you're good to go. There's also MPEG StreamClip.
 
Yeah, yikes is right.

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure how to bring the raw files into Compressor. I try dragging the .MTS files in, but they don't stick. I also tried the .CPI files and even the PRIVATE folder for good measure. It seems I'll need to Log and Transfer them, then convert the clips. It seems odd to make the tiny files massive and then make them medium.
 
DNathan said:
I try dragging the .MTS files in, but they don't stick.
Click to expand...

Aaaaand... there's your culprit. As far as I've experienced, .mts is a wrapper for video files that throws a wrench in the Final Cut Studio gears. These need to be converted with something else... I do believe that Squared5's MPEG StreamClip can handle .mts files.
 
Aah, you are all THAT! I would never have known about Squared5. I'll download it and give it a try.

BTW, how significant is the quality drop by converting to SD before vs after?
 
DNathan said:
BTW, how significant is the quality drop by converting to SD before vs after?
Click to expand...

About 600 pixels, vertically, either way you go.

But seriously... converting to SD, especially if it's a compressed SD codec, before the edit may not look as clean since effects and filters will be rendered at a lower, compressed codec.
 
That's a good point. I guess I'll have to be especially diligent to get a proper white balance and all that.
 
There is a program called ClipWrap. You can convert the MTS files to DV. It costs $50 but from what I've seen on these internets, it can be found at various websites known for supporting One-Eyed Willie!
 
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