how to organize the .mts files on my hard drive?

the free P2 DVCproHD transcoder available on Panny's site is the most convenient for me.
fast transcode times, smaller file sizes than cineform or dnxhd avi clips, and mac users can edit it too.

get it here:
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/desk/e/download.htm#avchd

the downside everyone will tell you is that your full HD 1920x1080p clips will be converted to 1440x1080p. for my work i can't detect any loss in quality and the smaller file sizes and mac-compatibility are worth it.

if that doesn't cut the mustard,
use Avid's free DNxHD codec:
http://cdn.pinnaclesys.com/SupportFiles/attach/PC_AvidCodecsLE_2.1.zip
this only includes the codecs, so you'll need an application like TMPGEnc to actually process the transcodes.

i realize i mistakenly said that DNxHD was an avi codec, but it's wrapped in quicktime.
this is very high quality, with lots of different settings, and same file sizes as Canopus or Cineform codecs.
 
great info once again averan thanks! But why does everyone always plug cineform and this is the first time ive heard of the free panasonic transcoder?

can the cineform files stand up to more color correction and general wear and tear of editing than the free transcoder? and does cineform not re-scale the aspect ratio?
 
averan said:
the free P2 DVCproHD transcoder available on Panny's site is the most convenient for me.
fast transcode times, smaller file sizes than cineform or dnxhd avi clips, and mac users can edit it too.

get it here:
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/desk/e/download.htm#avchd

the downside everyone will tell you is that your full HD 1920x1080p clips will be converted to 1440x1080p. for my work i can't detect any loss in quality and the smaller file sizes and mac-compatibility are worth it.

if that doesn't cut the mustard,
use Avid's free DNxHD codec:
http://cdn.pinnaclesys.com/SupportFiles/attach/PC_AvidCodecsLE_2.1.zip
this only includes the codecs, so you'll need an application like TMPGEnc to actually process the transcodes.

i realize i mistakenly said that DNxHD was an avi codec, but it's wrapped in quicktime.
this is very high quality, with lots of different settings, and same file sizes as Canopus or Cineform codecs.
Click to expand...

I'll give tmpg a try. What I don't like is that the dvcproHD codec loses resolution. Since AVCHD is already compressed, throwing away even more information on a transcode is not up to my standards. I wish Panasonics free transcoder could handle other installed codecs, like DNxHD or even there own AVC-I (100).
 
the cineform codecs allow you to upconvert the 4:2:0 avchd to 4:2:2 avi, while also creating an intra-frame editable format. this is much better for retaining quality under intensive color correction, chroma keying, or fx. it also retains the full raster 1920px width.

you can pixel peep all day, but if something works well for you, then why not use it?
i'm referring to dvcpro HD here. if you notice the loss in detail from the 1440px width scaling, and it isn't acceptable for your project, then don't use it.

for most of my work, its perfect and not a problem. and a whole lot of professionals out there have been using the P2 workflow for years without problems.

use what works for you, knowing the limitations of each option.

my recommendation, for absolute highest quality, for free, use the Avid DNxHD codec.
it does create bigger files though than DVCproHD, so if that's an issue.....

anyways, hope that helps!

ps. DNxHD can do 4:2:2 as well....basically equal to cineform, except its free!
 
Can anyone point me to a good resource for learning more about transcoding? I'm not sure i understand all the settings ill be asked to set when transcoding from my HMC150 footage. I will probably be using Cineform as ill be doing some green screen work and a lot of motion graphics and ive heard it can stand up to the most work of that sort.
 
I've been looking for a more user friendly transcode (for DNxHD). I'm working with someone that has a FFMPEG front end. I'm helping him with some changes (suggestions really and beta testing it). I'll post a link here soon.
 
The MainConcept transcoder from Panasonic (which goes to DVCPro HD) has almost no settings to mess with. Here's a screenshot (everything is greyed out because I'm transcoding, but you get the idea)

mainconcept_transcoder.jpg


The only setting under "options" is whether you want the preview on every frame, once per second, or off. I leave mine off because I understand it slows down renders a little.
 
Now if they were to add the option to choose which installed codec you wanted to use then I would have no use for any other transcoder. Or even a avchd to avc-i 100 transcoder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top