Computer vfor AVCHD

[John Lewis]

What is the minimum spec PC to handle these files in realtime
I use Edius 3.62 but I am also registered for 4.61 but dont use it

[GrassValley_KH]

There really isn't a modern computer out there yet for responsive, realtime editing of native AVCHD, in full quality. You're either going to accept the slow, sluggish performance it yields, or switch to an intermediate format, like Canopus HQ.

(Or use another NLE application that merely downgrades the playback quality)

[Deeter2]

"There really isn't a modern computer out there yet for responsive, realtime editing of native AVCHD, in full quality"

thought we may have achieved this by now!!
Nehalem time coming!!

[Jerry]

"There really isn't a modern computer out there yet for responsive, realtime editing of native AVCHD, in full quality"

thought we may have achieved this by now!!
Nehalem time coming!!

We achieve it, but they keep changing the requirements. The heavier the compression the more horsepower needed. If 16 cores can't do it, forget about it.

[wags]

O yes the AVCHD codec and hardrvie camera's .... 1 step forward and 3 backwards....by the time you convert it to a easy codec to edit with, then archive the raw footage you would of been better of just ******* in a HDV tape camera and throwing the tape in the cubboard already archived.

And as for archiving the raw footage onto hardrives.......yikes....and how long does it take to burn a blu_Ray...ha ha...Yes Vegas can edit it but I suggest you go and download it and try for yourself....

Trouble is allot of folks have been sucked into buying them but in the end it's alot easier/faster to just use a HDV taped camera as you can edit raw HDV easy.

[Deeter2]

True...
I just went through this analysis and ending up buying 2 Canon HDV tape cameras recently.
However, just like previously, I am still not happy with HDV for Dynamic video...
Let hope that AVCHD is better at that (pro excluded)...

[John Lewis]

Thanks for your replies and it sound like a question of Are we ready ?
Maybe stick to HDV and tape for now and I gues maybe a Core2 duo or better still a quad core is the answer

Thanks

[wags]

Well I can have 8 tracks of raw HDV m2t in pips with a title playing back in real time here.

With AVCHD I cannot even have one.

[UlfLaursen]

Hi

I have tried to edit AVCHD natively, and it is not the best experience I have had - even on a quadcore with plenty of RAM. You defenatly have to convert to another codec before edit - no question about that for me.

For me, on the same quad, it takes probably the same time for me to capture 1 hrs. HDV than to convert 1 hrs. AVCHD to HQ codec, so I will not save time here.

What I like is the idea of going tapeless, the preview option of seperate clips in the camera and the workflow. I have set up a workflow that automaticly copies content of my cardreader to the media area of my NAS at insert and I only need to drag the clips to the convertericon to convert to HQ.

I guess it's probably the same for people having a stationary DV/HDV VTR not having to pull out camera, connect etc.

/Ulf

[SONYMAN]

I had tried Vegas 8, which could handle AVCHD in real time, however, I need time to familiar with the software

[SRsupport]

Real time in crap mode. Well if to each its own. I would not want to edit a whole program in crap mode.
There is no computer fast enough to edit it in fullframe.

[wags]

Ha ha...that describes it perfectly...I'll remember that......
I installed Vegas and gave it a try but I cannot work like that.
Need a nice big sharp preview window.

[Ron Evans]

Real time in crap mode. Well if to each its own. I would not want to edit a whole program in crap mode.
There is no computer fast enough to edit it in fullframe.

Well AVCHD runs realtime at 720x540 in Vegas on my quad core thats fine for me as my monitor can not display much more anyway, and my editing using Edius is on the same monitor with same screen size!! So for editing AVCHD with HDV native files it does work in Vegas 8. Is it real full resolution, No, but I don't think its real until one watches on a real TV using a real playback device. My main editor is Edius but there are things that Vegas does that Edius cannot. Audio is a no contest, keyframe everything, no contest, multicam Edius is far better, no contest Edius. DVD architect works well with video encoded in Vegas identifying named markers as chapter points etc. For the couple of Blu-Ray discs I have made I have edited in Edius in HQ ( mix of AVCHD and HDV), used finished HQ file in Vegas to encode and set chapter marks and authored with Architect. Works very well.
To date AVCHD is a consumer format and at this is it is excellent. I got my SR11 to video grandkids etc in HD rather than carry around my FX1. I then used on a project as a fixed camera since the show was over 2 hours and I didn't have time to change tapes in two cameras. Video was excellent, easy a match for the FX1 and with no attention on my part at almost 1/4 the price. The logging on the computer with Sony Browser software is also great, easy to find clips or photos by file or calendar view. Yes it has a backup problem, files are stored by default in MY Pictures and I just get backup with my normal backup routine. I also make AVCHD discs on normal DVD's of each of the family video groups, just like one would for digital photos. For projects thats different. To date i have only done a few and have backed up to Blu-Ray as a data file with all the other project data to take advantage of the available disc space. Disc was $12 so it cost a little more than tape for two hours but I couldn't have put all the other project data on a tape!!!! With full verify it burned in about realtime to a 2x Blu-Ray. 4x Blu-Rays are now appearing and at the moment my LG burner is in an external USB2 box when installed with the SATA connection it may be a little faster.
Ron Evans