I used HD link (trial) for converting AVCHD footage and loved it. But I don't want to pay $400 for it!

I just read something that makes me believe that neoscene is essentially the same thing as HDlink, it's just the standalone version.

Is that correct? Will Neoscene perform the same functions as HDlink?

If you only want to convert AVCHD, then you are mostly correct, although there are a few more conversion options within HDlink. The big value add for NeoHD is FirstLight, if you haven't used it, you don't know what you are missing.

David, thanks for your post. FirstLight looks like a lot for the money.

There's also the scaling algorithms. Let's say you are working at 1920x1080 and you want to use some 720p footage. HD Link can scale it to the higher resolution during the conversion with algorithms that look one heck of a lot nicer than the scaling in your editor.

Jeff,

I started with NeoScene and then got HDLink when I found out I needed it for the scaling feature. The nice thing is, they applied full credit of my NeoScene purchase towards the HDLink purchase. So it's safe to start with NeoScene and upgrade later if you need to. Just need to have your license number handy during the ordering process.

Mark

Thanks for your feedback guys.

I'm going to be working with three cameras this year, two of which will be in 720p mode and one of which that will be in 1080i.

The vast majority of my output will be to SD. On occasion I will need the option to output to Bluray and SD.

Can you suggest a work-flow for each scenario?

My plan up to now has been to convert all footage with NeoScene to avi, then edit and render avis to mpeg 2.

Not sure about the time I'll need bluray, how to proceed. Any suggestions?

Jeff,

a couple thoughts:

It might be worth the investment to get hdlink for scaling purposes and first light.

However, I capture everything with Neoscene, I output 90% bluray so that is a simple job with Vegas or Edius.

For converting to Sd I use Vegas, though I do have virtual dub no normal mortals can even tell the difference so I keep it simple with Vegas.

for scaling up I use boris red instant hd.

It might be just quicker and simplier to use one piece of software. I should do this myself!!