So what are we using to edit?
 

Got my NX5U about a week ago and now I'm thinking about editing. Two issues seem to have come up already: ability to edit the 24Mbps AVCHD stream and the ability to use the PCM audio option. What software are you using?

Edius Pro 5.5

Ron Evans

PC version of Adobe PPro CS5 ingests both AVCHD and LPCM. I've used the lastest Cineform NeoHD with mixed results. I liked color balancing and matching with First Light (which seemed to better match my XH-A1 and NX5 than Premiere's color correction tools). However, I ran into stability problems using NeoHD build 257 it with CS5. While the most recent build (261, I think) which seems much more stable, but have not had have time to see if it resolved the instability on my system. Instead went ahead and finished the project (a dance recital shot with two AVCHD and three HDV cams) using the native streams in Premiere. What I saw was that PPro CS5 tended to bog down in the latter part of long-form multi-cam timelines (over 40 minutes) on my system (ASUS P6t D v2, 12 gB RAM, GTX 260 with MPE hardware enabled). The work-around was to divide the project up into shorter segments and use nested sequences to compile to a final timeline.

Avid MC5 also seems to work with both AVCHD and LPCM although, on my system, it is insisting I first import the files through Avid's conversion to Quicktime. I've just started to get Avid set up to run and somebody else may be able to give you better info.

I haven't tried Edius since getting my NX5, but all accounts seem positive.

With Edius 5.5 you just import your footage and drop it straight to the timeline, no need to transcode.

MC5 here. I have been using the mpeg files to mix with my PD170 though.I edit with Avid Liquid right now. I am trying to catch up with my editing so i can work(play) on MC5.I did some freelance work for a company and he edits with Edius 5.5 and produced a short show for our local station. I watch it in HD and I was amazed at how great the NX5 looked over the air. Here is a link to the show in low res. preview





Dan
Forever Moments Video Productions

I use Sony Vegas Pro 9. It works fine in SD and HD resolutions. I use dolby audio but tried LPCM also and didn't noticed any problems.

I'm saving up and hope to get a copy of Windows Movie Maker one of these days.

How are you getting AVCHD into MC5?

Perrone,

I click on file then import. Find the file and click open.





Dan
Forever Moments Video Productions

Ok, thought you were doing something fancy! :)

edius 5.5. works great!

I can't import the .mts file into FCP :-(

Thanks for the responses.
Dan, I'm an Avid Liquid user also but am moving on now that it's EOL and I have an AVCHD camera. I need a method that is faster than first converting all my AVCHD to MPEG2. Otherwise I wouldn't switch.
Cristian, have you experienced issues with using the FX (24Mbps) files?

Marc,

I am not converting the files. I write to the cards in 1080i FX mode and the hard drive in 480i 4:3 or 16:9. Did you take advantage of the $495.00 for MC4/5 for Liquid users? MC5 will import AVCHD files. I tried Edius and could not get used to it. I think MC5 makes more cents to me, but it's a personal choice. I do like there multi cam feature in Edius.

Dan
Forever Moments Video Productions

You can easily re-wrap your files to Quicktime .mov files using ClipWrap

But, you very well might run into problems working with native AVCHD files. As the super high compressed nature of the AVCHD codec is Hell on your processor.

The same goes for many computers, weather PC or MAC. As at this time you have to have some serious horsepower to edit native AVCHD media. AVCHD was designed as a delivery not editing codec.

In many cases it's best to convert to an intermediate for the edit.

None so far but I didn't use Vegas extensively, just a few small projects until now.

I have had no problems with mixing 17mbps from the SR11 and XR500 and 24mbps and LPCM audio from the NX5U. Just finished several projects multicam using NX5U, SR11 and XR500. All edited with Edius Pro 5.5 with two tracks(SR11 and XR500) converted to Canopus HQ and the NX5U track native AVCHD. All projects were theatre shows over two hours each. No problems on my Q9450 PC. Audio edited in Vegas , Bluray authored with DVD Architect, SD DVD with DVDLab Pro. Bluray encoding with Vegas and SD downconvert/encoding with TMPGenc .

Ron Evans

Decided against the Avid option. It's upgrade to PP5 (never liked it much), Edius or Vegas. I like the Vegas audio suite as well.
Time for an evening of free trial downloads, I think.
Thanks all.

Vegas Pro 9. Using Cineform Neo HD to convert to intermediate files. AX-2000 & SR11 in multi-cam edits (up to 6 cameras).

OK, I'm game but how long does it take to render the Cineform files? I shoot primarily documentary and nature subjects. Very high ratios. That's why I'm walking away from Liquid. Converting hours of material feels like a total waste of time.

I only use Cineform files as proxies right now due to the length of my current projects (1.5 to 3.0 hours long) and the converted files are huge. Older projects that are shorter in length, I keep the Cineform files as archive footage (they're that good). May want to check with Cineform on conversion time. It's a subjective matter depending on your patience and computer equipment :) By the way, I only convert to Cineform because most of my projects are multi-cam. If it's only one or two tracks of video, Vegas Pro 9 has no problems editing native AVCHD files.

Very helpful. I only shoot single camera so not so much of an issue with me.

Using Vegas 9e Pro, Done several projects...no problems with AVCHD footage on my i7Core setup, even with multicam projects..
I have a AX2000 due next week to add to my cam collection, should do fine in vegas....

You don't do it directly.... us log and transfer, and FCP should recognize your media straight from the camera.
Details are at http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/f...CAM_FCP_FR.pdf

How many tracks do you multicam David? I have the same setup but I bog down with anything more than 2 tracks on multicam. I'm using cineform to convert everything. I creates HUGE files bug HD space is cheap so I bite the bullet and go.

OK Michael. Thanks. I was able to capture AVCHD files from a Pana HMC 72 though using FCP log and transfer. It should be the same with files from the NX5 right?

My school will purchase Adobe CS5 Production Suite for me next week, with arrival in another week??? I'll let you know how it goes then. I'm also expecting an i7 based 64-bit Win 7 edit machine a few weeks later. Should be interesting. I don't mind editing at low-res, as long as I can post the final prod in HD and downconvert beautifully to DVD.

Jeff, I do up to 3 AVCHD cams (1-Canon HG21, 2-Canon HG10s) in Multicam with no problem in Vegas 9 on my desktop, however when using my Laptop with 3 multicam work flows I do use Neoscene otherwise the laptop struggles a bit......Here are my computer Specs...

Home build Desktop (All parts via NewEgg)

Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit, Vegas 9Pro 64Bit
MSI X58Pro Motherboard
i7Core 920 2.67Ghz
12Gig DDR3 1333 OCZ
GTX295 EVGA 2Gig Video card Nvidia
7.1 Auzentech Prelude Soundcard
3-1TB 32Mb Cache 7200 Hard Drives
2-LG Blu-ray Burners
800Watt PS
24" HDMI Acer LCD
23" Dell HDMI LCD
All in one card reader
Thermaltake Full Tower Spedo case

2nd System Laptop

Dell Studio 1747
Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit, Vegas 9Pro 64Bit
i7Core 720QM Quadcore
6Gig DDR3 1066
ATI 4650 1Gig Video Card
8x DVD+R/-R Burner
2-500Gig 7200 Hard Drives
17.3" 1600x900 HD Screen
All in one card reader
Firewire
ESATA connection

I'm using Final Cut Studio 2 using the log and transfer option and editing has been just fine. On my MBP with the SD card slot, the log and transfer window comes up immediately, on my Mac Pro, using an SD Card Reader or hooking the cam up USB it takes a minute to show up in the log and transfer window (about 15-20 minutes). But once it's up, it's smooth sailing transferring it in.

I've also used Toast Titanium 10 to convert the raw .mts files to .mov, but the audio is off by 6 frames. I go this route if I don't have time to fuss with waiting for the Mac Pro to read the card. And on some occasions it's been a faster transfer, just don't forget to move the audio :).

Ah! OK. Thanks for the link.