AVCHD issues / Batch Rendering.

[Cameron Schwartz]

added note / question.

How much quality will I lose to convert AVCHD Full HD footage to NTSC DV? Final output will be google video and DVD.

[Steve Rhoden]

You need to take note..That AVCHD is not really an edit friendly
format, and it is best to convert it to an MPEG file.
Sure you will suffer some quality loss…but not which you can
actually notice.

Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Creative Arts Director and Film Maker.
Portfolio at:
http://www.youtube.com/hentys

[Douglas Spotted eagle]

AVCHD is an MPEG format, Steve. 🙂
Slower/older systems simply can’t handle the immense compression of AVCHD, but new systems can handle 1920 or 1440 on the timeline in the same experience as HDV. We do this every day with some of the crash-cam stuff. But it MUST be a newer computer, and nicely tweaked without any background processes.
Cameron, you can batch render AVCHD using the Vegas Batch Script found in Tools/Scripting, rendering to HDV or .mxf file format. It’s still an MPEG to MPEG/4:2:0 to 4:2:0 process, so you lose little but time. It’s a slow process if your computer is slower/older, and your post suggests it is.
We cut over 1000 videos a couple weeks ago at the National Skydiving Championships, and easily half of that content was from a variety of AVCHD cameras. We multicammed the Canopy Relative Work, and in some cases, cut up to four cams as a four-way window using track motion, AVCHD source. Playback of the four was about 18fps, but single tracks were always solid 60i.
High compression formats require fast computers, and lower compression formats can squeeze by with lesser compression.
AVCUpshift or GearShift, or Cineform if you need the extra power, are all good options too. You merely need to decide whether your per-hour value is worth 50.00 or not. For me, it’s a no brainer…my time is worth so much more than tying up CPU cycles on a slow machine (I use UpShift on my MacBook Pro/Bootcamp quite regularly, it’s old).

HTH?

Douglas Spotted Eagle
VASST

Certified Sony Vegas Trainer
Aerial Camera/Instructor

[Cameron Schwartz]

I actually don’t have an older system, which is kind of killing me.

Intel DuoCore 3.0ghz with 4GB Ram. Running Vista x64.

Should I disable all antivirus and other applications while editing? Is this possibly taking up crucial power that I am needing?

Any other suggestions?

[Steve Rhoden]

Thanks for the correction there Spot….lol
Should have said a more edit friendly MPEG format.

Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Creative Arts Director and Film Maker.
Portfolio at:
http://www.youtube.com/hentys

[Kert]

I agree with DSE. Additionally, in my experience you need Quad Core. (I have intel Q6600 chip, 4Gig memory) I can edit four tracks of AVCHD. Dual core is spotty, may work with single timeline AVCHD.
JK

[Gilles Pialat]

Also, second side question, is there a way to batch render multiple files?

You can try my free script « Proxy Stream » :
https://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=582248

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