AVCHD Compatibility and Archiving

[MikeSD]

This is somewhat related to another post I made but this one is specifically related to archiving videos and future compatibility.

It seems that my Sony HD AVCHD videos aren't compatible with my Canon AVCHD videos. Perhaps this is just because of file naming conventions... I don't know and haven't investigated that yet. But it occurred to me that archiving these and future changes might lead to not being able to view these in the future.

Example: on my stills, it's a pretty safe bet that there will be JPG viewers around for a long time. The standard is fairly fixed and there is rarely any compatibility issues for decades.

But on my videos, in just a few years, there have been changes that make it difficult to use one viewer to view both videos.

What do others do to assure (or increase their chances) that the videos they take today, will be viewable in the future? Do you convert them to another standard? Do you buy expensive software that can display all types? Do you just save your current viewing software? Do you just count on being able to find viewing software in the future?

[net]

Sony Vegas Platinum and Pro can read both Sony and Canon AVCHD - although I don't know if you can put the different brand files on the same track/or even same project.

You can download the trial versions of both of those to check them out - Platinum is much cheaper then Pro.

As far as AVCHD future-proofing; I think that as long as you can get the files read on a machine, there wil always be away to decipher the information/video. I wouldn't worry about converting your files to something more common like ".wmv" or ".mpg".
When storing your files for longterm. you could throw on some freeware mts converters if you wanted - if that will ease your mind for the future.

I would be more concerned about the way the media, that contains the video files, is stored; ie. hard drives, DVD disks. if the storage medium doesn't last, none of that matters, anyway.

If something more dependable becomes affordable and commonplace in the not-to-distant future; i.e. flash storage or some unforeseen, new technology - it would be a good idea to copy the files over to new storage medium when that time comes.
Imagine 10 years from now what technology will be like! Load an AVCHD file; maybe it will start playing a hologram version of it..who knows...

I think many people are going to be using The Cloud and backing up files with dependable companies like Google and Amazon. There are already these options available for free - but I think the online storage capacities will eventually get into the terrabytes, which is needed for storing a ton of video data.

[MikeSD]

Sony Vegas Platinum and Pro can read both Sony and Canon AVCHD - although I don't know if you can put the different brand files on the same track/or even same project.

You can download the trial versions of both of those to check them out - Platinum is much cheaper then Pro.I am already trying out the Pro version. Regarding the Platinum, I think there are two versions of that. Are those much of a drop from the Pro version. I doubt I will ever really need everything in the Pro version but would like the ability to burn Blu Ray discs. The comparison chart says that only the Pro version does that. However, on the description for the Platinum, it too says it can burn blu ray discs. It's a bit confusing.

Are there any important or necessary features one would be giving up going to the Platinum vs. the Pro version of Vegas?
I would be more concerned about the way the media, that contains the video files, is stored; ie. hard drives, DVD disks. if the storage medium doesn't last, none of that matters, anyway.I agree. I always have two copies of all my digitals and videos. I have a large external drive that is always larger than my computer drive, for backups only of digital and videos. I mainly depend on my personal storage (as opposed to online). I believe I have better control, especially with a backup. Besides, I don't trust online too much. ;) Whatever the future of storage is, there will always be a transition period where I can simply copy one archive to the newest.

[Bif]

Mike,

I don't worry about viewers, but I archive all original video on 3 external USB drives 2 of which I "mirror". Since the later versions of VLC ( a free player) will play AVCHD from my Canon I've pretty much quit using the Pixela Player.

I never did use the ImageMixer ( goshawful awkward!).

I copy the MTS files directly out of the stream folder to a project folder on the C drive, review and rename them from the 0000.MTS format to something that will mean something to me in the editing process, then copy that project folder to 2 external hard drives.

When done with editing, I render the project out to SD DVD's for whatever distribution I have to do (most folks still have SD players at home) and then to an HD file format (usually HD WMV) for viewing on a small media player connected to an HD TV with HDMI.

I use the little WD TV by Western Digital and usually play the HD WMV files from a "thumb" drive plugged into one of it's 2 USB inputs.

[MikeSD]

Will the WD Media drive also play raw mts video, as well as the HD WMV files? Looks like a nice gadget to have.

[net]

I am already trying out the Pro version. Regarding the Platinum, I think there are two versions of that. Are those much of a drop from the Pro version. I doubt I will ever really need everything in the Pro version but would like the ability to burn Blu Ray discs. The comparison chart says that only the Pro version does that. However, on the description for the Platinum, it too says it can burn blu ray discs. It's a bit confusing.

Are there any important or necessary features one would be giving up going to the Platinum vs. the Pro version of Vegas?I agree.
One of the main differences with Vegas Pro is that you can use unlimited tracks in a project. The other versions only have 4 tracks max for video and audio. If you don't think you'll be using more than 4 video tracks, I don't think Pro would be worth it. But if you do get it; Pro 8 is now a lot cheaper than it used to be. Pro 9 just came out.

If you're going to get Platinum, might as well buy the Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack (http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/moviestudiopp). You get a lot of extras for only $20 more vs. the regular Platinum version. (Note: never get the regular "Movie Studio", as it doesn't support HD.)

The extras in Pro Pack include 106 NewBlue transitions and effects. Some of them are very impressive, although I don't know how many, if any, are trial versions.
Also includes 1,001 sound effects, which is handy if you are making any kind of creative movie, etc. Downloading that many free fx would be tedious to search and find

Vegas is already an apt audio program, with included audio fx, but the Pro Pack also includes
Sound Forge Audio Studio (http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/audiostudio) which has some cool features including a vocal eraser plug-in which will allow you to remove the vocals from (most) famous songs and replace them with your own singing voice into the mix.
It also has a restoration tool so that you can take old vinyl records or cassettes, transfer them onto your pc and clean up the audio.

These extras are not included in Pro. The Platinum Pro Pack goes for only around $75. The Pro versions are in the $300-$500 range.

As far as the Blu-Ray burning, I think what they mean is that you can burn Blu-ray with their included version of DVD architect that comes with Pro, but you can only burn SD with DVD Architect included with Platinum/Platinum Pro Pack.
I believe you can still burn Blu-Ray from the timeline in Platinum; just not with their included burning software.