HF-S100 File Conversion Help and ?'s

[Print Brigade]

I just purchased a HF-S100 and have not been able to find a program that will convert my MTS files to something that I can use without it being choppy on my PC. I filmed my footage in 24p mode to begin with.

I had a Sony VX2100 and was able to edit the DV footage just fine. I understand that AVCHD and the MTS files need much more computer power to work with but I thought I would be able to convert them with a program to make them usable for me without losing quality.

If anyone can suggest a good file conversion program to use and the proper settings when converting the files I would greatly appreciate it.

I am also filming a lot of skating that I want to put on Vimeo, I was wondering if I should be filming in 60i, 30i or 24p?

And finally, is it ok to bring the MTS files on my computer with a card reader, or should I be hooking my camera up to the computer to transfer the video clips?

Thanks for the help!
- Jamie

[DrDave]

Use DOS combine command to combine clips, Neoscene for pulldown.

[net]

You can try remuxts (http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=en&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yamabe.org%2Fsoftbody.html&sl=ja&tl=en&history_state0=), a freeware tool that will convert the transport stream into a program stream.

Scroll down to "MPEG2-TS Remux RemuxTS Tools v0.0.2.29 RemuxTS00229.zip" and download the zip file.


MPEG program stream (Wikipedia) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG_program_stream)
(Explanation of "program stream")

[net]

...or just buy an editor like Sony Vegas Platinum, drag mts files onto the timeline and render to whatever resolution, bitrate and file type you like.

[commalot]

1. I would shoot in 60i for skating. You can deinterlace later.
2. I like Neoscene for intermediate codec. Which NLE do you use? It only works in certain NLEs.
3. For card reader I've been using this; http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Class-Memory-Reader-TS16GSDHC6-S5W/dp/B0010Z28XG/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1250451939&sr=8-14 Works great.

[Print Brigade]

1. I would shoot in 60i for skating. You can deinterlace later.
2. I like Neoscene for intermediate codec. Which NLE do you use? It only works in certain NLEs.
3. For card reader I've been using this; http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Class-Memory-Reader-TS16GSDHC6-S5W/dp/B0010Z28XG/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1250451939&sr=8-14 Works great.

I am use Premiere Pro CS3 right now, will Neoscene work with that?

Also, thanks everyone for the help! I am not really sure what some of the stuff means, I am not the most computer savvy person but I will try my best to figure it out. I wish there was an instructional video or book for people like me, I know enough about the basics to get by but there is a lot I haven't figured out yet...

[commalot]

Yes, it will work in CS3. I like it especially since I just have a dual core and the CineForm avi files are very playable. Of course, once you start adding effects it will have to render in the timeline to play smoothly. http://www.cineform.com/neoscene/specifications.php

[Print Brigade]

I have another question, I've converted my MTS files in CineForm NeoScene now I import the converted AVI files into a new project in Premiere CS3 and I can not get the audio to import. What am I missing?

Also, when I try to export the video from Premiere the quality looks terrible, are there specific export settings that anyone can recommend to get the best quality video?

Sorry for these basic questions, I am just used to capturing footage from a DV tape and this AVCHD stuff is new to me.

[commalot]

I don't know why you're not getting audio. It comes in as part of the MTS file. I shoot at 24Mbps and generally encode the MTS file to High Quality CineForm avi. I've got CS4 and use H.264 in AME. For web I have a 1080P project and then scale to 1280x720. I've been using a bit rate of 8Mbps for H.264 but I don't think it needs to be that high. Is the audio track completely missing in the timeline or you're just not getting sound?

I did notice that creating another Cineform AVI off the original CF avi didn't look that great but I may be doing something wrong.

[Print Brigade]

yea the audio is just completely missing, I go to file import, import the AVI file and then drag it onto my timeline and it is just video, no audio.

thanks for answering my other questions though!

[commalot]

It can't be Neoscene. There's no pref or check box to add audio. BTW, is this a CineForm file or the MTS file on your timeline?