Working with footage from AVCHD cameras - should we be "unwrapping" video first ?

[Jack Frost]

Hello everyone,

For those who work with AVCHD video files, do you convert these, or "unwrap" them first, before you import them into your editor and pop them onto a timeline ?

I have never done this, and don't have any problem with footage, but I wonder if I should be doing something to make things faster.

I remember reading somewhere, that some were taking AVCHD video out of its "wrapper" some how, and then using that raw footage.

Any help is appreciated ! thank you

[Flozem]

I'm just editing the avchd footage in Vegas. I guess it only makes sense if you have either a terribly slow pc, different codecs (footage from multiple cameras) or a need to deinterlace... I'm in PAL-land so the latter is no issue for me too.

[zagnut]

It depends. If I shoot 30p, I just use the footage straight from the cam. If I shoot PF24, then I have to remove the pulldown and save it as Cineform 24p and edit that.

If it's straight progressive footage, there's really no need to "unwrap" it as you say. If the computer is a bit on the slow side and low on RAM, sometimes people will use a proxy file for editing.
If it's progressive footage in an interlaced stream, then yes, I would "unwrap" it to get the true progressive stream before editing.

As for pure interlaced (60i) footage...dunno. I never shoot the stuff.

[peterarcson]

What editing system are you using? What kind of platform and machine do you edit on? This is the necessary info before any logical discussion can take place. Also any advice would depend on your workflow and how much color grading or effects you add to your timeline.