Best Software for Converting .m2ts to User Friendly & Small files

[dodycats]

Hi -- I am very early on the learning curve -- have a new Canon HG10 -- and would appreciate advice on what is the best program for converting my videos (.m2ts) to a compressed (ie small) file type that I can email to friends and that most folks can view using Windows Media Player or whatever they happen to have on their PC (ie generic). I have successfully copied the files to DVDs and they seem to work on most DVD players...so far so good. But I also want to be able to email them to friends so need smaller and more widely-compatible files. There are lots of file conversion programs available but I don't know enough to distinguish among them and make a choice. I need something that's pretty easy to use as I won't ever be a professional -- just a hobbyist. I don't care how much the program costs (within reason) -- I need it to be pretty straightforward and easy to use. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!!
THANKS
Cindy

[Eugenia Loli-Queru]

There are no freeware conversion applications that are easy to use that support AVCHD. AVCHD is new, and so open source support (that usually freeware apps use), is very new. You might be able to do the job with the new ffdshow beta build and avisynth, but as I said, that's not easy to use.

You will have to buy Vegas Platinum or another video editor to get this done.

[dodycats]

So you recommend Vegas Platinum as the best program and suitable for a new user?
Thanks

[Eugenia Loli-Queru]

Sure. Then, you can use either vegas to export in WMV, or you can use Vegas to export the m2ts files to an intermediate lossless file, and then use another converter to convert that to another format. But the initial step, which requires a recognizing of the m2ts file format, you can only achieve these days with a few video editors. Until the open source community catches up.

[Lunchbox]

what about Super or windows media encoder? u r talking about just converting but not editing. right?

[racer-x]

I do everything the hard way, but it's free and usually better.......

You might want to try Alltoavi. I never tested it, but it looks like just the ticket and it's free.

[Eugenia Loli-Queru]

SUPER uses these OSS libs I mentioned above. No AVCHD support yet. You will find that MOST converters out there don't support AVCHD at all yet, and others are just too buggy for it. At this point in time, the best bet is to buy a video editor that supports AVCHD properly, if not just for the sole purpose of converting and not editing.

[dodycats]

Thank you -- all of you. I don't plan to do any editing...just wanted to convert to emailable formats and sizes....
Cindy

[Eugenia Loli-Queru]

There is a way to use freeware utilities to do the job. But it's tricky. Here's what you need to do:
You need to install the latest generic ffdshow build from clsid: http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...roup_id=173941
Then you need the splitters here (the .ax files should be placed on the ffdshow folder on "Program Files"): http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...roup_id=205650
and if you want install media player Classic too to playback AVCHD.

Then, you have to download SUPER and make your conversion and make sure that "directshow decode" option is checked. http://www.softpedia.com/progDownloa...oad-23696.html

Worked for me right now, but as I said, it requires some hoops, and some luck.

[jlaurie]

i hope this is the right thread.
I'm usiing my hg10. I have been dragging my files off the cam direct to pc instead of using the canon software, because all my vid files are not showing up in the viewer?
So first is there any important difference between the dragged .MTS vs the software transfere .m2ts?

I use cineform aspect hd and hdlink to convert to int med form to edit in p pro cs3. I've done fine with 60i thru cs3 to dvd but now am playing with 35mm adapter and 24p. I'm having some issues and questions.

I want to play the 1440x1080 file on my playstation3 to my 720p tv and or make hddvd's or blu-ray writing to a dvd5 dvd-r.
I can transfer files via wireless server to the playstation but the mts (which is suppose to be playable) isn't recognized. The intermediate avi's from hdlink aren't recognized either by the ps3. When I look at the avi intermediate from hdlink it has changed to 29.xx fps from the 23.xx? why. When I import the intermediate avi to premiere and the timeline and export to movie the resulting avi set for 1440x1080 shows up in windows media player as 720x526?

These .MTS and avi's are somehow different and not readily recognized by some programs that suppposidely take this form. (eg. the intermediate avi from hdlink shows some missing parameter errors with sonic's cinevision.)

(as aside, am I suppose to check the 3:2 pull down on hdlink when the source is 24p from the hg10?)

thanks,
Jack

[bluegrass]

dodycats - i don't believe you mentioned what program you used to capture your files from your camera to your computer. after you have captured a video file from your camera with your nle, even if you don't want to edit the clip, you drop it on your timeline and than proceed to the output mode of the nle. there you should be able to designate any number of file formats which should be suitable to send to your friends. i would suggest outputting as a wmv file. you can choose a number of different resolutions to accomodate the best viewing and a size you feel comforatble with emailing to your friends.

[Dennis Vogel]

He's not using a capture program. He's dragging the files from the HG10's hard drive.

Good luck.

Dennis

[Eric Larson]

Here is link to guide for AVCHD conversion
http://forum.videohelp.com/topic346331.html

[Albert Jensen]

Hello
I noticed this thread a couple of days ago. You suggest using Vegas Platinum for editing the m2ts streams. I tried a trial version of Vegas Platinum 9, and it works perfectly. The only problem is that it will export only in streams (mp4 or mp2) of a lesser quality - up to 1440 * 1080. I still need a 1920*1080 output (with both audio and video).

Any suggestions for a better editor. One that will produce streams in 1920*1080 quality.

Kind regards
Albert Jensen

[sedate]

Hello
I noticed this thread a couple of days ago. You suggest using Vegas Platinum for editing the m2ts streams. I tried a trial version of Vegas Platinum 9, and it works perfectly. The only problem is that it will export only in streams (mp4 or mp2) of a lesser quality - up to 1440 * 1080. I still need a 1920*1080 output (with both audio and video).

Any suggestions for a better editor. One that will produce streams in 1920*1080 quality.

Kind regards
Albert Jensen

i don't think you will find any encoder converting 1440x1080i to 1920x1080i . cos' output of hg10 is 1440x1080 as interlaced.. ofcourse you convert 1440x1080 as progressive(1920x1080p). it is ok. but you will see a huge interlace while watching it 1920x1080 full hd TV
Hg10 is not a full hd camcoder ..smilar like hd ready or true hd .

you can do it hg21 .canon says it records 1920x1080i .you can do by hg21


Manufacturer Description by Canon
The Canon HG10 AVCHD hard disk drive camcorder delivers high definition technology with the effortless ease of recording video directly onto a hard disk. Incorporating the latest AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) format, it puts superb image reproduction and advanced features at your fingertips in a compact AVCHD Format HDD camcorder, which means you'll carry it everywhere you want to capture the special moments in your life in true HD.

[CycleWriter]

True HD video standard is 1440X1080. The only difference between 1440X1080 and 1920X1080 is pixel ratio. 1.0 vs 1.33 horizontally. The number of actual pixels, and therefore picture quality, is the same. Full HD in broadcast TV is 1440X1080i, but a true HDTV is capable of 1920X1080p. The only way to see that full HD is via HD DVD or Blu-Ray as no broadcaster is currently using 1080p for its content. You can see 1920X1080i from the HV recording by connecting to your HDTV using the camera's HDMI out, but it will be upsampled in the camera, not native. Simply converting 1080i content to progressive does not make it 1920X1080 unless you change the pixel ratio. A camera rated at 1440X1080 is, for all intents and purposes, full or true HD.

[Gina]

This info has been very helpful. Forgive me for an ignorant question as I am new to all of this. Will the Vegas Premium convert an m2ts file to a file that is compatible with Youtube or photobucket? Thank you in advance.

[CycleWriter]

This info has been very helpful. Forgive me for an ignorant question as I am new to all of this. Will the Vegas Premium convert an m2ts file to a file that is compatible with Youtube or photobucket? Thank you in advance.

Yes. You can output to MPG, QuickTime, or WMV format, which are compatible with most movie hosting sites.

[Gina]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[soft27]

AVCHD Editor as a professional editor software, can edit AVCHD file like video cropping, movie trimming, and video effect adjustment. Advanced AVCHD settings, such as Video Size, Bitrate, Aspect Ratio are also supplied.
Besides, AVCHD Editor allow Camcorde users to convert avchd video to other popular video formats, like AVI, MPEG, WMV, DivX, MP4, H.264/AVC, MKV, RM, MOV, XviD, 3GP, FLV, etc.

[CycleWriter]

AVCHD Editor as a professional editor software, can edit AVCHD file like video cropping, movie trimming, and video effect adjustment. Advanced AVCHD settings, such as Video Size, Bitrate, Aspect Ratio are also supplied.
Besides, AVCHD Editor allow Camcorde users to convert avchd video to other popular video formats, like AVI, MPEG, WMV, DivX, MP4, H.264/AVC, MKV, RM, MOV, XviD, 3GP, FLV, etc.

First off, your link does not work. Second, if you have any relationship with this product you need to tell us. Suggestions are always appreciated, but we like to know where they're coming from.

[voodeux]

That AVCHD Editor link is working for me, but boy....did someone mangle the English language on that site "No One Can Refuse"? Really? Watch me!

[CycleWriter]

Voodeux, where ya been hiding? It's working for me, now, as well. Here's my nugget from the site: "Key Feathers of AVCHD Editor"

Too bad Vegas doesn't have "feathers."