I have seem some things online about taking your avchd files and converting to something else before editing that doesnt much affect the quality but makes it faster to edit say using Pinnacle.

Anyone here done that before? If so whaty would you convert it to, MPEG2? AVI?

Thanks again for helpin the newguy

www.cineform.com

what am i looking at here?

Here is your solution.

NewBlue AVCHD Upshift | Batch convert your AVCHD files into standard .M2T files. (http://www.newbluefx.com/avchd-upshift.html?vmcchk=1)

cool so what benefit will that provide?

Faster rendering?
Easier editing?
Less space used on hard drive?

Thanks!

You'll get the benefit of all three. Download trial and give it a spin.

NeoScene converts AVCHD to 10-bit 4:2:2 avi that is pretty much lossless and perfect for speedy editing, color grading, etc. UpShift converts to MPEG2. I'd recommend Cineform before UpShift if you're planning on editing.

I agree, Cineform is a much better choice. MPEG isn't a good format for editing.

Tried Cineform Neo Scene trial today on Canon 7d file from dpreview.com. Worked great. Only doubled the file's 44mb size and was fast. Brought the converted file into Edius and it played back fine. Looks like a great solution.

Both programs are a good solution. I've used both and was happy with results of each. Both will enable you to take AVCHD and convert to a more easily editable format.

Benefits of Upshift:

1. easily edited with most current systems.
2. faster rendering than AVCHD native.
3. maintains original file sizes(Cineform will use 2x-4x more hard drive space)

Benefits of Cineform:

1. easily edited with most current systems
2. faster rendering than AVCHD native.
3. uses 10 bit 4:2:2, which will hold up through post better

On the Cineform site, Pinnacle is not listed as a compatible NLE for use with Neoscene. It may work though.

Since when is Cineform (at the Neoscene level) 10bit?

[edit]

Just looked at their file spec. Neoscene is indeed 10bit. That's amazing. And a terrific bargain. I use a different system, but this is fabulous for someone looking to go this route on a budget.

If you have Sony Vegas you can do a batch conversion to whatever format you like.

Tools > Scripting > Batch Render

Tried Cineform Neo Scene trial today on Canon 7d file from dpreview.com. Worked great. Only doubled the file's 44mb size and was fast. Brought the converted file into Edius and it played back fine. Looks like a great solution.
I am shocked... Mark, what's wrong with Canopus HQ???

Canopus HQ, all by itself, can justify the cost of Edius Neo. It's a viable alternative to Cineform's codec.

EDIUS is a really fantastic editor. The only thing I don't like about it is the lack of plugin support. There is an After Effects bridge in beta, though. Once they get that working well I think a lot of people are going to stand up and take notice.