Can anyone reccomend a safe website or program that I can use for this conversion?

I use the Kdenlive Transcode facility since I am a Linux user.

Dave

As I recall, there are differences in AVCHD among Canon, Sony and Panasonic, so I don't know what works for all. I did convert a sample Canon M2TS file to DNxHD (.mov) 720p with my go-to converter, not freeware but also not very expensive: Brorsoft Blu-ray Video Converter Ultimate, if that's any help.

http://www.brorsoft.com/

Also did the same with Adobe Media Encoder. I don't know if the avid codec comes with AME, as I had previously installed the free Avid dNxHD LE codec package, but it is still available if you need the codec for whatever program you choose to convert with. Could not get 1080p to work, for some reason, with either program. 720 works fine.