We been getting a few inquiries about support AVCHD *.m2ts files within Connect HD and Aspect HD, I just wondering if these inquires are the tip of an iceberg. We have determined AVCHD support will be a minor to moderate upgrade to our existing HDLink application. I have already sucessfully converted the video picture to CineForm AVIs with very little effort, most of the work will be related to audio support.

Can I please have a show of hands to the level of interest.

And if you are interested, which particular features of Connect HD or Aspect HD would you like added for AVCHD support?

Your thoughts welcome on this issue. AVCHD adds a bit a wrinkle to licensing model. The currently higher-end HDV format is limited to 1440x1080, so our licensing matches, yet this new lower end consumer format can output 1920x1080. We could offer AVCHD support as standard under the 1440x1080 license (at no additional costs -- other maybe an AVC decoder license $10 like CoreAVC if a free one isn't sufficient) video would be scaled as needed (note: you won't see a quality difference) or would users be willing to pay a premium for 1920x1080 versions of Connect HD and Aspect HD (some overlap into the higher-end Prospect HD space?)

Thanks,

Any new developments on this? Thanks.

It is a question for you and others as to when we release and in what form.

I've been working on a project with the Sony hd-sr1 for a few weeks now and I desperately need to be able to work with these files. I currently edit with vegas. If enough interest was show, how long would it take to implement? Thank you

Luke

Luke,

It would take a couple of weeks of engineering to do the work that enables conversion of AVCHD to 1440x1080 or 1280x720 for fast post as CineForm AVIs. So yes will do it at some point, but how soon is the question given the number of other projects we have.

David,

I'm extremely interested in the idea of shooting in high def with an SD card camcorder so I'm waiting on pins and needles for the Panasonic offering.

I use Vegas and really want to get away from realtime tape ingestion. If this camera pans out quality wise, then I need an editing solution. Basically, if this cam can come sort of close to HDV, I'll most likely buy one if, and only if, I can edit the footage.

Edit: Sorry, wasn't specific about features. I just upgraded to Vegas 7 (from 4.0) and I haven't done any kind of HD editing yet. I do believe that your Vegas product for HDV is in the $200 range. The cost for the Premier version was a little rich for my blood.

**raises hand**

I have been trying to decide which cam to buy for my b-cam.

I ve very interested in the Sony 30gig Hd cam. The only thing thats kept me from a purchase is lack of editing capability. I already own Connect HD, so yes, an update to include this would be greatly appreciated!!

-burk

Me too. The only thing that's holding me back from purchasing one these camcorders is the ability to edit within Vegas 7.
I'd pay more for the 1920 x 1080 option. ($50 easily, $100 maybe...)

Thank you Dan and Jason,

Good feedback.

David Newman,

I speak to more and more people everyday who are looking for an editing solutions for these files. I’m very pleased to see someone step up to the plate and be the first to make this stuff workable. I called cineform today and spoke with mary. She was very nice and informative with the questions I had regarding what your soft wear can do for me. When you get this to work, you most definitely have a new customer.

Luke Burgess

David,
For me the situation is clear :

IF aspect HD supports AVCHD, i'll buy one (fro christmas ) to "tape" (sic) sports events, etc...

OTHERWISE, i'll let it sleep on the shelves.

SO, SANYO should fund this development !!!

David,
I should chime in here; comments from *several* fora on the web, emails we receive at VASST, etc offer strong interest. If you can find a good means of accessing the consumer channel, ie; Vegas Movie Studio crowd, you'll have a great success with AVC HD in the CineForm toolset, IMO.

I think there would be lots of interest from the videographer community in the use of Sony's small HDDVD and Hard Drive cams based on AVCHD. I saw the hard drive model in Circuit City and I was just about to take the plunge and buy it. It overcame many of the limitations of the C3 because it had a means to attach an accessory show PLUS and external mike input jack AND a headphone jack. There is a need for cams like this to get POV footage at social events and service as a backup.

What stopped me dead in my tracks was the inability to deal with the material in editing. While I can see the use of a Cineform or Connect HD codec for serious users, there should also be something bundled with the camera that enables both consumer and pro users to archive and edit the footage.

...or would users be willing to pay a premium for 1920x1080 versions of Connect HD and Aspect HD (some overlap into the higher-end Prospect HD space?)

Thanks,

Definitely yes on the 1920x1080...if:
...you don't go ballistic on the pricing for it
...you include the 5.1 audio

and when you stated "some overlap into the PHD space...", are you considering offering 8 bit and 10 bit versions too?

David

Thanks for asking the troops.

You've received many knowledgeable responses here.

I'd also strongly consider an AVCHD cam if there was a good editor for it. I'm currently using Premiere Pro 2.

Regards
JohnG

I'm curious if you'd be willing to comment on the quality difference between AVCHD and HDV, both in terms of theoretical limits and the practical cameras?

Personally, if I bought a camcorder that was outputting to 1920x1080, I would be disappointed to not have access to the full frame - regardless of quality. So I'd say "yes" to the full 1920 as well... not that I can see myself "upgrading" from HDV anytime soon.

-Steve

At the moment I feel AVCHD is lower quality than many of HDV implementations, but that maybe a comsumer for prosumer product thing, not reflecting the compression standard. Which means the 1920x1080 image is likely worse than an HDV 1440x1080 signal. I will take your vote in favor of a 1920x1080 solution.

I also think many people are waiting for the software to become available before buying AVCHD-cameras from Sony or Panasonic. That is part of what is holding me back as well.

Actually, the cameras are selling very well already, to the target market; consumers. The "prosumer" may not be buying into these cameras yet due to quality issues and issues of editing challenges, but as mentioned in another thread, the "dentist-sumer" are already buying up AVCHD cams.

I am ready to buy the Sony SR1. I have connect HD. Willing to pay for upgrade to AVCHD. Thanks David.
JK

I saw an item on the Sony Media Software website saying that in Spring of 07, there will be a free update for Vegas 7 users that will deal with AVCHD files.

It has been almost 3 weeks on this topic.

What is the current situation of editing AVCHD files?


We use Vegas7

I would like to see 1920 x 1080 support in Aspect HD.

I would also like to see HDMI uncompressed injest support for the Black Magic Intensity card in Aspect HD.

This would allow indie filmmakers on a small budget to record from the cmos sensor "almost" directly, and bypass H.264 compression altogether.

I use Adobe PPro2.

Thanks.

David, I'll raise my hand as well. Several facilities within our company asked me about an easy to use camcorder to use on site, with the possibility of editing by me if needed, and they want tapeless. The new hard drive camcorders have their interest, and my input was to get something in the HD range. (So it looks like I might be working with the AVCHD format as well).

David, whats the status on this?

We have completely worked out how to do, we just need a AVC decoder to license (or point our users to license a particular decoder.) I was working and testing with CoreAVC, yet that company seems to be having some difficulties (not answering email or delivering on PayPal purchased licenses.) So anyone can recommend a company to license a decent AVC decoder (DirectShow) and/or provide a useful contact at CoreAVC, we are in a holding pattern until the decoder license is solved.

We have completely worked out how to do, we just need a AVC decoder to license (or point our users to license a particular decoder.) I was working and testing with CoreAVC, yet that company seems to be having some difficulties (not answering email or delivering on PayPal purchased licenses.) So anyone can recommend a company to license a decent AVC decoder (DirectShow) and/or provide a useful contact at CoreAVC, we are in a holding pattern until the decoder license is solved.


Its good to hear that youve worked out a gameplan! I dont know enough about these coding companies to be able to offer any help. I hope CoreAVC gets their act together soon though! I'm going to buy a SR1 soon, because the waves have been good hear in V.B. and its too cold to lug the HVX + equip. to the beach right now not to mention sand and salt air issues! I think I can protect a small palmcorder a little bettah!

-burk

We have completely worked out how to do, we just need a AVC decoder to license (or point our users to license a particular decoder.) I was working and testing with CoreAVC, yet that company seems to be having some difficulties (not answering email or delivering on PayPal purchased licenses.) So anyone can recommend a company to license a decent AVC decoder (DirectShow) and/or provide a useful contact at CoreAVC, we are in a holding pattern until the decoder license is solved.


What about the MainConcept H.264/AVC Decoder?
http://www.mainconcept.com/site/index.php?id=17747
They also offer a Windows DirectShow SDK: http://www.mainconcept.com/site/index.php?id=4786

Or perhaps Elecard? http://www.elecard.com
Elecard PC Application SDKs: http://www.elecard.com/products/products-pc/sdk/

videolan has the code for free
http://developers.videolan.org/x264.html
and MSU is listing some comparison with some codec
http://www.compression.ru/video/codec_comparison/mpeg-4_avc_h264_en.html
and videosoft is selling it (they are at ver 3 now)
http://www.vsofts.com/h264/codec-3_0.html

Personally i do not care for AVC, but sometime, when your favorite tool can ingest something you never use, it can save your life, and it is a "good to have", especially if it is cheap.
From the marketing point of view, you should lower price of Aspect/Prospect a bit and add the avc feature in Prospect only.
This would keep thing clear and help purchase decision.
For instance , i find Aspect a bit expensive for 8 bit HDV only, while Prospect is far too expensive to get only the additional 10 bit feature.