Re splitting into 4GB chunks: right, that's the same to me as limiting the length of a given file (the same technically as a clip logically in this case). If I have 60 minutes of continuous video to break up into chunks, it will end up in some number of files on the drive, and each plays only when you click on it - they don't daisy-chain together upon playback.

No, playback length isn't limited by the Fat32 formatting. You just have to split the clips into 4gb chunks.



I disagree.

There is a significant difference between "finding all the files" and playing back with BDMV menus and functionality. There is a very definite need for the Blu-ray folder structure, perhaps not for you, but you won't get native 24p output (except inside a 3:2 60i container), or subtitles, or VC-1 support.

I'm just saying you can play back video files at normal frame rates without wrapping them in containers, supplying menus, submenus, subtitles, etc. The clips are files and inherently self-contained. That you choose to do otherwise is perfectly fine by me - it's just not a technical requirement for the video I've shot. And I'm 100% comfortable with browsing through logically named folders looking for logically named video or MP3 or MPEG files - I prefer it to having to wade through menus and submenus. The latter brings nothing extra to the table for me except the work of creating them, which is a minus, not a plus.. This is an entirely personal decision which other people won't all want to do. But they don't HAVE to do all the formal folders and structures just to play back standard files. So I was making sure that was clear.

Re splitting into 4GB chunks: right, that's the same to me as limiting the length of a given file (the same technically as a clip logically in this case). If I have 60 minutes of continuous video to break up into chunks, it will end up in some number of files on the drive, and each plays only when you click on it - they don't daisy-chain together upon playback.

That is not correct. When authored into the BDMV folder structure, the split 4GB chunks 'do' seamlessly playback, without pauses or gaps. It is just like a normal dvd, where multiple .vob files are daisy-chained into a continuous playback of a longer clip.

You're correct on this, that if all you want to do is put files on a USB flash drive, navigate to the clips you want to play you can do that.

But what I am describing is a way to cause a USB flashdrive to mimic an actual Blu-ray disk, complete with full motion menus, chapters, subtitle support, multiple audio streams, VC-1 and 24p output. People understand this important distinction.

Sure, that's just not the question I was answering directly. You're highlighting a different capability with different results for different purposes, which is great.

In fact, a third capability implied in the CX500V manual is that you can write AVCHD video from the cam to a stock DVD and then successfully play back the AVCHD video through a Blu-Ray player. I think it uses the Blu-Ray folder structures to make this happen. If you try the same thing with that same disc through a regular DVD player, it will either not work or it will actually damage the disc's contents and make them unplayable on any drive. I haven't tried this since I just don't write to discs any more at all. But this is an intermediate approach to playing back AVCHD that works with a Blu-Ray player but doesn't require a Blu-Ray burner.

At least, that's what the manual seems to say pretty clearly. i haven't heard anyone comment on this elsewhere.