HDV Editing: Converting M2T Files

[WORDpictures]

Recently started editing HDV from M2T files off a hard disk. Final Cut Studio doesn't import M2T (no other hard disk option), so I convert these to QuickTime files through MPEG Streamclip - compression set as HDV 1080i60 at 100% quality, unscaled. Concerned with retaining high quality images. The conversion time is extremely slow relative to simply pulling this from the tape backup (which presents other issues). Can anyone suggest a more efficient means to process M2T files for use in Final Cut?

--Teresa

[brenthomer]

I havn't edited or shot hdv (camera will be here this week tho...woot!) but I saw this thread last month that might help you...

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=111981

because of the problems you are having is the main reason I went with the firestore solution..you can record straight to quicktime.

My only question for you is why not convert to prores422? I have been hearing amazing things about it....

BTW: are you shooting with the HVR-v1? I am pumped for that camera. They said it would be here by Friday at the latest, but the firestore and mics won't show until next friday...

[WORDpictures]

Hmm. . . I don't have a ProRes option at the moment. Will check into this - thanks for the tip, Brent!

Yes, I'm shooting with the HVR-V1U. This was purchased by the church before I entered the picture, so I've actually had some mixed emotions about the 1080i Sony. My personal cameras are Canon & I've had my future sights on a 720p JVC. But after some initial adjustments to the very different Sony image quality (high key, less saturation) - I'm learning to love it. It shines in low-light situations - and has very good feel. However, no love lost on the Sony hard disk drive. There can be quite a bit of delay for the hard drive to engage "record" which reduces shooting spontaneity for live action. I've also had a few clips go to tape, but not capture to drive. . . . Let me know what you think about the Firestore unit.

Be sure to use HDV tape for your back-up. Regular mini-DV has major drop-outs plus the image color & luminance appears to flicker from the tape source.

Have fun with the new gear!

[brenthomer]

Well prores is part of FCS2...it is supposed to be HD 4:2:2 but be the same size files as SD DV. They say that it is so small and yet efficient that most imacs and powerbooks can edit a few HD streams with it.

I also will be buying a more things from apple so when I get FCS I will tell you what it is like. I have read the since FCS2 is multi rez, you can import the source footage at what you record it in (ie 1080i or whatever) and then you can just do all your renders in prores.

A company also lisc. the pro res codec (aja I think) and they have an external firewire hardware codec that does the codec rendering for your processor. This allows a powerbook pro to become a formidable hdv editor.

Sorry you didn't get the JVC, but hey....it will be easier to get volunteers to help with the Sony. I looked at the JVC but my current mindset is once the camera gets shoulder mounted, it gets harder to get volunteers to help out.

btw: do you like the 24p option on the Sony? It was really hard picking out cameras...there are so many compromises with HDV that no one is really happy with any of the cameras...

[oudinmelanie09]

Share my experience of converting and editing HDV files.

HDV is a very clever way of getting HD on DV tape. It’s done by using MPEG2 compression which is the same compression used for DVDs.HDV video is not a easy to play and edit video format. So I always to make some conversion to HDV recordings from my Sony HDR-HC9. The most efficient program to convert and edit HDV files is Aunsoft Video Converter. This program works nice in converting HDV video to AVI or WMV for playing in Media Player and Windows Movie Maker.

The most satisfied me is it feature of keeping the sound in sync with the picture!

Hope my info is useful for you.