LwEEs.com » avchd

AVCHD On The Spotlight

LwEEs — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:55:33 +0000

What is AVCHD? AVCHD is a new video codec better than MPEG-2 or 4, which delivers high definition video compressed from a compact camcorder. AVCHD stands for Advanced Video Codec High Definition, and Sony and Panasonic are developing it. The downside for now is that this video codec is in the early stage of its development and is hard to find applications to edit this video format. Applications like FCP recently got updated but lower end video editor software are not.

Just last week an update from Apple to its Final Cut Studio gave us the option to import AVCHD, note that Final Cut Pro does not edit AVCHD directly, instead you have to import it as ProRes 422 codec. After the import you are able to handle AVCHD content and export it as almost any file type that FCP has available. The only problem is that FCS2 runs for $1,299, kind of pricey for a hobby.

The advantages of AVCHD video codec are the ability of recording more HD footage with less space taken by the file. We have camcorders like the Sony HDRSR7 holding a 60GB hard drive that gives you up to eight hours of HD video you wont miss a thing. Another common feature is the ability of recording 5.1 audio, lastly HDMI output to plug it directly to HDTV’s or graphic cards available for capturing directly to your computer’s hard drive are all big features.

As a video enthusiastic I think that this new format will complement the high end consumer video sector, giving people the ability to record high quality video and then down convert them to whatever format you need to use on the web, or burn a DVD with the ultimate goal of saving this HD file for the equipment we all will have in the future.

Since the introduction of HD many products had emerge but media consumption has change too, while I believed that many would move to this HD equipment. The truth is that many people are uploading these videos to the Internet making compliance more of a challenge to everyone; there are dozens of video codec available for this purpose.

If you are going to buy an AVCHD camcorder keep in mind that not all the software available on the market is compatible with this file format. Also, make sure that you read all the specification to get the best input set for manual modes. You may even need to upgrade your computer since most of the software will demand better hardware to be able to handle HD content.

Well, I will be trading my DV camcorder for a HDV, but which one? I think I’ll be waiting until Christmas to get my new HDV or AVCHD camcorder. Which will you be getting? If you already have one share your experience with us, leave a comment on this post to know what is like. Email me for questions at lumencreativegroup (at) gmail.com. Thanks.

Coming Soon!

LwEEs — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 12:46:23 +0000

Please forgive me if I haven’t post anything lately; I’ve been working with a lot of stuff at the same time making my schedule a little wacky. I have many articles on the pipe to release this week, expect some talking about AVCHD, Bluetooth, iPhone, PSP, and more. Yes, I got a PSP and I’m enjoying it, it has contributed to my delays too. So far, the only game I have Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, but my review on the PSP is going to be more towards the equipment itself and the internet browsing capabilities.

I have been reading a lot about the outsourcing issues in the technology field, so you can expect some chatting about that too. In addition, I don’t know how familiar you are with 7^th Son, a podcast novel that really got my attention. I heard some interviews lately so I’ll be talking about this audio book and his author. To conclude I’m getting ready to put together some blogging tips that I have picked up around the web and are really working for me. So stick around for new and great content from LuMen Creative Group. Thanks.

Apple Updates Pro Applications

LwEEs — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:27:31 +0000

June 27, 2007 – Apple, Inc. released updates to their pro applications, updates to Final Cut Pro, Motion, Color, Compressor, Soundtrack Pro, along with Pro Applications Update, and Super Drive Firmware Update fill up the list for today’s update. Two days before the iPhone there was no sign of an iTunes update so far but rumors sites are speculating that the update will be available sometime Friday afternoon. With the big hype given to the iPhone hopefully people don’t forget that there is more after the iPhone, rumors of new iMacs, Displays, and iPod still are being seen around the web.

The Final Cut Pro update includes stability issues along third party plugins support, etc. but the most exciting news about the update is the compatibility with AVCHD. This is huge, many people are getting these cameras and being able to edit this material is as important as you may think. Motion update improves Final Cut integration, rendering of 3D groups, and 32 bit float projects. Color updates gets improvements on stability, metadata support, and single-display mode. The most exciting features are better compatibility NVIDIA graphics cards, and dissolving of 2K files during rendering.

Compressor just received performance improvements and stability improvements; Soundtrack Pro received the same updates as Compressor except for a Delay Designer surround effect plug-in. The Pro Application Update fixes some frameworks and shared components for Final Cut Studio 2 Apps across the board. The last update is for the Super Drive that improves readability of certain CD media, hmm, CD media. I wonder is this is in preparation to updates for HD-DVD or Blu-Ray compatibility, what other media would a Super Drive needs help with? Maybe issues that I haven’t heard of.

While we wait for Friday’s events, share your though with us about the iPhone. I’ll be on my nearest AT&T store interviewing people and putting out a podcast with whatever material we pick up from that. Send your comments to our email at lumencreativegroup (at) gmail.com to share on the show which will be on your nearest feed Friday before midnight. Thanks.