Can I take the plunge to AVCHD now?

[TC]

Sometime last year I asked in this forum and was told that DV tape is still the easier way to go for editing HD. However,  I can see that a lot of progress has been made in the area of AVCHD editing solutions. Is the Cineform Neo Scene the thing to use for this purpose and does it work well? Is that the only way to go?

Also, there are still cameras which offer HD video recording like the Canon 5DMk2 (expensive though) and the yet to be released Panasonic GH1 (http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gh1/movie.html). What are the pros/cons between a dedicated camcorder vs HD still camera? One advantage I can think of is of course the larger lens and sensor.  I'm also concerned with cost. The Sony HD camcorders are all under $3k complete (without bothering about lenses).

[engr]

Most NLEs can handle AVCHD better now. But if u r intending to use Vegas Pro it is still not too good unforutunately. We may see some changes next month at NAB09. Anyway, 5DMkII is lovely toy.. (N very exp due to the lens not forgetting the recent price hike). It does not offer manual controls (rumoured to have a patch in the future) so you had better hold it out for now.

As for AVCHD Sony cams, I suggest to hang on for one more mth to see what the NLE upgrades offer. Usually that is the time of announcements. You can make better decisions after that.

[VideoCobra]

TC,

I agree with Engr...hold out if you are not in need of a change right now.

Many great things on the way for sure and crisis deals as well....Oh an perhaps the new SONY HDD XR-520 or the Panny HS300...

VideoCobra

[TC]

Thanks Richard and Derek. I'll take your advice and hold off for a little while.

Philip

[Chris]

Hi,
What's the latest onAVCHD now please ?

Ta
 Chris

[VideoCobra]

Hello Chris,

What a long time.....

AVCHD still sucks but with a system like an i7 say 860 onwards and running WIN7 64bit may get your footage running on the timeline reasonably well without any jerkiness but the
minute you add on either an effect or perhaps increase your preview quality things will change. Again depending from one software to the other again AVCHD
is handled better on Adobe CS4 than on still Vegas 9 Pro. IMO unless you intend puchasing and converting your highly compressed MTS to perhaps M2T or etc...
would not be worth the time unless you did not care about the extra step you have to take for post workflow. This of course is the same for Canon Mark II, 7D, Xactic

Cheers
VideoCobra