Best editing software for Sony HDR-HC7

I would think that Sony Vegas would be best used with footage from a Sony camera. I don't have much experience with it though... maybe someone else will chime in.

I'm a Premiere Pro user. Not the easiest editor to use...

Zclyh3, Couple of questions for you. Are you wanting to make HD copys of your footage or DVD? Do you have an HDDVD player?

Sony Vegas 7 if you do have the bucks, Sony Vegas Movie Studio+DVD PLATINUM if you don't have the bucks.
With Vegas (I'm not sure about the Movie Studio version, you have to check it out) you get the built-in Cineform intermediate codec, which allows you to convert the .m2t clips from the HC7 into a visually lossless and easier-to-edit .avi format. (check out Cineform's website for the details).

http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/Pro...FeatureID=8315

- from a Vegas/HDR-HC7 user...

I have an HC7 also. Because I am still learning how to edit the actual video I just basically import it to vegas as m2t files. The I just prepare them for DVD in DVD architecht ( came with Vegas 6) as an NTSC widescreen project and it comes out perfect. The quality is superb for SD format DVD's and they are in widescreen.

There is big debate on this. I personally think it's a waste of time and a loss to convert the M2T to avi. If you are going back to tape, then the avi has to be converted back to M2T.... There are losses in any conversion whether you are talking avi to M2t or natural gas to heat energy.

If you are going to disk than the avi must be converted back to mpeg (which is a m2t with the added transport stream)

So when you convert M2t to avi then back to m2t (or mpeg) the entire file must be uncompressed then re compressed.... causes unnecessary looses.

This becomes an even bigger deal with programs like pinnacle studio that have SMARTRENDER... which is the ability to render ONLY the parts that have been changed or altered... so if you edit an M2V for example, only the parts that you alter get fully rendered... the rest just simply passes through. But if you convert back and forth between avi... you knock smartrender out of play and the ENTIRE file gets rendered.... causing unnecessary losses.


To top it all off the idea that mpeg (or M2t) is difficult to edit... is old school thinking. Your machine may have to do a little more work to edit m2t, mpg, m2v... etc, than avi... but you won't notice the difference at all from the operator's point of view. Today's machines are not the same as yesteryear's... they are quite fast and powerful... and quite able to handle the long gop structure of HD.

If you are a believer in going to avi before edit then that's sure fine... but just understand that it is not as lossless as one would think... there are certain losses in any conversion that you do.... and this must be worked into the equation.

blackbill,
I'm on board with most of what you say. Most new machines can handle .m2t editing. However, if you're talking about any kind of complicated project where you need to render and re-render parts of the project (e.g. for compositing), your visual quality is going to go out the window if you're re-rendering back to .m2t all the time.

See this link for an analysis of multi-generational rendering for .m2t files vs. Cineform's intermediate .avi files:
http://www.cineform.com/technology/H...ysis051011.htm

No question Cineform comes out on top.

For straight cuts and back to tape, use of .m2t on the timeline is the way to go. Anything more complicated gets a little dicey...

I have always worked in M2T (mpeg, M2V) and quite often do complicated edits, effects, cartoon conversions, pic N' pic, slo mo, freeze frame,... yadda, yadda... never run into a problem. The finished result is clear, clean, and artifact free.

Although I must admit, coming from liquid to Vegas, I hear about Cineform's intermediate avi quite a bit. This MAY stem from the fact that liquid has smartrender abilities to take advantage of and Vegas does not (and I HOPE that changes... I like Vegas much more than liquid.... but I do miss the smartrender!).

But believe me... I don't plan on debating the issue... I have learned that this sort of thing is DEEPLY routed into some one's way of doing things. Either you are a believer in rendering over to AVI first... or you're not. You just need to be aware that there are losses anytime you do a conversion... the question is how much of a loss do you incur in a conversion versus a smartrender scenario..... and of that... i would have NO idea.

I second the vote for some kind of smartrender in Vegas!

I would like to do the same. Just a high quality DVD off my HV20 HDV tapes for now. Until Blu-Ray prices come down, then i'll just re-edit in HD and burn to Blu_Ray.

Just got a new computer from Dell (Duo Core E6600, 2Gig ram, 256Vid, 500Gb RAID 0) Should be enough for HDV editing. I need Ideas and suggestions for video editing software, Maybe DVD authoring software if needed. Don't know if the DVD software comes with the editing software or not.

Hope to price it around $200 or less.

Thank in advance

Malanick

Blackbill;

I'm currently using Pinnacle Studio Pro & hate it. Looking for something more stable, but still on the easier end. I work with SD DV and my brother just bought the new Sony HDV. We will both buy the same software to aid in speeding up the learning curve. I've gotten quite a few recommendations to go with Vegas, but after reading this thread I'm curious about Liquid(avid?). I saw where you have used both. Which do you recommend?

Thanks!

1,000th post!! Woohoo! Took me long enough...

What keeps people coming back to studio is the fact that it's the easiest interface in the world to use. Most people can use it without even looking at the manual.... There is not a better interface.

If you plan on looking at most any other editor, then get used to the fact that it will require not only use of the manual, but lots of noobie questions asked on the board.

I do have both liquid and vegas... and BOTH required some learning time to say the least. I have been using them for quite some time now.... and there are still things to learn. They both have their pros and cons but I would have to say that Vegas is not only more stable, but it's got a cleaner, sleeker interface. Liquid's interface tends to be a bit messy which adds to the complications of having to get used to a new interface. Vegas also seems to be more universally accepted than liquid.... it APPEARS that there are many more Vegas users than there are liquid. I also find the Vegas support board (which you WILL use) to be alot more relaxed and friendly.

Unlike studio and liquid, Vegas can not do a disk directly off the time line. But DVD Architect which comes bundled with Vegas, blows the doors off of liquids authoring program. It however, will also require the use of a manual

But Like i said, a lot of learning is required so you have to be serious about making the switch... and the first couple of videos may seem about as fun as pulling teeth from a live bull with rusty pliers... but it's just like anything else... once you get used to it, it becomes second nature.

My vote goes to Cineform as well.

Don't have a camera yet but I will in a few months.... leaning towards the Sony HC7/9 models but giving the Canon HV30 isn't out of the running. On the pros/cons list for each camera I was thinking about the software for editing footage.

I could have sworn that way back in the Sony HC1 hay day that they Sony cameras actually came with a version (included with camera cost) Sony Vega software!

Is this still so, for the newer Sony cameras?

Getting some good software included in the camera purchase price would definately go into the "Plus" column. Thanks for your input/help.

Just in case you guys are interest in a FULL version of Vegas 8 PRO, I just ordered one from BH. I will not mention the price but is is VERY cheap.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...o_8_Video.html

Sergio

Thanks for the info slimoli!

Noticed that Vegas 8 Pro has "24p DV" listed as a feature supported. Does this mean that it could do the 3:2 pulldown on 24p footage (within the 60i) from cameras like the Canon HV20/30?

I am not a Vegas user yet, just ordered it. As far as I know, however, this is just the 24p editing capability. If you look at the www.HV20.com , there is a lot of discussions about pulldown removal using other softwares.
Most people there are Vegas users and they need other programs to remove pulldown.

I use this "Eugenia's method" http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/0...-24p-pulldown/ and it works pretty well.

Sergio

The Vegas Pro deal at B&H is NOT the full version. Its does not include any plugins or the DVD authoring engine. Looks like its just the editor. Probably still a decent deal but is not the full version

What "plug in" are you talking about ? The only thing I am not expecting is the Sony DVD Architect 4.5, which is a separate program anyway (not integrated with Vegas). There will be no manual as well but you can download it. As far as I understand this IS a full version of Vegas 8 Pro, confirmed by BH on a phone talk.

Sergio

As I said in another post... I would be GREATLY surprised if DVDa did not come with the BH deal.

DVDA contains some of the codecs required by vegas and vegas would not run correctly with out dvda. I have NEVER heard of Vegas coming without dvda (except of course on the trial download.... which BTW does not work with 5.1 sound because the AC3 codec is in dvda)

What plugins are you talking about???

I have Vegas pro directly from Sony and I sure don't remember any "plugins"

As far as I know.... there is no such thing as a light version of Vegas8 pro, or even a slimmed down version. They sell only 2 kinds of Vegas pro... the upgrade version and the full version. I know that the full version bought from Sony comes with a couple of separate programs (Vegas movie looks, and Borris Grafitti) which you surely will not get with the BH version....but they're really no big stink anyway. (I have the full version from Sony)

That will be interesting: A guy on the www.HV20.com says he spoke to BH and they confirmed that DVDA is not included with the CD version. Looking at the product description on BH site, though, it clearly says it has 5.1 mixing capability. I will get my copy only on Wednesday and if DVDA is a no-show I guess I will have a "case".

Sergio

I'm extremely interested in what the CD only version of Vegas 8 Pro includes (I'm assuming you get a legal license / key). Please post back what it really is, I know I'm eagerly awaiting news.