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1. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
Fuzzy Barsik Jul 28, 2013 3:36 AM (in response to Stevenkowal18)I've been reading that Premiere is having trouble with Avchd files so I want to convert these files into something usable but high quality.
Which version of Premiere Pro do you use?
Which camera?
Are your AVCHD clips spanned?
Did you actually try to import and edit them natively?
I tried using the DnxHQ codec... However, I found that an output cannot be chosen for 1920x1080p.
Who or what does prohibit you from setting required frame size in the 'Width' and 'Height' fields in 'Video' tab of the 'Export Settings' dialog?
NB: See this thread for some more details on encoding to DNxHD in MOV container out of Adobe Suite.
What is my best option for converting Avchd into something usable in Premiere?
Your best option is to test first whether your camera is actually affected by the bug. If so, do not hesitate to shoot a sample of spanned AVCHD clips, upload the sample to e.g. Google Drive, which currently offers 15 GB storage for free, or any other similar file hosting service, from which it is possible to download a large file with no Royal pain, and share the link with us in this CS6 / AVCHD / Spanned Clip Bug / What Cameras And Media Types Are Affected? thread by Joe Bloe Premiere. So far the only camera, which we know for sure is affected, is Canon Vixia HF G10.
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2. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
jamesp2 Jul 28, 2013 6:28 AM (in response to Stevenkowal18)You're clearly doing something wrong, though it's not clear what -- there's no difficulty using DNxHD at 1920x1080, with a choice of data rates.
However, there are issues with AVCHD and AVC files in PPro which go beyond the spanning bug noted by Fuzzy above. If you want instantaneous time-line responsiveness, you can't edit in either AVCHD or AVC, which PPro does not handle well. You must transcode to something like DNxHD, Grass Valley AVI codecs (also downloadable for free) or Cineform (if you're willing to pay). This assumes you're on a Windows platform.
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3. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
Fuzzy Barsik Jul 28, 2013 7:40 AM (in response to jamesp2)If you want instantaneous time-line responsiveness, you can't edit in either AVCHD or AVC, which PPro does not handle well. You must transcode to something like DNxHD, Grass Valley AVI codecs (also downloadable for free) or Cineform (if you're willing to pay).
That's quite a bold statement to say the least. I edit mostly AVCHD files and never face any situation, where I would have to transcode.
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4. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
Stevenkowal18 Jul 28, 2013 7:36 AM (in response to jamesp2)Thanks to all of you for the posts. What about transcoding to one of the Prores formats? Will that work?
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5. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
jamesp2 Jul 28, 2013 7:47 AM (in response to Fuzzy Barsik)Fuzzy Barsik wrote:
That's quite a bold statement to say the least. I edit mostly AVCHD files and never face any situation, where I would have to transcode.
I didn't say you have to transcode, only that you won't get instantaneous response with either format. For example, open a sequence, go to the head of your time-line, hold down the "down" key for a few seconds, then stop. Then see how long it takes for the system to display the correct frame and be able to play (at all) and then without stutters.
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6. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
jamesp2 Jul 28, 2013 7:49 AM (in response to Stevenkowal18)Stevenkowal18 wrote:
Thanks to all of you for the posts. What about transcoding to one of the Prores formats? Will that work?
It will on a Mac. You can't transcode to Prores on a Windows PC.
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7. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
Stevenkowal18 Jul 28, 2013 8:01 AM (in response to jamesp2)I will try ProRes. ACVHD just doen't seem to work well in my setup right now. I'm on a pretty powerfull mac pro with 22 gigs of ram. Using a Quadro 4000 card. I get a lot of stuttering ( before sequences are rendered ), some crashes and some of my Magic Bullet Suite plugins won't work. But when I tried some mp4 and quicktime files ( lower rez though) the non working plugins worked again.
I am brand new to Premiere Pro Production suite. I am coming from FCP. I have a lot to learn about work-flow, etc. Totally confused right now.
Thanks again.
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8. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
Fuzzy Barsik Jul 28, 2013 8:05 AM (in response to jamesp2)I didn't say you have to transcode, only that you won't get instantaneous response with either format.
OK. You said 'must'. Still disagree that I should transcode all my AVCHD files so as to enjoy editing them.
open a sequence, go to the head of your time-line, hold down the "down" key for a few seconds, then stop. Then see how long it takes for the system to display the correct frame and be able to play (at all) and then without stutters
I'm on CS5.5, to begin with. Holding arrow down or arrow up (or arrow right or arrow left) doesn't freeze PrPro, it reacts immediately on any change.
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9. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
joe bloe premiere Jul 28, 2013 8:31 AM (in response to jamesp2)hold down the "down" key for a few seconds, then stop. Then see how long it takes for the system to display the correct frame and be able to play (at all) and then without stutters.
I am using CS6 and CS5, and I have no stutter, delay or lag
when playing, navigating the Timeline, or using any function
to step through frames using this sample spanned AVCHD media
posted for download and testing by Fuzzy here:
Post #148
spanned AVCHD clips sample from SONY HDR-SR12 camcorder
http://forums.adobe.com/message/5461972#5461972
..you won't get instantaneous response with either format.
I do get instantaneous response in both CS5 and CS6.
No problem whatsoever using the AVCHD media
posted at the above link.
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10. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
jamesp2 Jul 28, 2013 8:44 AM (in response to Fuzzy Barsik)Fuzzy Barsik wrote:
II'm on CS5.5, to begin with. Holding arrow down or arrow up (or arrow right or arrow left) doesn't freeze PrPro, it reacts immediately on any change.
I have no experience of 5.5, but according to Eric Bowen (if I remember correctly), this problem emerged with CS6 and later.
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11. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
jamesp2 Jul 28, 2013 8:47 AM (in response to joe bloe premiere)joe bloe premiere wrote:
I do get instantaneous response in both CS5 and CS6.
No problem whatsoever using the AVCHD media
posted at the above link.
This test requires multiple, relatively short clips on the time-line. Say, 10-15 second clips on a 10 minute time-line. You can dupe them if need be. The idea of holding the "down arrow" down is to move from clip to clip.
Are your testing conditions at all similar?
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12. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
joe bloe premiere Jul 28, 2013 8:55 AM (in response to jamesp2)I have used AVCHD media in many different circumstances
(including the scenario you describe) in both CS5 and CS6.
I have never experienced the problems you describe,
(with the singular exception of the problematic camera media
posted here in Post #212 from Exactimage).
Your concerns seem to be unique.
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13. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
jamesp2 Jul 28, 2013 9:02 AM (in response to joe bloe premiere)Your concerns seem to be unique.
FWIW, Eric Bowen has, among others, confirmed it.
Note also that the same media is instantaneous in Edius.
I'd love to see a demonstration video free of such behavior, but that would be a tall order....
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14. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
joe bloe premiere Jul 28, 2013 9:07 AM (in response to jamesp2)Please post a link to the confirmation of your issue
so others can judge the validity of your concern.
This is the only AVCHD issue acknowledged by Adobe:
Audio and Video glitches | AVCHD footage
http://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/kb/audio-video-glitches-avchd.html
And, the promised fix:
Premiere Pro CC July 2013 Update
"Our commitment to customers includes those who haven't yet
subscribed to Creative Cloud or who rely on CS6, and we plan to
release an update to Premiere Pro CS6 in the coming weeks that
will address an AVCHD clip spanning issue."
http://blogs.adobe.com/premierepro/2013/07/ppro-cc-july-2013-update.html
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15. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
JSS1138 Jul 28, 2013 9:08 AM (in response to jamesp2)hold down the "down" key for a few seconds, then stop. Then see how long it takes for the system to display the correct frame
I see a 2 or 3 second delay. It's nothing I can't live with, especially since I never actually navigate that way while editing. The problem Eric is talking about is no reason to transcode all your H.264. The time and extra disk space required would be much more of a hassle than this very minor delay.
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16. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
joe bloe premiere Jul 28, 2013 9:09 AM (in response to JSS1138)Interesting.
I experience no delay whatsoever.
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17. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
JSS1138 Jul 28, 2013 9:10 AM (in response to joe bloe premiere)Yet another reason not to transcode.
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18. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
joe bloe premiere Jul 28, 2013 9:12 AM (in response to JSS1138)Roger that!
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19. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
jamesp2 Jul 28, 2013 9:17 AM (in response to joe bloe premiere)Sorry, I don't have all the links archived, but you can start here
http://forums.adobe.com/message/5184856.
More the point, please test now, under the specified conditions, rather than rely on recollection. No one would be happier than me to learn it's user error or a configuration issue, but folks have denied the condition existed in the past, only to quietly concede the truth of it later.
EDIT: Okay, so now we have third-party confirmation from Jim Simon (who was an initial doubter, btw). And two to three second is more an ideal case. With long time-lines, it can be considerably worse than that.
Again, I'm not not urging anyone to transcode. The OT was getting poor performance and asked for advice. If you don't require instantaneous time-line response, then don't transcode.
And for the life of me, I don't know why you guys want to minimize these issues. The more Adobe hears about it, the sooner they'll work to improve performance. It's no small matter.
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20. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
joe bloe premiere Jul 28, 2013 9:19 AM (in response to jamesp2)please test now, under the specified conditions, rather than rely on recollection.
I just did.
The conditions now are no different than my recollection.
I get no delay or lag at all in CS6.
I don't know why you guys want to minimize these issues.
I can't minimize or amplify the issue if I
can not replicate the behavior you are seeing.
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21. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
jamesp2 Jul 28, 2013 9:21 AM (in response to joe bloe premiere)I'm glad you don't see the issue, but you asked for confirmation, and you got it. Unless this is hallucination for Eric Bowen, Jim Simon and me, something's wrong.
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22. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
joe bloe premiere Jul 28, 2013 9:21 AM (in response to jamesp2)¯\(°_o)/¯
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23. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
Stevenkowal18 Jul 28, 2013 9:36 AM (in response to Fuzzy Barsik)Hi Fuzzy,
Like I said, I'm totally new to The Production Suite. But it is possible that the reason why you are not having trouble with AVDCH files is because you are on 5.5. Adobe made a statement that AVCHD files were not working well in CS6. It was a very new statement that I saw online. Who knows what's going on? Thanks for your response.
Next time I ask a question, I won't forget to give more background info.
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24. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
Fuzzy Barsik Jul 28, 2013 9:41 AM (in response to jamesp2)for the life of me, I don't know why you guys want to minimize these issues. The more Adobe hears about it, the sooner they'll work to improve performance. It's no small matter.
The point is not to minimize, but rather understand what's this got to do with the price of eggs... As far as I can see from the link you submitted Steve Hoeg said that PrPro team couldn't reproduce the issue you're talking about.
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25. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
joe bloe premiere Jul 28, 2013 9:43 AM (in response to Stevenkowal18)Adobe made a statement that AVCHD files were not working well in CS6. It was a very new statement that I saw online. Who knows what's going on?
The exact nature of the acknowledged AVCHD bug
and the promised fix are outlined in the links in Post #14.
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26. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
Fuzzy Barsik Jul 28, 2013 9:46 AM (in response to Stevenkowal18)Adobe made a statement that AVCHD files were not working well in CS6. It was a very new statement that I saw online.
Well, having spent some amount of time at this Forum, I feel I'm aware of a couple of known issues actually... I would appreciate if you could provide the link other than spanned AVCHD clips bug acknowledgement, as Joe pointed out.
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27. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
joe bloe premiere Jul 28, 2013 9:48 AM (in response to Stevenkowal18)Here is jamesp2's thread describing his issue:
Lagging response of AVC-I and AVCHD Footage on Time-Line
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28. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
jamesp2 Jul 28, 2013 9:49 AM (in response to Fuzzy Barsik)Fuzzy Barsik wrote:
As far as I can see from the link you submitted Steve Hoeg said that PrPro team can't reproduce the issue you're talking about.
That thread went in so many directions, it's hard to conclude much of anything about what Adobe knows and doesn't know.
Of the five people in this thread, 2 confirm the performance deficiency generally, and Eric Bowen is cited as confirming it. This is all the more strange, since my usual argument here is with people who claim that high expectations for AVCHD and AVC editing are foolish -- probably because they're so used to PPro time-line lags, they can't imagine it's any better on other systems.
In any case, if Adobe can't replicate the problem, it's not trying very hard, the odds here are pretty good for replicating it.
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29. Re: Transcoding Avchd files to other 1920x1080p format?
Fuzzy Barsik Jul 28, 2013 10:02 AM (in response to jamesp2)Well, since not all PrPro users have ever been facing the issue, I'd rather you were more specific while claiming PrPro inability to generally handle AVCHD files well. Moreover, sharing a sample that exhibits the issue so that others can test on their own rigs would be wise.




