AVCHD to DVD Settings?

[Simon Silverstein]

I have a PE7 project 12 minute file from a Canon AVCHD camcorder. I am about to create a DVD from it. I would like it to be the highest quality possible and yet be able to play the results on a standard DVD player. In the past, I have converted such projects to AVI, but the results have been somewhat blurry. Is there another setting to get better results?

[Chuck Engels]

You should just burn the project to DVD Simon, shouldn't need to convert anything.

What happens when you do that? How is the quality?

[Steve Grisetti]

Though it's also important that your project settings match your source video! Make sure your project is set up for AVCHD (either 1920x1080 or 1440x1080).

Then, as Chuck says, you just use Share/Disc to output your DVD.

Note that you're going from high-def to standard-def, though, so you will less than 1/4 the resolution of the original footage on a DVD. On a TV, that shouldn't look blurry -- but it won't be as detailed as your original footage. That's just the nature or DVD video!

[Simon Silverstein]

Following your instructions, I used the rendered AVCHD project to burn a DVD disk. PE7 accomplished the thirteen minute video with inserted photos, audio, soundtrack, transitions, key frames and other effects flawlessly. As you stated, there is 1/4 the information in the DV format than the original AVCHD--and it showed. However, the result played smoothly on my DVD player and in my PC. I guess if I want better visual quality, I should get a Blu-Ray burner and player; it does seem ridiculous to have an HD camcorder whose eventual output is not really any better than my old DV tape Camcorder.
Thank you both again for your clear and timely advice.

[Chuck Engels]

Happy to hear everything came out fine Simon. I am in the same boat as you, HD camcorder and all SD equipment to play it on. Ordered a Blu Ray burner yesterday and got a Blu Ray player for my birthday last year

I still think the quality of the DVDs from my HV40 are a lot better than my miniDV camcorders ever were, but still not like watching HD

[Simon Silverstein]

Chuck: If you don't consider it too intrusive, I'd be interested in what kind of Blu-Ray burner you decided to get--and why that one?

[Chuck Engels]

Not a problem Simon I already posted something about it
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9066

I was looking at this LG burner for awhile but it was $140 - $105 at most places. When I found it at Newegg for $80 that was all it took.