AVCHD discs -- what hardware & software ?

[Barb O]

I have ordered PE v 10 and I want to create AVCHD discs whose content originates from AVCHD 1080 video (from Canon camcorder) and from photos. In addition to PE v10 running on Windows 7, what do I need

on my computer
-- what software do I need for playback of the AVCHD format disc ?
-- am I correct that I only need a normal DVD burner for both writing and playback of the AVCHD disc ?

for my HD TV
-- I don't want to be limited to connecting a computer to my HD TV for playback
-- so do I look for a TV DVD player which says that it can play the AVCHD discs ? any suggestions of players which others like ?

Ideally I would like one TV DVD player with HDMI connection to the TV that :
-- does upconversion of standard DVDs (purchased and burned) for better HD TV playback
-- does the AVCHD playback of discs I burn from PE 10
-- play jpegs from a disc (CD or DVD) and from a USB flash drive
-- does playback of commercial Blu-ray discs (this is not immediately anticipated but seems like it would be good to have)
Any suggestions for players to purchase in the USA ?

[rfjg]

Windows 7 supports AVCHD playback, should be able to just use Window Media Player
and you are correct about just needing DVD burner for writing and play back on your PC.

For TV, you will need a Blu-ray player capable of playing AVCHD on DVD disks(a Sony PS3 also works as well), a DVD player will not work.

[Chris B]

Barb,

Sounds like you a BluRay player - You can get up-scaling DVD players - but there's not a huge amount of price difference to go BluRay these days. There is (as with most audiovisual equipment) no upper price limit but they have fallen below the "magic" $99 mark these days. How much of the "quality" is smoke and mirrors is an matter of opinion. ( http://www.badscience.net/2006/02/blindingly-obvious-hearing-is-believing/ ). Remember - HDMI connections are digital - they work - or they don't. There's very little to be gained from "better" HDMI cables.

I've got a Sony player which works just fine - this is the latest model of it
http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666291209

All BluRay players upscale DVDs - and most will do other things like netflix. Look at how it will link to your home network and what other "value add" you need. Your required feature list is almost a given for any player on the market these days.

-- am I correct that I only need a normal DVD burner for both writing and playback of the AVCHD disc ?

Windows 7 then that will read them and VLC apparently plays back AVCHD disks (along with almost anything else)
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Note that a standard DVD at "top quality" AVCHD rates is only about 15-20 minutes of footage.

Chris.

[RJ Johnston]

You need a Blu-ray writer and player for AVCHD discs.

[Paul LS]

You need a Blu-ray writer and player for AVCHD discs.

A standard DVD burner can write and playback AVCHD discs on standard DVDs... no need for a Blu-ray writer.

[Steve Grisetti]

However, just to be clear, a standalone DVD player (like the one hooked up to your TV set) can not play AVCHD video.

[RJ Johnston]

I stand corrected.