Working with AVCHD video

You can edit files recorded with AVCHD camcorders just like any other supported media type on the timeline.

The following steps will guide you through the process of using AVCHD video in your VEGAS® Pro project.

NOTE 5.1-channel audio will be downmixed to stereo when importing into a stereo project. When importing into a 5.1 surround project, audio will be added to separate tracks for the center, front, rear, and LFE channels.

  1. Shoot your video with an AVCHD camcorder.

  2. Start a new VEGAS Pro project, and set your project properties to the format that most closely matches your desired output format.

    For example, if you intend to burn the video to an NTSC DVD, choose NTSC DV (720x480, 29.970 fps) from the Template drop-down list on the Video tab of the Project Properties dialog. If you want to create a 4.8 Mbps high-definition Windows Media Video file, choose HDV 720-24p (1280x720, 23.976 fps).

    For more information, see Setting project properties

  3. Import your AVCHD files.

    For more information, see Using the Device Explorer

  4. Drag your clips from the Project Media window to the timeline to create events.

  5. Edit your project as needed.

    TIP

    If you're working on a system with limitedprocessing power, converting to a lower-resolution format will streamlinethe editing process and allow you to preview your project with higherframe rates. This process is called proxy editing.

    For more information, see Creating proxy files for high-definition editing

  6. Render your project to any supported rendering format.

If you want to render to AVCHD format and export the rendered file to an AVCHD camera, please use the following steps:

  1. Verify that your VEGAS Pro project is set to 5.1 surround mode.

    For more information, see 5.1 surround projects

  2. From the File menu, choose Render As.

  3. In the Render As dialog, choose Sony AVC/MVC in the Formats box.

  4. Use one of the following templates:

    • AVCHD 1440x1080 NTSC 5.1 Surround

    • AVCHD 1920x1080 NTSC 5.1 Surround

    • AVCHD 1440x1080 PAL 5.1 Surround

    • AVCHD 1920x1080 PAL 5.1 Surround

  5. If you choose to use the Custom Template dialog to customize your rendering template, leave all settings at their default values except for the Bit rate control. The default Bit rate setting should work for most applications.

  6. To save the rendered file to your camera, you'll need to use the software that was supplied with your camera.