AVCHD HD Video Editing Programs

Anzac day and I took some video with my Sony HDR-CX110E Camcorder.  This camcorder records onto SD cards in a format called AVCHD.  The files have a .MTS extension.

The problem is that my existing Adobe Premiere 6 (>10years old) and Premiere Elements 4 (not quite as old) do not know about the AVCHD format.  Some time back I purchased for real money the Serif Video editor X3 but performance was a bit ordinary and each time I tried to use it, I gave up.  Now with a bigger faster computer I tried it again and it sorta works.  Crashed a couple of times but I am learning save often and move the mouse slowly.  Complete one operation before starting another.  So I figured time to see what options exist right now.

Serif Movieplus X6     $AU56.26 (as at 19-OCT-2012) 

This is the program that I am currently using.
It's OK. 
It is stable and reliable.  There are some things (ripple delete in particular) I find a little odd and I guess in my mind I compare it to the old Premiere 6 that I use as a bench mark.
However it can do - Lots of video tracks, chroma key, scale and distortion of overlay video and jpegs, titles are easy.



Windows Movie Maker
Free

An intensely disappointing program.  I am surprised Microsoft are not embarrassed to have their name on it.

See http://thomsoneu.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/windows-movimaker-glitch-rendering-avchd.html
For a frustrating problem.
BTW as far as I can see you can not superimpose video OR still images.








Zwei-Stein  Free
But would not install.  Gave up.

Virtual Dub
http://www.virtualdub.org/
Downloaded and installed 1.9.11 but does NOT know about AVCHD.  Google reveals others searching too.  We need to send the author back to college. 

EDIT STUDIO  $US49
http://www.mediachance.com
Claims to be able to do multicam editing but in the tutorial it clearly states that you have to align the tracks yourself.  At least they are honest!

MAGIX MOVIE EDIT PRO  $99AUD
http://www.magix.com/gb/multicam-editing/
NO MULTICAM
Claims to do AUDIO synchronisation of the video tracks.  Ah not so quick.  Even though the claim appears prominently on the above page along side pictures of the movie edit pro 'box' you actually have to buy the more expenside 'professional' version known as Magix Video Pro X5.  For about $500 $600 AUD.  Cripes I hate the marketing hyperbole


Videopad $39.95
http://www.nchsoftware.com/videopad/index.html
and apparantly you can transfer it from one computer to another.  Limited to two transfers per year and they run a program to detect if you are using it on two computers simultaneously.
Apparantly an Aussie program.
Bit anoyed that it shows up as freeware when you search on google.

Avid Studio $120

http://shop.avid.com/store/product.do;jsessionid=DE5BE3BDD94D9BFCC3299724C065A319.ASTPESD2?product=307190015825088
Note: Avid Free Dv has not been available for ages and yet it shows up on various web sites proporting to list video editing programs.


AVS Video Editor  $US59

Appears free but .....
its not.
Once upon a time a bought an AVS license but it appears the licence is for one computer.  YOU CAN NOT TRANSFER it to another computer.
However they have kindly reactivated the license and I have edited and uploaded two videos to you tube.
http://youtu.be/bjcoTfv2TmM
BUT
Can not select mutliple items on the time line.  Very frustrating.  For example lets say I have loaded 80 clips and want to delete 50 of them.  One at a time.  There is a AVS forum post http://forum.avs4you.com/posts.aspx?lng=ENG&t=3242 where someone has asked this question and been told "no".

LIGHTWORKS

http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=184
the free version does NOT do AVCHD and the paid version isa per year subsription of ~$50 to $100 as I recall.

VSDC

http://www.videosoftdev.com
They appear to have a free and paid version.










Adobe Premiere Elements
$99

Adobe Premiere $US799

Magix 60GBP, 80GBP, 100GBP


Serif MoviePlus Starter Edition
Free but I had to give them my email address which since they already have, I figured no big deal.
Warning#1 look out on installation.  It wants to install one of those dreaded toolbars.
During install it wanted to d a reboot.  I was a bit disobedient and put that off.  Then it wanted a key so I gave it the one I had been given during the download process and got a whole pile of errors.  Time for a reboot.

It's all locked because they want 5pounds  for the codecs.  They say that they are available for 14 days for free but I do not know how to make that happen.

End of evaluation
















Movieplus X3 For Comparison

 











Sony Vegus Movie Studio
Many versions and options from $45, $95, $125, $195, $599