Goal: Find the best quality output for the shortest rendering times. Create Blu-Ray compatible DVDs. I’ve also experimented with using HD source files to create SD output (NTSC 720x486, de-interlaced). It is no where as sharp but you can also zoom into the frame up to 80% (44% fills the SD frame) without the image falling apart too badly.

Equipment:

Canon HF-200

Shooting MPX (24 Mbps, 29.97 fps, 60i) on 32Gb SDHC class 4 cards which holds approximately 2.5 hours of video. I don’t remember the specific reason, but I read it is best to keep AVCHD clips at less than 4 minutes duration. Probably because of file size issues.

Canon 7D and G12

Depending on subject, I’ll shoot JPEG or RAW only most of the time. If unsure of conditions, I’ll shoot both as a pair, especially if flash memory capacity is not an issue. Shooting RAW can give you a buffer of +/- 1 EV over shooting RAW. Most times however, after I tweak a RAW image, it looks just like the JPEG that the camera produced. Make sure the clocks are in sync when using multiple still cameras.

Macintosh

iMac 27” i7 Core 8Gb RAM, IOGear Multi-card reader that supports SDHC. FW800 1.5TB and 500Gb working volumes with a 4.5TB RAID 5 for Time Machine to back it all up. A MacBook Air is used for backup in the field.