CODEC options on AVCHD video import

Pardon my posting this in 2 forums...
I am importing AVCHD file (from a Canon Vixia camcorder) recorded at 1920x1080 30P. After searching around I am using Roxy Toast Titanium. My goal is to import them for editing in FCE, without changing resolution, frame/interlace settings or losing video quality on the import. Of course my various outputs will have different quality/resolution/frame options but I want the source video as pristine as it was recorded.
I am a bit confused by all the CODEC options. Are there any pointers you know of that describe the plethora of CODECS that are part of OSX? And, in particular, is there any advice on what CODEC is the best to use for what I'm doing?
Thanks!

With FCE you're best off using the Apple Intermediate Codec which is the default for import of AVCHD. It provides good quality with manageable file sizes.

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    Height                           : 1 080 pixels
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    Original display aspect ratio    : 16:9
    Frame rate mode                  : Constant
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    Resolution                       : 24 bits
    Colorimetry                      : 4:2:0
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    http://homepage.mac.com/jrwalker4/.Public/Shrek The Third.mp4
    You specified how AVI is an antique, so what would be the best, keeping good resolution? I agree that I'd like to see something come directly from H264 as source format, but what about final desitination? WMV? MPG, MPEG, MOV, MP4, etc?
    There still seems to be a bit of misunderstanding between us. Your AVCHD starts as an AVC/AC3 file encapsulated in an MPEG-2 container. Basically, you can't do anything with it in this form. Therefore you must convert it to a "conversion and edit compatible" compression format like AIC/AIFF which Voltaic, iMovie '08, FCE, or Studio can do. Once in that format, you have the option of converting it directly to a web compatible format or edit it in any of the mentioned video editors and then converting it to your target web compatible compression format.
    In my case, I would convert it back to H.264 video but with AAC audio. This combination offers very high quality and small file size as stated above. On the other hand, being a very modern and highly efficient compression format (i.e. why it was selected for storage of your original HD content and then placed in an MPEG-2 container to reduce transfer bandwidth), it takes more time to encode. Further, it is integrated into and optimized for use on your Mac. WMV is similarly biased for use on Windows platforms, is not "native" to the Mac, and requires you purchase additional software to use it. (I.e. either $49-$179 for Fip4Mac which allows you to use WMV9, or $23 for the older version supplied by Visual Hub) It is not what I would use, but if you are target Windows viewers it may be a better choice for you and a decision to be made on your own.
    With regard to MPG and MPEG-2, these are also older formats which require higher data rates (i.e., larger files) to produce equivalent quality to H.264 (or WMV9) or be used with smaller dimensions to keep file size down. Basically, MPG (used for VCD) was replaced by MPEG-2 (DVD and Satellite compression) which is about equal to MPEG-4 (encodes much faster than MPEG-2) which in turn is being replaced by MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) for HD formats which generally require 6-7 times the space of SD formats. So, while MPG (MPEG-1) is still quite common on the internet, it is generally restricted to 320x180 for online use. MPEG-2, while it offers better resolution and larger displays, still require minimum data rates greater than most ISPs offer or mean you have to use custom settings with reduced dimensions which may create problems with some players (not to mention timecode problems on Mac platforms which also require properly "closed" files. In addition, these formats do no offer "progressive" caching/viewing as do the newer formats like MPEG-4 and H.264. (I.e., you can't start viewing an online move before it is cached to your computer it.)
    Would I have great resolution if I used iMovie 08, imported from camera to iM08, then went to Share, to QuickTime, then leave iMovie08 to go to QTPro where I'd import the video and then export to one of the above formats?
    If I were to perform any form of editing in iMovie '08, my work flow would be to import from the camcorder to iMovie '08 at 960x540, perform the editing, and export to my target output using the "Export using QT" option for optimum settings at a maximum display of 960x540. On the other hand, if no editing was to be done, I would import the files to my hard drive, use Voltaic to convert to 720p AIC/AIFF and then use either MPEG Streamclip or QT Pro to encode my file for use the web at a maximum of 1280x720 using optimum settings for desired level of quality. What I would not do is export from iMovie '08 only to turn around and re-export the file in QT Pro. (I.e., if you want to use QT Pro on a file imported by iMovie '08, just open the "Event" clip in QT Pro and export directly from QT Pro.)
    Would I be able to get great resolution without super large file? This is a 10 minute video so I really need to watch my file size here.
    If the sample file I referenced above were 10 minutes in length, it would likely be between 110 MBs and 120 MBs in size for the same quality and same dimensions. Do you consider this a large file? If you do, then you will likely wish to use smaller dimensions and a lower data rate -- e.g., 72-80 MBs for a 640x360 at roughly 1.0 Kbps or 36-40 MBs for a 320x180 at roughly 500 Kbps. Other formats like MPEG-1, MPEG-2, or MPEG-4 would require files roughly 2.0-2.5 times as large for similar levels of quality.

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