Editing AVCHD footage - AVCHD Converter needed !

Question

Hey everyone,
I'm working with a new camcorder recording in 1920x1080 HD AVCHD (*.mts).
Since editing avchd material nativ requires loads of cpu speed, I'm looking
for a AVCHD converter which provides good quality and file speed.
I guess the size doesnt really matter.
I've tried Canopus AVCHD Converter, but I'm not sure if thats the best
possible tool as well as workin fine with CS4.
(What format should AVCHD be converted to?)
I'd really appreciate a few answers on how to speed up the HD workflow!
Best,
Alex

Answer 1

Another way you could do it, although more expensive is to use a Cineform product.
I have a SONY Handycam which will accept a 16GB memory chip and use a relatively outdated machine (Ie quad core AMD with xppro) and Cineform Prospect HD along with Premiere Pro CS3.
Prospect has a capture, conversion module (HD Link), which won't capture AVCHD files, but if I record the HD video to the chip instead of the hard drive of the camera, I can then insert the chip into a USB chip reader and the HD Link will directly  convert the AVCHD files from the chip into Cineform .AVI files  and save them onto the computer HD which can then be edited in CS3.
There is a minor problem with the alpha channel which can be worked around using quicktime files.
I've never looked at the Cineform product Neo Scene HD, but it may be cheaper.  I'm not sure if Neo Scene converts the AVCHD files.
John Rich