When it comes to shooting video and quality of Video I have no complaints. The camera delivers as advertised. But when it comes to processing those videos one might as well smash the damn thing.
First things first it records to the Hard Drive in a .MTS format and “REQUIRES” that you use the tool provided by Sony to move the files off the camera. When it does so it changes the file somehow “MAGIC” and changes the file extension to .m2ts which is supposedly in a AVCHD format.
They provide some software to put the clips on a DVD but their is no real editing software that is provided with the camera. But getting the media to load in its native format on a MAC is a non starter. I have yet to find any MAC support.
Second it is rumored if you “BUY” Sony Vegas that it supposedly can mitigate the files for proper editing.
I Like Sony products but let me tell you something Sony has blew it. I am a geek and I deal with media on a daily basis and nothing has pissed me off more than the process Sony makes you go through.
Why they do not encode in a normal format is beyond me. All of the utilities they provide down convert the media into a non high definition experience. In all honesty I hate the camera due to the fact it is nearly impossible to edit the videos with. My advice is go buy a product from another company stay away from this line of cameras completely.