Using MPEG_Streamclip

Hello,

My camera shoots AVCHD files with extension *.m2ts and compression H.264. Neither MPEG_Streamclip (WIN XP) nor QT Pro would let me open these files, believing they are MPEG2 files, but infact they are kind of MPEG4 files. MPEG_Streamclip wants me to install real or alternative software that can playback MPEG2. Honestly, I tried the alternative but it crashed. The real QT component costs money, and is not intended to open H.264, just MPEG2. To reslove the problem, I convert the AVCHD files to uncompressed AVI, then inport and process in MPEG_Streamclip or QT. The process is very long and consuming.

So guys, how do you handle the situation?

Another question: MPEG_Streamclip offers three format of 1920x1080:
A. 16:9
B. Unscaled
C. HDTV 1080i
At least one of the above translates on P5 to 4:3!!!

In addition, I can request MPEG_Streamclip not to interlace movies, thus creating progressive video.

If you are still here, what options should I choose?

And the last question: Upper field or lower field first?

Thanks,
Eden.

Here is an article about what you are facing... http://www.fsckin.com/2008/01/03/transcoding-mtsm2ts-avchd-video-files-with-free-software/ I use Sony Vegas Pro 8.0 which full supports the format natively for editing. http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegaspro