Yeah, I bet you are opening this to find out what they are, right? Well, me too.

I keep reading that you should get the fastest processor you can, the best video card, etc., etc. But does anyone know what the actual minimum requirements are to get AVCHD to run correctly on a computer? Are there different requirements if you want to edit (assuming there is some software out there.) I have been to some generic AVCHD sites and honestly, all they do is confuse me.

And am I correct in that even if you have a really fast computer you still may have some problems running AVCHD? I have read several posts where people believe their system is beefy enough but still can't get it to work.

I am planning on a new computer soon (laptop though), and I really want to consider AVCHD, but not if it means spending a small fortune on the highest-end computer system.

I don't think anyone really knows. I bought my new laptop a couple weeks ago - 2 gigs, 512 VC, duo core processor, etc etc, and I'm being told it won't be enough...

Time will tell. I wouldn't buy until good editing software was out and a few people have put it through the paces.

I have a hard time imagining it is going to take a $3000 computer - this is a consumder format. HOPEFULLY they are smarter than to kill it like that...

I can watch .mts and .m2ts files on my machine using Elecard(everything else locks up) but both cores run 90-100% cpu.

Specs:
AMD64 X2 4800+ socket 939
2GB Mushkin memory running @ 2-3-2
X800 XT PE 256MB video card.
2 x 74GB Raptors running RAID 0(Striping)

I believe you can lower your CPU utlization by adding an X1000 Series ATI or GeForce 7900 series Nvidia. Both support hardware H.264.

Mine uses mid 50ish CPU and I'm running:

Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
Gforce 8800 GTS
2GB Ram
Cyberlink PowerDVD v. 7.0


My other PC, an AMD 3800+ with a ATI x1600 and 3GB Ram plays but the audio and video are not in sync.

Actually im using with a 2.4Ghz Barton AthlonXp, should I need a videocard which supports H.264 Acceleration to run AVCHD smoothly?

I have a 6800GT AGP and it doesnt suport H.264 hardware, im looking toward a 7600GS or somthing.

Until recently, the software DVD players like Nero Showtime, Cyberlink PowerDVD 7 and the Elecard player were not optimized for AVCHD. The latest versions: Showtime Ultra Enhanced, PowerDVD7 Deluxe, etc. will playback much better on a low end Core Duo. My Acer laptop which has a Core Duo T2500 chip (2.0G) would play back the video but only the first 7 seconds before it hung. With the new software, all AVCHD playback and audio reproduction is smooth as silk.

I want to emphasize the dual core connection here. Perhaps a very fast single core can play these videos back. However, for best results, you need a dual core and the faster the better. Editing will be another story...when we get some software that will edit this stuff.

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Guy

Camcorder User Network

I played some of the sample .MTS files I found on Camcorder.info on my first generation Macbook, using the beta Mac bootcamp program, running Windows XP Pro, with Nero Ultimate as the player, 2GHz Core Duo (not Core 2 Duo), 2Gig RAM, with the integrated video, which I believe is the Intel GMA950:

http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma950

I have no idea how editing goes, but the files play flawlessly, without hiccups in the audio.

Adj.

Since we're now in April '08, could someone please update/clarify the state of AVCHD editing?

From what I've seen; some of the AVCHD video edit software specs recommend minimum of using a pc with "2.4 to 2.6ghz Duo-Core Processor".

What's the (general) deal? Is brand of camcorder a factor?
For example, the Canon HF10 would need "x" RAM/Processor to edit files on a pc?

Thanks.

i got core2duo 1,8. 2gb ram. vista.

i use free avchd players:
1) wmp +k-lite codec pack - plays some avchd streams only. plays all my camcorder videos, but not always smooth and video is somehow broken :/

2) oxygen avchd player beta2- plays everything very nice except bluray avchd - full version should play it realtime smoothly as is stated on player website

This does not answer the original post, but my PC (quad core with 4Gb RAM and Vista Home), can play HD-DVD and Bluray movies made with Nero Vision on standard DVDs, using either Nero Showtime or HD Writer AVCHD player. (HD writer is the program supplied with the Panasonic HDC-SD5 HD camcorder.) Playback of video and audio is fine, and I feel that a lower spec PC would suffice for either program. In comparison, my Toshiba HD-DVD player struggled in the middle of a 15 minute holiday movie on both video and audio.
It is unfortunate that Nero 8 supports dual layer DVD-R for AVCHD giving over 40 minutes, but not for HD-DVD format, so I can only make a 20 minute HD-DVD movie with my standard DVD burner.

I have a pentium dual core E2180(cheap Core 2 Duo with less cache) overclocked to 2.7GHz with 2GB ram running Vista and it can playback AVCHD files from a Sony HR12. This is without video card acceleration. During playback CPU averages between 60% to 90% usage.

I run an HP Pavillion dv9000 17" laptop with an Intel Core Duo T5500 @ 1.66 GHz and 2 GB Ram with XP MCE and Service Pack 2, and it runs Vegas Pro 8.0, Nero 8 UE, Picture Motion Browser, and Sony's AVCHD Player just fine. VP8 plays a little choppy when editing on the timeline, but not enough to hinder it's usefulness.

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Ernie
Sony HDR-SR1 AVCHD HDD User

I have a MacBook Pro 2.2 GHz IntelCore 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, GeForce 8600M with 128VRAM and I can play and edit even Full HD video. Sometimes, the playback of Full HD is not smooth.

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Sony HDR-SR5E HD AVCHD
MacBook Pro 2.2GHz, 2GB DDR2, GeForce 8600GT 128VRAM

nevrozel,

I see you have a Sony HDR-SR5E AVCHD cam. I'm assuming that your MacBook Pro also has Windows installed?? If so, have you been able to install the software that came with your cam? Sony says the software is not compatible with Mac's. But if you have Windows on your Mac it seems that it would work. And if so, have you been able to burn AVCHD DVD's on your MacBook Pro?

I don't have a Mac, but I may be interested in purchasing one someday if they can do everything I need. I have shy ed away from them because some of the programs I use aren't Mac compatible. But if a Mac running Windows can do everything a Windows PC can do, a Mac may be in my future.

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Ernie
Sony HDR-SR1 AVCHD HDD User

Hi EScheidl,

I do have Windows installed but the problem is I lost my CD that came with the camera so I have never been able to install it. I don't even know what software came on the CD.

I could try to burn AVCHD DVD's through Windows if I could get the software included on the CD and tell you if it works. I looked on Sony's website but they don't offer the software for download... too bad.

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Sony HDR-SR5E HD AVCHD
MacBook Pro 2.2GHz, 2GB DDR2, GeForce 8600GT 128VRAM