I've seen clips on Vimeo where the poster shows footage "edited in Sony Vegas" of .mov files (H.264) from HD digicams like the Aiptek and Sanyo Xacti...

If I try and load these files in Pro 8, it shuts down Vegas. In order to edit these type of files, I have to first convert the files to wmv or mpeg-2 ...

It loses quality in the process. The clips I have seen online are superior to what I can get...

It's not easy to get a response, so I would like to ask here if anyone knows how they are editing these files in Vegas... Do you think they are converting first? Are they downloading a codec, plug-in or some other method?

Thanks.

Using GO-HD files in Sony Vegas Pro 8 is a pretty good guide to using footage from these cameras.
The only catch is that you have to buy QuickTime Pro but, at only $30.00, it's very reasonable.

Mike

Great...thanks.

Is buying QuickTime Pro the only option?

According to the article I referenced, it is.
I've never used those cameras nor do I know anyone who has so, other than the link, I can't be of much help.
Sorry :-(

Mike

ok.. so I found out that this is an issue with Aiptek files, but the files from the Sanyo Xacti HD1000 can actually be edited in Vegas Pro 8 without any conversion or anything.

Although they both use the h.264 codec; the Xacti HD1000 files are MPEG-4, while (the newer) Aiptek camcorders, (i.e. A-HD+), are .mov.

Thanks...your input led me to these other answers.