All CineForm software includes a file conversion and acquisition utility called HDLink. If you haven't yet played with HDLink, it is used for converting numerous different source formats into CineForm Intermediate files, but is also used for converting (re-wrapping) AVI <--> QuickTime (MOV) files, inverse telecine processing, image resampling, camera acquisition, and many others.  HD Link is located in the CineForm directory within the Start Menu.

The AVCHD format used in new consumer HD cameras is not a friendly editing format because of the algorithms used as part of the compression.  To solve this problem for editing, we'll use HDLink to convert the AVCHD files into high-quality CineForm Intermediate files to enable high-performance editing.  HDLink is accessible via the CineForm folder under the Start menu.

Step 1 - AVCHD Decoder: In order to convert AVCHD files into CineForm Intermediate files, you need a supported AVCHD decoder installed on your PC. There are two supported decoder options:

• Option 1: If you are a Premiere Pro CS3 user, you already have an Adobe-supplied AVCHD decoder. HDLink is compatible with this decoder, so you do not need to download another decoder.

• Option 2: Core AVC (http://www.coreavc.com/) This is not a free decoder, but we have determined it to be a consistently reliable one.  There are two versions of the CoreAVC product - Standard and Professional.  We recommend the Professional version for maximum performance and compatibility.

If neither of these decoders are installed, HDLink will look for other decoders on the system that support AVCHD decoding.  Compatibility is not guaranteed in this case (we have found that feature and function vary greatly), and you will be shown a warning or error message in the HDLink log.

Step 2 - Media Splitter: Also required to complete the conversion is an installed compatible media splitter. The supported splitter is the Haali Media Splitter, available for free from http://haali.cs.msu.ru/mkv/. 

Similarly, if HDLink cannot find the Haali Media Splitter on your system, it will attempt the conversion using whatever components may exist on the machine, which may result in conversion failure. You will see a warning or error message in the HDLink log in such a case.

Step 3 - File Conversion.  Open HDLink, click on the Convert tab as shown.  Click Select Files, then point at the files you want converted, then click START.  (You can select other options during the file conversion process by clicking the Prefs button, but that is not the subject of this Tech Note).

Step 4 - Edit.  You're ready to go....

NOTE about CineForm product versions: All CineForm products (or updates) of the following versions first introduced in late April 2008

• Aspect HD v5.3 or later

• Prospect HD/2K/4K v3.3 or later

• NEO HDV/HD/4K v3.3 or later