The XAVC-S HD from your camera and the render template you pointed out is actually the same.

The render settings depends on which device you want to watch your movie to. You should check that XAVC-S render can be read on your media player by rendering a small loop of your project.

On the templates listed, XAVC S only appears as long. X AVC (without the S) appears as intra. The camera will shoot XAVC S HD in either 25 or 50mbps. Does the 25 or 50 not matter when rendering? I would like to use XAVC S HD 60p 50 mb when shooting, is that a problem? I don't see those numbers on the list of render templates. So I gather I need to make my own template. I tried that and didn't see menus for the parameters to match my shooting mode. Sorry, I am lost, I appreciate the help.

You don't need to worry about matching the two. For compatibility try Magix AVC and see if the result looks good to you. It should playback on anything.

Look at the Magix AVC/AAC render options for delivery with broader playability over diverse devices.

Unless you're strapped for cash, buy the Sony AX53. Looking at BH, it appears that Sony is exiting the consumer camcorder business. Here are some bridge cameras at inter-stellar prices compared to the CX405.

To be clearer than I was before, this matching XAVC-S template will work well for local high quality playback on your home theater system, assuming you're not streaming over a wireless connection.

For delivery, including streaming and sharing on or off social media, this template is universally accepted.

Note that in the common nomenclature, 60p is a simplification of NTSC 59.940p, and the two designations are most often considered identical and interchangeable.

Thanks to everyone who responded, I appreciate it! Like most people, my finished projects will go to youtube. I looked at a reddit conversation where a guy said he uploads xavc s to youtube frequently with no problems. Hoping that will be the case.

John D, thanks, I want a camcorder and cheap as it is, the 405 seems to do what I want. I have a mild hand tremor and can't use touchscreens, but the joystick on the 405 should work okay for me. Markus likes it. Sony is getting out of consumer camcorders, that's a bummer. I see the ax-700 is DC'd. All those buttons would work for me, but it's waay too expensive, even at grey prices.

You can upload just about anything to YouTube, including ProRes.

If you plan to also put the video on USB drives and watch it on TVs, etc. AVC (though MagixAVC) is universally compatible. Give it enough maximum bitrate for the resolution, framerate and level of detail you have.

Roger S: "Give it enough maximum bitrate..." Stupid question, how do I do that?

It's not a trivial question to answer.

Start with the Magix AVC presets that match your resolution and framerate. If you see compression artifacts where there are areas of high detail or motion increase the maximum. MagixHEVC presets are on the (too) high side. I don't know about presets for XAVC S in VEGAS as I don't use it. Compare the bitrates to the source footage though if you are reducing resolution (say going from 4K to HD) the final render doesn't need as much data of course.

Thanks, Roger, very interesting info. I still don't know where I will see the bitrate figures so I can "compare the bitrates to the source footage. I know that the camera records xavc s hd in either 25 or 50 mbps. But where are the bitrate figures for each codex in Vegas Pro found?

@robert-m install the free render app "Voukoder for Vegas" and forget about bitrates, framerates and resolutions. Voukoder renders your Vegastimeline regardless the used footage fast and with best quality.

Thanks, Roger, very interesting info. I still don't know where I will see the bitrate figures so I can "compare the bitrates to the source footage. I know that the camera records xavc s hd in either 25 or 50 mbps. But where are the bitrate figures for each codex in Vegas Pro found?

Choose a render template and hit customize to see the full settings which include average and maximum bitrates.

Thanks to everyone who responded, I appreciate it! Like most people, my finished projects will go to youtube. I looked at a reddit conversation where a guy said he uploads xavc s to youtube frequently with no problems. Hoping that will be the case.

No point in wasting the time and bandwidth of uploading XAVC to Youtube. Generic AVC will work just as well.

"No point in wasting the time and bandwidth of uploading XAVC to Youtube. Generic AVC will work just as well."

Is it still worth it to record in XAVC S? Or am I wasting my time with that as well? One youtube video I watched said XAVC S worked very well within Vegas Pro. Thanks agan.

Yes, I would keep recording in XAVC-S. There is not that great a collateral to have it if you decide to do a higher quality project later on.

For Youtube, the most bang for your buck lies in uptoad / processing time, and generic AVC with FastStart enabled is the clear winner, "maybe" as much as three times faster than XAVC.

Thanks, mark-y, I think I'm on my way! I'm sure I'll have more questions later on, good to know the Vegas Pro forum is so active.

Welcome.

Thanks to everyone who responded, I appreciate it! Like most people, my finished projects will go to youtube. I looked at a reddit conversation where a guy said he uploads xavc s to youtube frequently with no problems. Hoping that will be the case.

 

You can go check the YouTube's recommendation settings:

https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1722171?hl=en

especially the bitrate.

Magix AVC is a good starter point, and Voukoder is also more option as suggested here.

Whichever encoder you choose, be very sure to enable "FastStart" or "Web Optimized" before rendering.

Your upstream processing time on Youtube will be doubled if you do not.

Thanks, Mark, but where is FastStart or Web Optimized located for me to enable it? I looked around, didn't see it.

Any encoder that uses the x264 AVC codec has a provision for FastStart or Web Optimized -- including Voukoder in Vegas, Handbrake, Shutter Encoder, ffmpeg, etc.

Also Sony AVC and Magix AVC in Vegas have it, where it is called "Progressive Download."

I only use the x264 encoders for Youtube because they use CRF processing, which is faster and more efficient [edited].

The FastStart function puts the moov atom at the beginning of the file rather than the end; therefore, the file doesn't have to download completely before processing can begin, but instead starts right away.

Ahh, progressive download. That, I see. It is, indeed, on the Magix AVC codex. At least, it is on mine. Thanks so much again!