Quote: When I create a movie I use files and pictures from different drives, folders, etc. Once the clips are assembled I would like to output them into a single file for editing so I do not have to keep track of the original sources. What is the best format? AVCHD, MP4, MOV or others?

Thanks

Bad idea to delete those original files; you want to go back to the originals some of them someday.

Read up on the "Pack Project" function.

Note: a CyberLink PowerDirector project (.pds) file essentially contains a list of the media clips and effects used in your project, and a log of all the edits you want to make to your media. Project files do not include the media clips in them. If you want to save all your video production files in one place, use the Pack Project Materials function. To do this select, File > Pack Project M aterials from the menu.

Storage is inexpensive now so you can buy an external hard drive to save those packed projects.


If you are bound and determined to output the files, you can use either AVCHD or mpg2 high definition. Both are compresses. You can read up on them to make your final decision. .
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The problem I had in the past was that every couple of years the files are reorganized, copied to another drive, etc and the link in pds file is lost. Since, as you pointed out the storage is inexpensive, I thought to have the clips for a respective movie in one place. I will look into that "Pack Project" function.

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