I rip and edit the pure M2TS files off a blu ray, and then render at a higher bitrate (usually between 30/40
mbps) than the source files to ensure zero loss. POST render I use
AVS4YOU to convert to an MP4, usually at 7.5mbps which gives about a 10gb file per 2hrs and is still very high quality in HD. For smaller devices, a bit rate of 2.500 mbps gives about a 3GB per 2hrs which is still decent even on a TV, but some pixelation can creep in on action sequences. The Godfather was rendered at 30 mbps and converted to MP4 at 7.5mbps MP4.
AVS is nice coz it integrates to Windows and allows right click conversion to multiple formats including MKV, MPEG, M4V, AVI, VOB, DVD TS Folders and BLU RAY disc and will burn to disc as well ...all directly on that right mouse click with a great audio extraction utility and much more to boot. All parameters are fully custimizable. I bought a lifetime licence on Black Friday many years back, and it is still live and being updated.
I've tried other progs for conversions, and many introduce audio artifacts at edit points and even throw the audio out of sync (WONDERFOX)..so years on...I'm still using AVS for conversions with no compliants from viewers (unless I cut a corner). Any image issues I have had have been due to rendering the MASTER FILES at a lower bit rate to try to save space....I have now learnt my lesson on that one...
Compression = CUBES (though it is inherant)...
I just recieved a St PAtrick Day offer for AVS
AVS4YOU is a suite of 5 professional multimedia programs to convert, edit and create audio and video. Use AVS4YOU freeware to work with image & document files.
www.avs4you.com