Video Workflow and Production for 5DIII

I saw the main top thread for the 5DII on this, but it looked old, and I think there should be one for the 5DIII so here goes.

Ok so I've been shooting with a 40D for a good number of years, and about 6 months ago got my beloved 5D III. I shoot 95% nature photography (landscapes, waterfalls, and a little wildlife, etc), and started doing video.

I came back recently from my big fall trip where I have a bunch of 1080p 24frame rate videos straight off the camera in MOV. I'm a PC user, and used Windows Movie Maker in the past when I used my consumer camcorder. I want to a decent nice dvd/bluray movie out of them, but I'm curious what the best next step is (editing and export). Here are my questions:

1) Looking at the formats and other discussions, I'm confused between the h.264, best format to save to for my hard drive, etc. Do you usually HAVE to go Bluray just for space?

2) PC users only - What software do you use? I've heard Premiere isn't as good as perhaps like Sony or PowerDirector. I am NOT going to be doing some high end documentaries, or full production stuff. I am trying to look more professional, but nothing for sale or anything with videos.

Any direction from other 5DIII users would be appreciated! Thanks as always!

Doug

I use Serif Movieplus X5 for editing my Canon 7D movies. Load them straight into the editor. You can burn DVD's or Bluerays, assuming you have a Blueray burner. Even the DVD's I produce from the 1080 24fps clips look great on my TV. Serif do a free trial version http://www.serif.com/f​ree-video-editing-software/ they also have a very helpful user forum.

The best format to save in is as it comes out of the camera. It's as good as it's going to get. Any change of format is likely to degrade the original footage.

As far as editing and manipulating the footage there are many threads on here noting favoured editors. I like Sony as I think it gives a lot for the money assuming you don't want to get heavily into composting and FX.

You have to go to Bluray for quality not space. If you want to view your footage in beautiful 1080, aside a computer or other computer media player, your only option is Bluray as DVD players aren't HD.

Most programs don't like h.264 but there are a lot of converters that will convert to pro-res. I personally use FCP on Mac but premiere is what I would suggest for PC. As for exporting I do photo-jpeg, it's good quality and I've never had problems with the files after its been exported.