Trey T wrote in post #8451074
For PC guys, to edit original .mov files, you'll need a
special software that decode your GPU on your graphic card. Other than that, you can NOT edit it w/o the jittering playback.
I just convert it over to mpeg-2(w/ mp2 audio) at 29.97fps, a very light codec for any editors. I render the final edit to mp4(ac3 audio), as it is one of the best delivery format for youtube, vimeo, and exposureroom.
.MOV is more of a delivery format, not something to be edited on. However, ppl have figure out how to utilize GPU decoder to properly playback the native footage in your NLE, as I mentioned above.
Sorry, everything is completely wrong here.
1) You CAN easily edit h.264 baseline 1080p from a 5dmkii on a decent core2duo (2.53gh or better) laptop processor or almost any desktop made in the last two years. You can also view (realtime view, few filters) on many computers with lower specs depending on the codec. If the filter is direct show compatible though (coreAVC, ffdshow [free], other ffmpeg derivatives [Usually free]), a decent gpu will be needed for buffers and some filter effects. You do not NEED expensive codecs that may not even work with your computer (note that it requires desktop 8000 or higher series nvidia cards, probably works with 8800 and newer for laptops too though) or settings (you can't tell the decoder to automatically resize, so no 1080p video in 720p workspaces without major issues. My core duo (not core 2 duo, which is 40% faster) laptop plays 720p 8000kbps high profile unrestricted video (about same processing power as a 5dmkii file, maybe a bit more intensive actually) without any problems (though screen is too small for 1080p, and the GPU isn't happy with 3x buffering of 1080p video), while running vista 32bit. My vista 64bit core i7 desktop plays not one, not two, but up to four high quality, high profile 1080p videos in h.264 without any issues (other than the fact I only have two monitors and one speaker). It's not a PC vs Mac thing, it's an old computer vs new computer thing. Anyone that says otherwise is just not using the right programs.
2) Don't use mpeg2 format at all. It's lossy, and in HD will not provide the improvements in speed you seek.
3) .MOV is a renamed .MP4 container. A container is just as it's name implies, it neatly stores other things, in this case, an h.264 video file and LPCM audio file. You don't need special garbage to open it, just rename the file from MOV_XXXX.mov to MOV_XXXX.mp4. Simple and easy. If you want to import some fancier formats, use the Haali splitter. Free, and supports more things than the quicktime splitter that takes care of .mov extensions.
Trey T wrote in post #8452676This is what I use. It's a pretty powerful encoder, as it let you select which audio type you want to encode to, bc some NLE will not recognize it. i.e. my Sony vegas will not recognize mpeg-2(w/ ac3). I can play the file on VLC fine but when I drag into the timeline, Vegas does NOT see any audio, so it might similar to Premiere.
It's a simple drag and drop software, then select your output format, then change the desired criteria... then convert!!!
I have been converting to mpeg-2(w/ mp2) 1920x1080 @ about 10Mbps. The file is reduced to about 85%. A 4gig file takes about 10-15min, on a DELL D521(pretty slow computer). All of our PCs are dual-core and the software utilizes both core, not sure about quad-core though, even though the site says multi-core support.
obviously, if you can edit the original files, it will saves you a ton of time. for more detail on GPU decoder, ask in cinema5D, DVinfo, or their own forum. I don't know too much about it.
Why spend $40 on that when you can just use megui+avisynth? Completely free, and you can export and import just about anything, from .mov to .wmv to full un-modified dvd vob files. You can export it to mp4, mpeg, mkv, and more. And since it's absolutely free, it's worth every penny you'll save 
And supports up to 16 threads/encode in h.264 mode, though you really only should use 2 threads for encoding, maybe up to 4. Also supports as many workers as you want, so if you have a dual processor xeon 5500 workstation, you can run eight encodes at the same time. Much, much, much faster than adobe media encoder too, at least 5x.
I don't hate macs or OSX, I hate people and statements that portray them as better than anything else. Macs are A solution, not THE solution. Get a good desktop i7 with Windows 7 and come tell me that sucks for photo or video editing.
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