Where do you store your HD video? Is there a way to compress .MOV files

[desmotesta]

Hello all,

I have recently moved from PC to a 17" MBP (early -2011).
Although it was time for a new laptop, at least 50% of the "reasoning" behind buying something powerful was to be finally be able to edit HD Home/vacation videos.

I have around 310 GB of AVCHD (home movies for the least 3-4 years), my MBP came with a 750 GB HDD which I thought was "plenty". I was WRONG.


Yesterday I moved a 1 hour 13 minute AVCHD file (about 5.6 GB @ 12mps record rate, 30 fps) and once my MBP was done converting it to .mov I was left with a 54.6 GB MOV file.

THAT is simply crazy.

PLEASE tell me I am doing something wrong. At this rate I will only be able to process about 25% of my video library.
Even if I choose to use an external HD, my current library will take 3 TB in MOV format.

I am hoping some of the experts/veterans on this forum can help/guide me in the right direction.

Historically (before acquiring the MBP) I was simply copying my AVCHD (.MTS files) onto 2 FAT 32 formatted HDDs which are connected to 2 PS3s.
Both PS3s play AVCHD without any issues.

I WAS hoping to edit movies using my MBP, but if that means I have to live with a file size 10X the original (i do understand/knew that .mts was a compressed file format) then at least 50% of the "reason" for buying the MBP is negated.

I apologize for the long rant - Hope it made some sense.

Looking forward to some feedback

Thank you