QwertyMan11

Q: AVCHD Import to Photos - how?

I know iPhoto used to allow this, can't find how to do it on Photos. Can it be done? If not what do I do, best way etc? I have an iMac with Yosemite, the standard software packages, no Final cut, Abode etc, I just use the software that Apple supplied really.

 

The camera is a Panasonic TZ40 which records video in 1080P in AVCHD format. I use this as my camcorder and camera.

 

Anyone help please

thanks

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Aug 31, 2015 1:15 PM

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Q: AVCHD Import to Photos - how?

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  • by QwertyMan11,

    QwertyMan11 QwertyMan11 Dec 4, 2015 8:58 AM in response to QwertyMan11
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 4, 2015 8:58 AM in response to QwertyMan11

    I now have OS X 10.11 El Capitan but still can't seem to import to Photos. Is this possible? I've tried dragging the folder as is from my camera (Panasonic TZ40) but just says "none of these files can be imported to your photo library"

     

    I use iCloud photo library as well, does this matter? IS the best solution just to convert the AVCHD to MP4 and then import? I have a program called iVi that can convert? will the quality still be ok?

     

    thanks

  • by QwertyMan11,

    QwertyMan11 QwertyMan11 Dec 9, 2015 8:42 AM in response to QwertyMan11
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 9, 2015 8:42 AM in response to QwertyMan11

    No one help with this issue please? Does no one have mts AVCHD files to import?

     

    thanks

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Dec 9, 2015 8:49 AM in response to QwertyMan11
    Level 10 (140,908 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Dec 9, 2015 8:49 AM in response to QwertyMan11

    Since AVCHD videos are designed primarily for those who plan on doing a lot of editing you can try downloading them to the Desktop using Image Capture and import into iMovie where you can do the editing. 

     

    If you don't plan on a lot of editing shooting regular videos might serve you better.

    OTsig.png

  • by QwertyMan11,

    QwertyMan11 QwertyMan11 Dec 9, 2015 8:51 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 9, 2015 8:51 AM in response to Old Toad

    To be honest I don't really edit, but my motto is to always shoot video and pictures in the best the camera can, as memory cards are so cheap, and then you can always go down in quality later, but never up after taking them.

     

    So although I probably won't edit them, I may join clips together and edit out certain bits, but I've never learned how to use iMovie yet an so am in a bit of limbo, and also there is lots of video at the moment...

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Dec 9, 2015 9:01 AM in response to QwertyMan11
    Level 10 (140,908 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Dec 9, 2015 9:01 AM in response to QwertyMan11

    This is the only info I've found on AVCHD and  iPhoto or Photos: Using AVCHD video with iPhoto '11 - Apple Support

     

    Most of the topics on the web about AVCHD and iPhoto or Photos discuss converting them to other formats for use by iPhoto and now Photos.

     

    As for resolution/quailty of videos I would think shooting at 1080p would be sufficient for nearly all needs.  But then I'm a point and shoot with an iPhone video taker.

     

    As a test launch Photos with the Option key held down and create a new, test library.  Try to import some some of the AVCHD videos and to see if the same problem persists. Does it?

  • by oregonpete,

    oregonpete oregonpete Sep 3, 2016 10:57 AM in response to QwertyMan11
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 3, 2016 10:57 AM in response to QwertyMan11

    I used to mount the Memory Stick Card from my camera in a Mem Stick-to-USB adapter and drag and drop the AVCHD folder on the iPhoto icon. This didn't work with Photos. I got the "none of these files can be imported to your photo library" error that others have mentioned.

     

    However, after a couple of drag and drop attempts I got distracted by something else and just left the Memory Stick mounted on the desktop and Photos open while I did another task. Lo and behold when I got back to Photos about ten minutes later, there were the contents of the Memory Stick ready to be selected and imported. I did a couple of other trials and found that Photos did eventually recognize a mounted card as a "device". but it took anywhere from 1 to 4 minutes, longer times for bigger cards with more content.

     

    So, Photos can import AVCHD media in a quite straightforward way, at least with my setup*, just not via drag and drop.

     

    *Sony HDR-TG5V camcorder

    iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)

    OS 10.11.6 (El Capitan)

    Photos 1.5

    Sandisk Memory Stick Pro Duo 8GB

    Sandisk MicroMate Memory Stick DUO M2 Card Reader (SDDR-108-E12M )