Importing AVCHD MTS files

Hi there MadMac

Sorry to threadjack, but can I get some more details about spoofing iMovie into beliving you've got a AVCHD camera plugged in?

You said to copy the file structure:

DCIM -> 100CDPFP
MISC
PRIVATE
-> AVCHD
--> AVCHDTN
--> BDMV
---> CLIPINF
---> PLAYLIST
---> STREAM (contains .MTS files)

Do you mean put the .mts in DCIM/100CDPFP/AVCHD/AVCDHTN/BDMV/CLIPINF/PLAYLIST/STREAM ??

What disc format do I need to use? E.g. HFS / NTFS / DOS-16 / DOS-32 ?

Oh brave new world! I think I prefer it when my rushes arrive on digibeta!

Thanks


Tall Jim

Dear Geoffrey Dufour: I would like to do the same as you in connecting an external HDD and having iMovie 08 recognize it as a camera. I am using a Sony HDR CX7 and copying the .mts files in their entirety to a WD Passport portable drive with USB 2.0. I tried connecting this to iMovie but it would not recognize it as a camera.

Can you tell me what steps you are taking to have the firewire drive (800 or 400?) recognized by iMovie? Are you copying .MTS files in their entire structure onto the firewire drive?

Thanks.

I'm not an expert but here is my feedback on HG10/AVCHD :

The quality of the converted files is great.

But be aware that AVCHD has its weaknesses and it is not only related to file processing.

Some people say they don't see any artifacts with their AVCHD camcorder (SD5, ...).

On 42" plasma, I can say I see problems with movements, complex scenes, fast moving subjects, ... I don't think it is related to the HG10 but to the AVCHD format.

But I can't compare to HDV, maybe it is normal with a consumer HD camcorder (even HDV).

I was about to buy the SD5 but found a very good review of the HG10 (camcorderinfo) now confirmed by their 2007 Awards.

Maybe the SD5 is a better camcorder, but I don't think so (they are both good AVCHD camcorders).

Another problem : playback on TV. I can play the unedited AVCHD files on my PS3, but how can you play your HD movies if you don't have one or a compatible HD-DVD/BR player ?

I'm not saying the HG10 is a bad choice, but be sure to read a lot of reviews and user comments in the forum about AVCHD, HG10 (and the other models) before making your choice.

Regards.

Thanks! I am on the road at the moment downloading the exact file structures from my memory stick files to a portable USB 2 hard drive. I'm going to see if I can get iMovie to recognize multiple files as a camera when I get home.

iMovie is not detecting my HDR-SR1. I see the .MTS file in the file structure, but I've tried various combinations and I don't know how to get iMovie to import manually or automatically. I may try Voltaic.

"But be aware that AVCHD has its weaknesses and it is not only related to file processing.

Some people say they don't see any artifacts with their AVCHD camcorder (SD5, ...).

On 42" plasma, I can say I see problems with movements, complex scenes, fast moving subjects, ... I don't think it is related to the HG10 but to the AVCHD format.

But I can't compare to HDV, maybe it is normal with a consumer HD camcorder (even HDV)."

You nailed it. AVCHD provides worse quality than HDV/MPEG-2 plus a codec that's VERY slow to decode PLUS complex import. It's too bad folks don't read reviews BEFORE they buy AVCHD. Sure SD cards and DVDs are cute -- but cute doesn't cut it IMHO.

Being forced to upgrade to not-ready-for-primetime 10.5 seems a big danger just to be able to read AVCHD DVDs.

I found after imovie'08 imported the clips, the original dates when the clips were made were all messed up. Have you found the same problem?
thanks.

I am having the same problem. Have you found a way to work with your old footage?
Thanks.

Hi,

I'd be glad if you could tell me about the quality of the avchd files converted into aic files, as I am pretty interested in buying a HG10 camera like yours.

Bye,

Fabrizio

When I plug in the usb from my Sony SR7, iPhoto popped up instead of iMovie. And from the iPhoto, I don't even see the video files. Am I missing a step?

thx,
gundamz

sorry, here is the right implement

DCIM -> 100CDPFP
MISC
PRIVATE
-> AVCHD
--> AVCHDTN
--> BDMV
---> CLIPINF
---> PLAYLIST
---> STREAM (contains .MTS files)