Converting .m2t Files For Use In Final Cut Pro 6.02

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Level 1

60 points

Converting .m2t Files For Use In Final Cut Pro 6.02

I have a number of .m2t files captured on a PC using Sony Vegas as .m2t files. I know that I cannot directly bring these into FCP6 nor Compressor 3 and I am seeking the best workflow for converting these .m2t files for editing in FCP6. One workflow that seems to work is to bring the .m2t files into VisulaHub (which imports them nicely) and converting them to MPEG-4 files. These MPEG-4 files can be brought into FCP6, but when I apply them to the timeline and allow FCP6 to match the sequence settings to the file format, I get a red render bar over the files. However, when I select "Render All) the render is essentially instantaneous and I can play the files in real time in FCP6.

My questions are does anyone have a better workflow for converting .m2t files into a format that can be (a) edited in FCP6 and does not require a second render just to get them to play in FCP6?(b) Is there anything wrong with the workflow that I have described above?

Thank you in advance for any help or advice you can give to me.

Tom

Mac Pro 8-core (Early 2008), Mac OS X (10.5.2), 2.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB HD, two Hitachi 1TB in Raid 0

Posted on Feb 26, 2008 12:55 PM

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Answer 1

VJK

Level 5

4,260 points

Feb 26, 2008 1:23 PM in response to TomWheeler

Don't convert them to MPEG4. Use a more edit-friendly format like DV or some flavour of Hd. Select the approriate setup.

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Answer 2

TomWheeler Author

Level 1

60 points

Feb 26, 2008 8:15 PM in response to VJK

I don't want to use DV because these .m2t files are from an HDV camcorder and I want to preserve the aspect ratio and resolution in the files. What other "flavor" of HD would you suggest that I convert them to since (a) I can't bring the files into FCP6 or Compressor (b) I don't see any other flavors of HD to use in VisualHub.

The whole business of converting .m2t files to a FCP6 compatible format, i.e. a Quicktime format, would seem to be one that is commonly encountered, and yet I have never found a thread on this forum that really answers this question: What is the best workflow for converting .m2t files for use in FCP? Surely, one of the pros who frequent this forum must have dealt with this issue and have an answer.

I don't want to have to recapture the files from tape all over again just to use them in FCP6.

Tom

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Answer 3

poppijade

Level 4

1,374 points

Feb 27, 2008 4:30 AM in response to TomWheeler

Maybe because I'm in Tokyo and grumpy from jet lag, but the best work flow is to start with your tape. The m2t stuff is for distribution. So its the end of the line. Not good for editing and FCP is for editing. No amount of messing with converters is going to be a satisfactory workflow. Lots of time spent messing and nothing will be quite right. On the basis of your hardware ,rendering should not be an issue here and starting with the best yields the best and flows the best to get there. Finally and with grumpiness, this issue is in fact covered in this forum many many times. Search is your friend.

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Answer 4

Feb 27, 2008 5:57 AM in response to TomWheeler

Unfortunately, there is nothing out yet that eliminates the conversion process of getting your m2t files into FCP. I use a Sony V1U camera with a DR60 hard drive and the files are recorded as m2t files. I have checked with everyone and the only way to do this is through a conversion program. I use MPEG Streamclip which is pretty nice.

I though am stumped on my end. When I import files from the tape of the camera (which I still use) and then import files from the hard drive (using mpeg streamclip) FCP doesn't allow me to add transitions to the clips. I'm really new at this, so it's obvious there is a difference in the type of clips that I've imported. Good luck.

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Answer 5

RedTruck

Level 4

2,145 points

Feb 27, 2008 6:27 AM in response to Thumper Lee

you need handles on your clips in the timeline to add transitions. If you convert your clips, and then try to use them in their entirety, you are not giving the trasition anything to work with. Try setting in and out points for each clip at 15 frames after the beginning and 15 frames before the end. That will give you the ability to add a 1 second transition. If you want a longer trans, then you will have to cut off more of the beg and end. The math is, for an equal length transition, you need half of the trans length cut off on each clip to cover it. Of course, more than half is okay, but you you need at least half.

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Answer 6

Andy Mees

Level 6

12,610 points

Feb 27, 2008 6:46 AM in response to TomWheeler

Convert the files to DVCPRO HD, ProRes422 or Apple Intermediate Codec

You can use MPEG Streamclip to do this directly from the m2t files ... I dare say you can do the same with Visual Hub.

Enjoy
Andy

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Answer 7

Feb 27, 2008 7:08 AM in response to TomWheeler

This link may help us all

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/minisites/HDV/HVR-Z7U/unit_softwar e.html

It is even saying that Sony has a plug in for the DR60 which will allow you to bring files directly into FCP. I'm on hold right now trying to download the file. If this works, wow, what a time saver.

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Answer 8

TomWheeler Author

Level 1

60 points

Feb 27, 2008 8:47 AM in response to Andy Mees

Andy,

Thanks for the suggestions. I have MPEG StreamClip and I shall give your suggestions a go. Actual, as far as I can tell VisulaHub does not provide for conversions to DVCPRo HD, PRoRes422, or the AIC. I think that for my purposes converting the .m2t files to DVCPro HD is probably the best solution. Thank you again.

Tom

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Answer 9

TomWheeler Author

Level 1

60 points

Feb 27, 2008 8:50 AM in response to Thumper Lee

Thumper,

I am quite excited to find the information and software in the link that you provided. It looks like a great solution to using .m2t files in FCP. Unfortunately, when I try and download the software, I get a message telling me I don't have permission to access the site. Did you ever succeed in downloading the plugin that allows .mt2 files to be used in FCP6?

Tom

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Answer 10

David S.

Level 7

20,636 points

Feb 27, 2008 9:11 AM in response to TomWheeler

That's interesting

I wonder if you need to start elsewhere at the site and enter some serial number of your cam.

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Answer 11

TomWheeler Author

Level 1

60 points

Feb 27, 2008 9:20 AM in response to David S.

David,

After trying for quite some time, I was never able to find this software anywhere but at the link given for which I get the denial of access message. There may be somewhere to enter the serial number of equipment, but I cannot find it. I am not sure that this plugin would work for anything other than Sony's HD recorder which I do not have in any case.

Tom

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Answer 12

Feb 27, 2008 12:50 PM in response to TomWheeler

Sony's tech support couldn't even verify what that plug in was or why it was on their website. I too could not download it. They said that a plug in was in development, but wasn't sure if it was ready to ship. Hard to believe they would go to all that trouble to develop such a great product and technology and not support it. They were going to research it for me and get back. As soon as I hear of something, I will post it. Sorry for getting everyone fired up.

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Answer 13

Mar 3, 2008 7:52 AM in response to Thumper Lee

I too have phoned Sony Europe Support continually on this and only one support guy even knew of the software's existence - or at least planned existence! I was a trade fair on London last month and the sales guys had a beta version of the software and were using it and all seemed to work (for the DR60 at least not the Z7 yet) but assured me the software would be available FOR LAUNCH.

Well I've had my Euro Z7E for a week now and there's NO QUICK WAY of getting those great looking M2T files into FCP - Mpegstreamclip is just too slow!

I'm really hacked off with Sony!

If anyone knows of the plugin's whereabouts PLEASE post the info here!

Fingers crossed huh!

cheers

Steve

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Answer 14

Mar 3, 2008 1:44 PM in response to Stephen Towle

A plug-in? That makes two pieces of kit work well together??!

What a great notion.

I use MPEG Streamclip for exporting .m2t files off our HVR-DR60's - as others have said, not the greatest workflow, but you can, at least, set a batch export (command + B) and have a nice vat of tea while you're waiting for all your clips to convert - hey, it's faster than capturing.

If you're interested, I export to Quicktime using the Apple HDV 1080i50 (or 1080p25) codec and it seems to work a treat for me.

Off topic (and frankly completely hijacking your thread), but can anyone help me with my HDV print-to-video problem in this thread please?

Cheers,

Jim

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Answer 15

AlexTW

Level 1

0 points

Mar 11, 2008 7:11 AM in response to Stephen Towle

The plugin can download now.

http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/prohdv/fcpplugin/

And I have tested the m2t files from HVR-MRC1. Great job!

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