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

32 replies

Mar 11, 2008 7:25 AM in response to AlexTW

nice one 🙂

Mar 11, 2008 8:06 AM in response to AlexTW

oh hang on.....

just tried this plugin, installed, rebooted, fcp 6.0.2, log and transfer window....

the 1080i50 m2t files are all still greyed out, the plugin won't let me import......

am I doing something wrong?

this is importing from the Sony Z7 Memory Recording Unit CF reader.....

HELP!

Steve

Mar 11, 2008 8:53 AM in response to Stephen Towle

looking into more detail the 'import preferences' pane has import options for AVCHD, HDD (HDV 1080p24A) and P2 AVC-Intra...

so no mention of Memory Recording Unit, or the M2T's from that Compact Flash recording Unit.

****!!

Anyone?

AlexTW

Level 1

0 points

Mar 11, 2008 9:01 AM in response to Stephen Towle

If you used Sony Memory Recording Unit (like HVR-MRC1)

Please selected the "VIDEO" folder and click "Open"

PS: The "VIDEO" folder include "HVR" folder and *.idx , *.m2t files

Mar 11, 2008 9:18 AM in response to AlexTW

yep, did that. Curiously I booted into a clean install of Leopard and Final Cut Studio 2 and it worked fine there!! Just my main drive setup obviously didn't install the plugin correctly. Weird.

Oh well it does work, just need to find out what's going wrong on the main system

Thanks again

TomWheeler Author

Level 1

60 points

Mar 11, 2008 9:55 AM in response to Stephen Towle

I was quite excited to discover that I could now download this plugin. I did so and it appeared to install with no problems. Unfortunately, I am still not able to import .m2t files into FCP 6.02 using the log and transfer method. When I try and bring in a .m2t file into the log and transfer window, I get the message that this Is "an unsupported file type or an invalid directory structure...". This is a .m2t file that was captured from my Sony HDR-FX-1 in Sony's Vegas and transferred to the HD of my Mac Pro. I am fresh out of ideas of what to do to get this plugin to work, and I woudl appreciate any help that anyone can give.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

AlexTW

Level 1

0 points

Mar 11, 2008 11:23 AM in response to TomWheeler

I think the plugin just support for Sony Recoding Unit like HVR-MRC1 or HVR-DR60

and need the correct directory structure like this:
< VIDEO >
........|_ < HVR >
.............|- xx xxxx_xxxx-xx-xxxxxxxx.IDX
.............|- xx xxxx_xxxx-xx-xxxxxxxx.m2t
.............|_ tracks.dat

TomWheeler Author

Level 1

60 points

Mar 11, 2008 12:19 PM in response to AlexTW

Thanks, that is what I was afraid of.

Tom

Mar 11, 2008 12:59 PM in response to TomWheeler

My suggestion to everyone in this forum is to ask that FCP build a universal Log and Transfer window, that they work with the major manufactures of sony, canon, jvc, etc. to build a fully-functioning Log and Transfer window similar to what is currently there for Log and Capture. Without that I'm afraid, we're all going to be sitting around twirling our thumbs looking for some type of annoying work around. Right now the only supported gear, for log and transfer appears to be Panasonic P2 TECHNOLOGY. I recommend also sending a email to your manufacture asking that they work with Apple in getting it developed and in production for the quickest turn around.

"If you don't ask, then you can't receive."

Best of Luck,

J.

Mar 23, 2008 8:48 AM in response to Stephen Towle

Stephen,

I have heard rumors of Sony releasing this recording unit as a separate item in May. Can you give some details on how the conversion process worked and how long it took to convert the files once the m2t files were on your hard drive.

TIA

TomJet

Level 1

0 points

Apr 19, 2008 11:46 AM in response to TomWheeler

Since I read about the plugin for FCP on this site, I updated my FCP and it went right to 6.03.
Now the plugin wont install still giving me this message, that FCP 6.0.2. or higher is required.
Anyone else with the same problem? Is there a way to install the plugin manually?

Apr 19, 2008 1:17 PM in response to TomJet

That's what mine says, too. I have 6.0.3. I guess Sony has to issue an update.

I appears that a third party utility, Pacifist (available from Versiontracker.com) will let you open the package from Sony and extract just the plugin you want. Does it work? Beats me, I have neither the MRC1 or the HR60. I put the plug in in the library/application support/proaps/MIO/RAD/plugins directory and it didn't make FCP 6.0.3 crash; but I can't test it or see it since I don't have the proper hardware plugged in.

If you have one of the magic .mt2 units from Sony, you might give it a whirl and tell us inquiring minds how it goes.

PS: Note: I have os X 10.4.11, NOT LEOPARD and a G5 Quad, not an Intel machine.

Eddie O

Apr 21, 2008 9:16 PM in response to Edward A. Oates

I just got the HVR-V7U which comes with the MRC1. I too had the error when trying to install the Sony plugin from the DMG to 6.0.3. I used the Pacifist method you suggested, and although it gives me an error that there are some unsupported files and/or bad directory structure, all the files showed up. And better yet, they imported fine. I'll probably try to run a more thorough test this weekend. Thanks for the tip!

Apr 23, 2008 8:51 AM in response to Edward A. Oates

Hi Eddie O,

Thanks for the great tip. I tried it and it workes like a charm. Solved my problem and without any errors so far, so I keep my fingers crossed.

Regards,

Spotlights

TomJet

Level 1

0 points

Apr 24, 2008 4:12 PM in response to Edward A. Oates

Jeeaaahh! Works perfect. created the folders MIO/RAD/plugins and already imported some files. Great. Thx a lot. Tom

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Converting .m2t Files For Use In Final Cut Pro 6.02