.mts to .mov (with Apple Intermediate Codec)

Question

.mts to .mov (with Apple Intermediate Codec)

Hi.

I would like to ask you if is it possible to (batch) convert movies from my handycam Sony HiD AVCHD (.MTS) to FCE (.mov) with Apple Intermediante Codec inside the .mov file.

I successly converted my .mts files with FFMPEG:
ffmpeg -i 0011.mts -sameq -deinterlace 0011.mov

But, I need "Apple Intermediate Codec" inside the .mov file to avoid FCE from "render" again all my videos.

Thank you in advance

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Dec 1, 2009 3:53 PM

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Answer 1

skalicki

Level 5

4,448 points

Dec 1, 2009 4:06 PM in response to FranciscoMiralha

Hi and welcome to the forum,

If your camera is AVCHD, why don't you just use FCE's "Log and Transfer" function (File > Log and Transfer) that automatically handles the conversion to AIC? It would save you a lot of time, effort, and probably quality.

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Answer 2

Dec 1, 2009 4:22 PM in response to skalicki

Hi!

Because... I was without space on my handycam.. and.. in a rush.. I needed to shoot an interview... so.. I quickly opened FINDER and DELETED some movies directly from the "STREAM" folder on my cam. Guess what happened ? 😟
Since then.. I can not use FCE anymore to import my videos.

I think I'll have to completely reformat the hard drive of my camera to get FCE working again.

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Answer 3

Dec 1, 2009 4:42 PM in response to FranciscoMiralha

When I connect my camera to iMac FCE says:

"NO NAME" (my handycam) contains unsupported media or has an invalid directory structure. Please choose a folder whose directory structure matches supported media.

Accessing the "menu" of the camera, I did run VERIFY HD MEDIA, so it found errors and corrected them. But I'm still without being able do import my movies.

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Answer 4

skalicki

Level 5

4,448 points

Dec 1, 2009 4:47 PM in response to FranciscoMiralha

Yeah, you should never delete video from the folder on your Mac but instead from the camcorder itself. Reformatting seems like a good plan, but remember that it will erase all the video currently on your camcorder.

To help you with your current problem, you will probably be able to use the free [MPEG Streamclip|http://www.squared5.com> to convert your QuickTime file to AIC at the correct settings to match your sequence in FCE: Most likely 1440x1080 or 1920x1080 at 29.97fps with Audio set to Uncompressed Stereo 48kHz. Streamclip has a batch convert feature as well.

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Answer 5

Dec 1, 2009 5:25 PM in response to skalicki

Hi there skalicki`.

Thank you very much for your help!!
I was a litle bit stressed here.

Well, it worked: I tested MPEG Streamclip to open one of my .mov and convert it to quicktime format with Apple Intermediate Codec and inserted that file into my Final Cut Express project and ... yes! it worked! No "re-rendering" processes.

For now, the steps I'm using are:

1) copy my xxx.mts files to /tmp

2) ffmpeg -i xxx.mts -sameq -deinterlace xxx.mov

* the annoying thing is that ffmpeg just cannot convert some movies:
[h264 @ 0x1003600]sps_id out of range
[h264 @ 0x1003600]B picture before any references, skipping
[h264 @ 0x1003600]decode sliceheader error
[h264 @ 0x1003600]no frame!
[h264 @ 0x1003600]B picture before any references, skipping
...

3) Open MPEG Streamclip and convert xxx.mov to /tmp/newmov/xxx.mov
codec= Apple Intermediate Codec, audio=direct copy

Now I'm looking for a way to use MPEG Streamclip from command line ..

Thank you again!

🙂

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Answer 6

skalicki

Level 5

4,448 points

Dec 1, 2009 5:35 PM in response to FranciscoMiralha

No problem, glad it's working for you! Remember that Streamclip also has a Batch convert function that you can access by going to List > Batch List (Cmd-B). That should save you some time.

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