convert .MTS video files into mac .MOV

Thank you Sidd for that valuable information. I'm sure others having import issues will find that very useful. A while back, I recall reading about creating a disk image as an archive. I think AppleMan1958 recommended this for archiving under iMovie '08, which didn't have an archive feature (unlike iMovie '09).

So, your method has a twofold purpose - it creates an archive and allows you to convert the clips to a suitable format for editing by iMovie '09 (mp4).

Thanks again Sidd.

John

As I know, the fastest and easiest solution to convert AVCHD to mov is to use Aunsoft MTS/M2TS Converter for Mac. It is an all-in-one AVCHD converter tool specially designed to convert mts to avi, wmv, mpg, mov, vob, mpeg, flv, f4v, 3gp, mp4, etc with excellent quality and super fast conversion speed.
http://www.aunsoft.com/mts-converter-mac/

Thanks kibum. That looks like a very capable converter, and at a reasonable price.

Unless I missed it, the only issue I have is that Aunsoft doesn't have an option to convert to Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC), the preferred full frame editing format for iMovie '09. It will be handy though for those having trouble getting iMovie to connect with their cameras - it provides a good alternative.

Thanks again - even though there's no AIC, your post certainly has relevance to the topic in question (convert .MTS video files into mac .MOV).

John

I have a Panasonic AG-HMC150P and I am having the same problem, only I use FCP. I had imported footage once (the first time I used it) and was able to just drag and drop footage and use it in FCP 6.6 as a QT file that is in AppleProRes 422 format. Now the second time I went to import footage, the footage is appearing in the MTS and CPI format and I can't open it in FCP or use Compressor either. Would you suggest anything else? Or should I just use these Voltaic or Aunsoft software? PLEASE HELP!

So, I actually answered my own question... after using and editing with the new Canon T2i, which you can just drag and drop, I forgot the old faithful Log and Transfer function...which is the way I was able to import the .mts files and use them to edit in FCP. Sorry about that, but hopefully that will help someone else.

I use avchd files myself and I copy my mts files into a folder for later .... If I need to import them into iMovie I use Toast 10 with the blu ray plug in to create an image disc of the mts footage I need. By making a avchd dvd in Toast then mounting it, iMovie will see it as a camera once mounted and any footage I have selected is now available for a iMovie import as if I had it on my mem stick. iMovie seems to make the best imports and is way quicker than the 3rd party stuff. If you make a discin Toast (dvd-r) rather than image the resulting disc is also playable on a blu ray player as well so that footage can still be pulled in by iMovie at any time because these discs are in avchd camera format once created. If you dont feel like making a disc just make an image then mount it and iMovie will use that as its camera then delete the image when you have made your imports.
I recommend Toast 10 Pro with blu ray plugin for anyone using a avchd camera - it just gives you more power to handle those pesky mts files. Also if you have Popcorn 4 the included media player will playback your mts files natively with no stuttering,etc... just set .mts for playback with the media player and all you need to do is double click any mts file and watch them on your screen like you would a mov... I used to use xmbc or vlc but the roxio media player handles mts better in my opinion. I keep hoping quicktime will handle mts files natively but that day has not come....
Anyway I love avchd and thought I'd share....

John
Coral Springs,FL

I have the exact same problem. Starting in Dec. 2009, Imovie will not download the videos from my camcorder Cannon HG10. Prior to this date everything worked fine. In fact I even bought a new mac and hope that my luck would change, but it did not. I've followed much of the advice online, restart, use different cords, but nothing works. I've started transferring file using on the recommended mts to mov converters, but it takes a long time and i think the quality of the video is not as good. i just decided to delete old video that are backed up and see if that solves the problem. Perhaps one corrupt file could mess it up. I've been too nervous to reformat the hard drive on the camcorder. Any other suggestions would be great.
Glad to hear there is someone else in the same frustrating boat as me.

FYI, my problem was solved by initializing my camcorder. It was not an imovie issue at all, but camcorder requires that files are deleted from the camcorder and not through the computer. Perhaps after backing up your files, if you delete all the files through the camcorder and then start recording again, it should connect to imovie. I have a canon hg10.
Good luck.
JT

wheezer07...you are a genius! Just got my new MacBook pro to connect with my canon VIXA HFM31 by doing a full initialization as you suggested below...was so bummed out the last few days as I just got the mac book pro...even the Apple store folks could not assist me. A quick 10 minute search and you saved me countless months of pain a suffering!

Thanks!

JT