AVCHD (.MTS) file import into macOS Photos

Question

Level 1

12 points

AVCHD (.MTS) file import into macOS Photos

In case I can help others with this issues, I'm reposting the "AVCHD (.MTS) file import into macOS Photos" thread from a couple of years ago. After struggling with this for several hours in order to import archived folders containing Sony AVCHD files (spanning several years and all 10+ years ago) into Photos footage from a restored hard drive, I found the following thread, which quickly resolved my issues:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/photos-for-mac-how-import-avchd-video.2098717/

Revealing the "MTS" files is helpful; however, Apple's Photos app still will not import them. After trying the new version of Roxio Toast Titanium, which will batch convert the files (as it did years ago) but wasn't retaining all of the metadata (or at least not on the settings that I was using), I thankfully found the MacRumors thread above. I purchased ClipWrap (now EditReady), and successfully --- and quickly -- used its superb "Rewrap" settings to convert each subfolder of revealed MTS files to MOV files, all of which were easily imported into Photos on my Mac (M1 chip running macOS Monterey).

I merely am reposting here in case I can save someone else hours of struggles. There might be other options; however, there is no direct Apple option works unless the Sony video files are saved in MP4 containers (true for newer models). Using EditReady was by far the best and most efficient one for me, despite paying $79.99.

Mac mini, OS X 10.11

Posted on May 22, 2022 7:04 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

jasonhavens Author

Level 1

12 points

May 22, 2022 8:58 AM in response to Matti Haveri

Sure, I just replicated yet again (attached screenshot below this follow-up response). As I just mentioned to someone else, I also tried to import these files to iMovie and then migrate them into Photos, which also failed and generated the same error message, despite the fact that the files were then supposedly in MOV format.

There probably are multiple free options to accomplish the same thing or something similar. Even so, I didn't want to take the chance of losing part or all of the historic footage's metadata. As I also just mentioned in my other follow-up response, I'm no AV expert. As a result, I also didn't want to take chances on losing resolution or any other generally good characteristics -- for that time period, anyway (10+ years ago) -- of the historic AVCHD/MTS files.

There are numerous threads on a variety of discussion boards/forums on this topic, including some within the past few years. I gladly shouldn't need to deal with this again. If someone else is in a similar situation, though, and doesn't have AV expertise and/or extra time to attempt to resolve on their own, I hope that this will help, at least as one potential solution.

Reply

Answer 2

May 22, 2022 8:47 AM in response to jasonhavens

Do you have an offending sample clip refusing to import to Photos?

MPEG1, MPEG2, VOB and MTS were old delivery, not editing, formats that people chose to edit anyway. MPEG used to need a $$ QuickTime add-on to be viewed and listened. But not anymore.

There are numerous $$ 3rd party apps to convert those old (and some new like VP8, VP9, A_OPUS etc...) codecs to readily viewable movies. This is OK. But there are also "free as in beer" apps like ffmpeg etc that can convert them with more options.

Reply

Answer 3

jasonhavens Author

Level 1

12 points

May 22, 2022 8:42 AM in response to Yer_Man

Yes, thanks. The additional context here was that I had to pay (dearly) to recover a hard drive that contained all of this footage. However, I wanted to import it into Apple's ecosystem, which I have used consistently since the time that this historic footage was taken (10+ years ago), and retain all metadata. One of these folders/subfolders included footage in MP4 format, which was easy to import into Photos. It was all of the AVCHD/MTS files that presented the challenge.

I definitely am not an AV expert, although most of us presumably have no issues such as this nowadays, given how advanced iPhones and other smartphones have become. I did try both iMovie and Final Cut, and like both for editing, as you suggested. However, neither would batch convert these historic Sony files in any easy way and without sacrificing both metadata and resolution-related characteristics. It was a hard lesson learned, which I gladly will not need to do in the future!

Reply

Answer 4

Yer_Man

Level 10

165,768 points

May 22, 2022 8:27 AM in response to jasonhavens

A note on AVCHD: This format was developed for people who are shooting to edit the material afterwards. If you're shooting to edit, then iMovie or Final Cut are the correct home for this material. If you're not shooting to edit consider using one of the other video formats on your Camera.

Reply

Answer 5

May 22, 2022 9:30 AM in response to jasonhavens

> There probably are multiple free options to accomplish the same thing or something similar. Even so, I didn't want to take the chance of losing part or all of the historic footage's metadata. As I also just mentioned in my other follow-up response, I'm no AV expert. As a result, I also didn't want to take chances on losing resolution or any other generally good characteristics

Old image and movie codecs seldom have any useful metadata. And many 3rd party apps usually have limited options to deal with rectangular-to-square-pixel resolution and interlacing in movies. But use whatever suits you.

Reply

AVCHD (.MTS) file import into macOS Photos

Similar questions