how to import *.mts file to iMovie 11?? HELP!!

iMovie does work with cameras that use .mts files. Millions use it every day. I did it just this morning. .mts is an MPEG transport stream. iMovie will take .mts files as long as it has the metadata information that goes with it. If you have the folder structure that holds the .mts files you can ingest into iMovie using the Import>Camera Archive function. If you striped out just the .mts files from the folder structure you'll have to use something else. Handbrake heavily compresses the media. ClipWrap will transcode it to the Apple Intermediate Codec.

You mean why hasn't Apple made a Blu-ray burner? Nothing stops you from buying a Blu-ray and third party software to make your Blu-ray disc. Apple doesn't have to make all the software on your computer.

Tom Wolsky wrote:

iMovie does work with cameras that use .mts files. Millions use it every day. I did it just this morning. .mts is an MPEG transport stream. iMovie will take .mts files as long as it has the metadata information that goes with it. If you have the folder structure that holds the .mts files you can ingest into iMovie using the Import>Camera Archive function. If you striped out just the .mts files from the folder structure you'll have to use something else. Handbrake heavily compresses the media. ClipWrap will transcode it to the Apple Intermediate Codec.

Good catch... I was attempting to extract only the .mts file from the SDHC card... using the whole file structure on the card has solved this issue for me. Thanks for the tip.

Hello all - I like archiving because the original format is heavily compressed and takes less memory. Furthermore I can then edit in iMovie and change certain files to .mov for editing and using. At this point I have seen 2 general approaches for archiving AVCHD files. I would like to see what people think is the better approach or if both are good. For both approaches I download a set of related files (e.g. my son's birthday) to an SD card. Then:

Scenario 1 - I use iMovie to create a camera archive which preserves the the entire AVCHD file structure. I can then use iMove in the future to recognize the archive and convert to .mov or another format.

Scenario 2 - I create a disk image that contains the entire AVCHD file structure. Similarly can use iMove in the future to recognize.

These approaches seem equivalent to me. I can't tell if there are long term advantages or disadvantages to this. Any thoughts?

One thing I did learn - don't ever rename the .mts file even if you bring the whole AVCHD file structure over. iMovie will no longer recognize it.

You don’t want to convert mts file to Apple ProRes or AIC (Apple Intermediate Codec) for larger file size, no TimeCode and degraded image quality video quality, though many people continue to think it might be right. It’s recommended to convert mts file to MOV, MPEG-4 that iMovie should work with. take your time to read through the real guide about MTS to iMovie importing issue.

I was able to import all the mts. files directly from my sd card directly on my iMac. However, I was wondering if the iMovie app will work the same on an iPad? I can't seem to find any answers to this question anywhere. I'm seeking advice on how I can import my mts. files onto the iPad when I plug my SD card directly to the iPad.

What about Compressor? I've read the reviews about the latest versions and feel very cautios to buy it, but do you know if it has the ability to convert video files prior to importing them to FCPX?

Convert what files? .mts? No it can't.