Canon vixia HF M40 frame rates changing on import
Hi All,
I purchased the Canon Vixia HF M40 camcorder and I am unable to import my footage while retaining the frame rate I chose on the camera. The Canon is capable of recording footage (24Mbps AVCHD) at 60i, 30p (recorded at 60i) and 24p (recorded at 60i). When I select a frame rate and record footage, it plays back correctly from the Canon. 60i footage looks like a soap opera, 30p looks like prime time TV, 24p looks like film quality. However, when I import the footage to my macbook pro using iMovie 11, it seems to convert the 60i and the 24p to 29.97 frame rate...or 30p for short.
Here is what I would like to do:
1. How do I import the footage and retain the frame rate so it looks the way I filmed it while I'm editing?
2. Instead of importing thru iMovie, should I copy the .MTS file to my mac and use a 3rd party software to convert to .mov?
3. I have access to Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro if needed...would that make this process easier?
4. If I can't retain the frame rate during import, what is the best way to convert back to the original frame rate from 29.97?
5. Should I consider using the HDMI output of the camera to capture from?
I have a couple more days to return the camera (2 week return policy) and pickup a Sony HDR-CX360V which appears to do true 60p, 60i and true 24p. If this conversion is more trouble than it's worth, the Sony may be my answer.
Any advice or help you can provide will be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Jordy
Macbook, Mac OS X (10.6.6)