I really would like to purchase Final Cut Pro X but I would like to check one thing. I need to know if Final Cut Pro X will import .MTS AVCHD files. These were recorded on a Panasonic 1080p Camcorder. I also have 1080i footage. I understand the methods of importing into Final Cut but I don't know if FC will work with these files. I would like to import then edit and then output to bluray.
Many thanks in advance.
Steven
Mac OS X (10.6.7)
Hi.
Final Cut Pro X fully supports AVCHD.
But it is not possible to import single .MTS files.
You will have to back up the full contents of your SD card, with all directories and files and the use the import
from camera and then go to archive.
That is necessary, because AVCDH is a stream and there's additional info saved on the card.
Anyway: if you backup AVCDH, back up the full card with all directories. I always do this for every project.
If you've already thrown everything aways and only kept the .mts files, maybe you could convert them with handbrake to mp4 to at least be able to use them. I don't know of any other method right now out of my mind.
Maybe somebody else can help?
Thanks for the explanation of your workflow -- this is a very clear explanation of the rationale behind your suggestions. One last question: if you had the option of shooting in MP4 or AVCHD, what would your preference be and why?
They're both MPEG-4 based formats, so there isn't enough information there. MPEG-4 can be a lot of things, as so can AVCHD, which you can see from the many available specs in most cameras. There probably isn't much real difference except what FCP does with the AVCHD file. When imported from the archive or the card, the file is rewrapped to QuickTime and the audio converted from compress AC3 to uncompressed AIFF, which is much better to work with. If you import MPEG-4 I don't think FCP goes through the same process, and the media probably should be optimzied.
Clipwrap was updated and is now sold as EditReady https://www.divergentmedia.com/editready and I find it really useful. The re-wrap option makes for zero loss of quality. I prefer to re-wrap my MTS files and import them into FCP as MOVs. Works great for my situation.
Import of AVCHD .MTS files
