Import of AVCHD .MTS files

Muppetchef, I could actually import MTS files from the BDMV folders from the camcorder selection. I agree that this program still has a few warts, but it generally works pretty well. AVCHD files do require a lot of processing time to render to ProRes etc. Thankfully you can do this in the background. FCP on my 2007 MacPro does not like other applications multitasking while it is working.

The latest updates to FCPX will import MTS video files as either native (not good for smooth editing, "Optimized" Converts to ProRes 422, or "Proxy" Converts to ProRes422 Proxy Format, smaller file but not as good.

AVCHD MTS files do not open directly in Finder, but you can use Folder "ACTION" in the menu to "Open package contents" and in a couple steps access the MTS files under "Stream" and copy them. Works fine. A good free viewer that will play the MTS files is "Movist" http://mac.softpedia.com/progClean/Movist-Clean-30183.html.

Hi Dick,

Actually, I find the workflow with MTS easier with the changes.

When I connect my camcorder, I make an archive of the footage, either by camcoder hard drive or my SD card.

Then when I'm ready to edit, I open the archive and FCX is ready to roll.

I can preview clips and start editing while FCX is importing. It actually works slick.

Here are a few videos hilighting :

http://www.izzyvideo.com/final-cut-pro-x-tutorial/23-importing-from-a-video-came ra-in-final-cut-pro-x/

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRGOQghEV-4

the first one is particularly good.

I use this workflow and it's incredibly easy (with an all import backup prior to editing).

Hope that helps

Keebler

Alternatively:

Don''t alter the camera's card; import into FCP should be uneventful.

If card is altered, purchase Clipwrap ($49) to wrap the mts files for import to FCP.

If a free solution for mts files is needed, use MPEG Streamclip with Panasonic AVCCAM Importer plug-in to convert to QT files.

Russ

I had access to my friend's iMac (mid '07 model, on 10.7.5) this morning which has FCP 10.0.6 on it.

Tried out ClipWrap 2.6.1 and a sample MTS file. Loaded the rewrapped MTS into FCP and it doesn't give any errors, green screening, pinwheel of death, or sluggist performance!

It's looking like ClipWrap is king rewrap app for .MTS video files!

If you save the entire folder structure, you can import directly into FCP without ClipWrap. You could always do that from the first version of the application. The advantage of direct import to FCP from the folder structure is that with QuickTime rewrapping the MPEG, the files works much more efficiently in FCP and are much more robust when the media is processed. I would not use the original .mts files, unless I absoluetly had to. You would of course also want a back up archive of the original media, which is best done with the whole folder structure and all the metadata the camera provides.

I am able to import .MTS files directly into FCPX 10.1.1 without using ClipWrap at all. FCPX then transcodes the files as it would any others. The resulting video shows no discernible loss in audio or video quality. So I don't really understand your comment at all.

Steven,

I've used it only in demo mode hoping the FCPX would handle 1080p60 import but it didn't happen, so I might reconcider.

ClipWrap can re-wrap the .MTS files into one and/or transcode them into Apple ProRes codec(s) specifically for professional use. And it does support 1080p60.

.

-Mike

I don't have FCX yet, but I have the Panny tm900 so i'm a disappointed to hear it won't take 1080P60 wow.

But I use clipwrap. I convert them to prores and import. Huge files of course being HD, but FCP7 takes them without issue. works well.

As for clipwrap itself, follow their twitter account. They have discount codes listed quite often. That's how I got mine.

I have a 2009 quad 2.66 with 8 GB ram and it can a long time to convert an hour's worth of mts files to prores. I'm looking to get a new mac pro in the fall maybe, but I was hoping for a native import type of solution.

doh!

cheers,

keebler

I've been importing from my Canon HF100, which is MTS, AVCHD 1080i60. It's not on the list of supported cameras, but it works fine... most of the time. I have one card with a lot of footage on it, and Final Cut Pro X crashes when it tries to import from this card.

I've been able to import from cards with less footage on them.

I have same issue... have a Panny 700. I shoot in 1080p 60fps. Can't import in any of the suggested methods... direct connect (camera doesn't show up on list); archive; or file based. It doesn't matter if I try and import from any of the directories, or specific MTS files... they are greyed out. very dissapointing.

I used Aunsoft to convert to prores first, then it was fine. But that's a lot of extra hassle considering the FCP spec sheet says it supports Panny AVCHD. Bottom line, I don't believe it does.

The rewrap features in Aunsoft or the other home grown ulility that lots of people use with iMovie to rewrap don't work either. Once you rewrap an MTS FCP sees a green frame at least once per second (probably every 60th frame if I bothered to figure that out).

This looks like a bug to me.

After trying all kinds of rewrap programs I conclude, that Panasonic AVCHD 1080p60 H.264 footage cannot be processed correctly with QuickTime X - based editing software (read FCPX) and reliably with the QT7-based software (FCP 7). FCPX shows green frames every second or so, FCP 7 is sluggish and drops frames. Playback with both QT is OK (don't forget to remove Perian). The solution is obviously to transcode to ProRes or any other native Apple codec, but in this case the beauty of the reduced size of H.264 is gone and the quality of the transcode is unknown.

I've had the same green flickering from Clipwrap rewrap with 1080/60p footage. Only ProRes works fine in FCPX at this resolution. And BTW multichannel audio was screwed up too. (Clipwrap has a solution for converting multichannel to stereo, just ask.) My informal tests show that

• For native h.264 editing FCPX needs keyframes put at least at each second, otherwise it cannot find/construct the frame (green screen)
• QuickTime X engine (the one used by FCPX) at 1080/60p often cannot draw/misses a frame and shows the previous one instead which leads to jerkiness.

Overall like I said, it looks like the native h.264 support is limited by Level 4.1. I haven't had a single problem with 1080/60i (Level 4.1) and 720/24p (Level 3.2) footage for example.

Even though you have the footage in its structure as it was in the camera, still FCP did not accept some 1080P AVCHD videos. Why? In fact, FCP X does not ingest AVCHD 1920×1080 50/60P AVCHD MTS recordings. It can only ingest 1080 50/60i or 1080 25/30P and everything below that.

It is a bit rediculous. If you want to skip tryin gto import directly, ClipWrap is pretty much the most widely suggested option. When I use the SD card, it shows up as Camera, not Camera Archive. You may need to have teh camera reformat the card. Additionally, I have found you should absolutely NOT mix 1080/60p and AVCHD (non-60p) clips on the same card. FCPX will only see one and not the other. I really do hope that Apple gets a more robust import feature going.