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,again.
To sum it up:
When working with AVCHD you have two options.
1. You can import directly from the SD Card — go to import from camera for that.
2. You can copy the full — with all folders, exactly everything that is on the card — contents of the SD card to a folder on your hard drive an archive it that way. If you want to import an archived SD card later on you can go to import from camera and then go for the open archive button, then point to the folder where you keep the back up of that specific card.
It is not possible to import .mts files on their own.
AVCHD on Final Cut needs camera data that is included in the other folders of the SD card.
That's why it's called "Import from camera", even if you only insert the card directly.
If you only backed up the .mts files and that's all you have you will have to convert them outside of Final Cut beforehand. I recommend to make the best of the situation and just download the free tool called "Handbrake".
With Handbrake simply convert the .mts files to mp4 with the same bitrate. You won't lose that much quality. It's really no big deal.
So, if your camera records with AVCHD 17 Mbit for example, convert to mp4 with 17 Mbits. And then import to Final Cut.
In the future be more careful of what you do: read the documentation before you delete something and try to keep a full backup of your cards. I always have a card backup in the project folder, because AVCHD doesn't need that much space anyway.
Hope that helps.
Multiple cameras, Sonys and Panasonics, XA1 and others. I tested this quite a bit. Never with anything near this length however. Have you contacted ClipWrap? They're very helpful.
I'll bet it works fine without conversion on Premiere Pro CS5.5
Upload a sample video to drop box, post the link, and I'll check it out for you.
- N
Worked great with my Cannon HFS200!
Does VLC open it? Can MediaInfo find out exactly what it is?
The best way I think is to import the media into FCP copying it to an external location. Then the files are available to Motion.
Sure, J, stuart.c.hancock@mac.com
I noticed the feature list mentions "Create Camera Archives from any folder of media for importing into Final Cut Pro." Out of curiosity, would anyone be able to check if this applies to .mts files? I have about 60 gigs of .mts I saved straight to a hard drive because I was stuck on a slow iBook while on a trip a year ago and making camera archives was out of the question. Otherwise it looks like I'll just be waiting for Panasonic's tool.
I can't because I don't have it. It is an editing project with footage from multiple cameras and I'm given only SD cards. Again the cards from Canon HD200 are fine, I can import from them, but they are 1080i60.
Importing 50 fps from the Sony HDR-CX360 doesn't work either, the clips don't show up on the list when importing from the camera or from an archive (the 25 fps clips do). iMovie shows the clips, but won't import them.
I can live with the requirement that I have to stream from the card or camera, but I hope they fix the issue I mention above, where FCPX crashes when there are too many files on the card, or they're too big.
I have ClipWrap already. Tried converting the raw MTS file with it (assuming that's what you're asking me to try), but no go. Apparently ClipWrap isn't compatible with your camera...? If I rewrap the file, I get a file with audio but no video, and if I try transcoding to ProRes or AIC, I get a file with nothing in it.
The trial of clipwrap doesn't give me the option to convert to ProRes...I'm guessing that's because I don't have Final Cut Pro X installed - right?
Is it a truly lossless conversion? What about just wrapping it, but not converting? Their own media says it's a bad idea.
I tried clipwrap to take the 1080/60p to AIC but it didn't work...it produced a 4kb file that had nothing in it.
Regarding why shoot in 1080/60p - 720p isn't an option on the camera for one. Yes, to a degree it is limited by a lens, but more importantly because it's there.
nfoo wrote:
I don't get why you want to film in 1080p anyway. Your camera's lens limits the resolution, anyway.
I bet there's no big difference between 720p and 1080p.
Maybe stick to 720p? Practicly same quality / resolution. Less space. No hassle in conversion.
You are missing the point. The difference between 720p and 1080p is irrelevant here. Suppose that you need to make a concert video shot with multiple cams? Suppose that you've never seen the cameras and will never see them ever. All you have is a bunch of SD cards. It was not your decision at what resolution and frame rate the video was shot, you have to deliver the end product no matter what. So you need import and multicam feature at minimum. FCPX does not deliver it, period. And don't get me started about the "V1.0" thing. Big Apple said, Version 10, and so be it.
no if i remember correctly, that's the way their trial works. I didn't have fcx and it converted once i paid. Just can't remember if it converted to prores before or not... doh!
I believe it's lossless - I know one thing, the file sizes are massive and the quality is amazing so it's gotta be.
cool... i might try that to see the difference in quality b/n clipwrap and media converter. the only concern i have is how long it would take for an hour of footage considering you're uploading, if I understand it correctly.
Yes, FCPX is designed for someone like you for sure. I'm in the same boat - 1 man operation so it's perfect.
if you were sharing editing between editors on the same project, not for you.
good luck!,
Keebler
Import of AVCHD .MTS files
