Import m2ts files to FCPX?

The information in the link is misleading or perhaps just wrong. It is correct that FCPX does not edit .mts files, but the media is not converted to a frame based format unless you optimize it. If you have AVCHD properly stored with its metadata in the camera folder structure or in a camera archive, the media can be imported. It is re-wrapped to QuickTime, but it still maintains the AVC format using the H.264 codec. For better performance and quality you can optimize the media to ProRes.

AVCHD is an acquisition format and wasn't really designed for editing.

That said, Premier / Premier Elements can edit it natively, apparently, but with a significant tax on your CPU and computer memory, "transcoding" virtually (for one way to think of it) as it goes. I tried PE with that in mind, and it was a bumpy ride.

It's really better, in my opinion, to get your footage into an optimized codec from the outset. The files are larger, but then half the work is already done. To put it another way, there's no free lunch. What AVCHD demands from processing and memory, ProRes (for instance) requires of storage - and storage is cheap.

Jeaux and Tom is 100% correct... you do not want to edit those files directly and if you look around your SD card there is a lot more metadata involved.

Conversion isn't always a practical option. If you're an editor and your handed a couple of SD cards than yes, sure cinvert them. However, if you handed 10 or 15 SD cards ( or their files on a hard drive) Then it isn't practical. That's why Avid invented AMA. You can edit with files like Red or AVCHD natively or convert what you need. That's the sort of choice a professional program needs to give an editor. I haven't yet looked closely enough at FCPX. Does it automatically convert AVCHD files or do you have a choice?

What isn't clear? It has to be re-wrapped; that's instantaneous while the file is being copied. You don't have a choice about that. You have the option to optimize during import to ProRes, which is a background process and does not stop you from editing in any way. You can also choose to optimize at any time later. Again a background process and does not effect what you're doing while you edit. You'll get better performance and better quality if you optimize. Get bigger drives.

Why are AVCHD files copied and re-wrapped? To where? If I already have a external drive with those files on it why would I make yet another copy of those files?

Still calling it "Optinize" really isn't what's happening is it? Seems like the terminology is part of the dumbing down. If your the user and you see that you might think "Of coure I want to optimize" not knowing that you couod end up filling your dtive.

Why are AVCHD files copied and re-wrapped?

Because they're .mts files and are complete crap for editing. Try to edit them in Premiere. It is truly awful. It's a camera manufacturer's solution with total disregard for the production process. What's so bad about rewrapping?

To where?

To your Final Cut Events folder.

If I already have a external drive with those files on it why would I make yet another copy of those files?

See 1.

Still calling it "Optinize" really isn't what's happening is it?

Seems like it to me. It's taking a truly horrible video format and making it into something useable for production in very high quality. What's not optimization about that?

I guess the users should read the manual or get a good book or training DVD.

Although there may be some trivial loss of quality converting MTS to ProRes, it’s analogous to saying you’ll lose some quality of an mp3 audio file converting it to pcm. AVCHD isn’t exactly a professional high-quality acquisition format to begin with. It was meant for folks who want to connect their camcorder to a TV set and watch clips of their birthday party with family and friends. Yes, it produces good video, but it wasn’t designed for editing, and remains problematic.

I got seduced by the siren song of “native” AVCHD editing too; it lasted for exactly one project.

I’m not sure what the point of keeping AVCHD past acquisition is. Distribution these days is 99% .mov, even for HD broadcast.

I agree that MTS files are a horror to edit with but AVCHD files aren't that difficult in my experience. Avid MC works fine wuth them,,,untranscoded.

You can import mts AVCHD files if you use the "Camera Archive" facility, either with the camera, or the camera card. If you just have the mts or m2ts files then you can't import them. You should then use the batch processing capability of ClipWrap 2 and convert them to ProRes files. If you have Sanyo Xacti full HD footage (H.264/MP4 1080 60i)), which can be read by QT10, QT 7, FCExpress and iMovie, you will find it cannot be read by FCPX. Apple recommends you use FCE to convert it to ProRes, but gives no assistance if you don't happen to have that program. Extraordinary.

There seems to be some confusion here. M2ts is a mpeg2 stream file while AVCHD is a mpeg 4 H264 file. AVCHD is found in newer cameras and DSLR's like the 7D and 5D. I agree that M2t files are difficult. Too difficult to do anything but transcode them. AVCHD works fine the way it is.

Canon DSLRs output H.264 Quicktime files.

You can use avccam restorer from here to make the folder again from single .mts, .m2ts files .

Then just import them ( without transcoding) with Import from camera in fcpx.

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/desk/e/avc_download.htm#avccamr

I use it with my old files from sony nex and a55 camera, and it works fine!

They are Quicktime.Mpeg4 H264 Quicktime not M2ts mpeg streams. That's a HDV/XDCAM workflow.

Quicktime is just a package. We use a Firestore that can record either Quicktime or M2t from a camera via firewire.

I understand that, glitchNE, but you stated that "AVCHD is found in newer cameras and DSLR's like the 7D and 5D". Canon's consumer camcorders use AVCHD, but not their DSLRs, which create .mov files (which as you correctly state are "not M2ts mpeg streams). Just saying...