Using Sony HD cameras with iMovie

Question

Level 2

236 points

Using Sony HD cameras with iMovie

So any longtime iMovie users able to give me a synopsis on the best workflow for using Sony HD camcorders with iMovie?

I have a large set of Sony HD captured movies in .m2ts format that were pulled off my camcorder with Sony's PMB software (Windows). These files play fine on the PC and on the Mac using VLC player, but for the life of me they don't work in iMovie (unsupported file format even though these are AVCHD HD movie files).

If I have files still on the Sony Camcorder HDR-SR11 ( I can use iMovie's File, Import from Camera and use iMovie "Archive All" button at the bottom of the import dialog box it converts these native .m2ts files to Home/Movies/iMovie Camera Archives as .MTS files (I;'m guessing that this is the same as .m2ts since it happened as quickly as copying the files off the USB connected camcorder to the hard drive and didn't appear to be transcoding the MPEG4 video). These apears to archive my footage, but it doesn't make a filetype that iMovie is happy importing (not sure what the point of archiving it in iMovies archives is if you can't use it other than it didn't destroy your original HD movies).

If I use the import dialog box and use the "import all" it actually converts the files to QuickTime .MOV files that will import into iMovie '11 as a new event. Home/Movies/iMovie Events. These files appear to have lost their AVCHD format and use Apple's Intermediate Codec with no audio compression (linear PCM). I'm guessing I'm losing my Dolby surround audio format and compression. Video quality appears to be fine (1920x1080), but I was surprised iMovie didn't want the files in native H.264 format, or at least the iPhones 720p MPEG4 variant.

In trying to figure out how to convert the .m2ts archive HD videos I have I didn't want to transfer the footage back to the camcorder just to re-import into iMovie. I saw some posts on how to put the files on an external hard drive or CD disc image and fool iMovie into letting you use the import from camera dialog, but it seems short sighted that iMovie couldn't invoke the ability to import files from the hard drive and transcode it like it does when bringing it from the camcorder.

Is there some hidden preference or keyboard modifier to get iMovie to import .m2ts files? Is this the reason why Apple had to rewrite Final Cut Pro? I did try Premiere Pro and it supports .m2ts files natively. I'm guessing Premiere Elements may do the same, but I'm interested in an iMovie solution if folks have a workflow that they can share.

I did try exporting the clips from Premiere Pro and Miro Video Converter but I don't think I got the settings right for iMovie since it didn't like the various exported MPEG4 or MPEG2 movies I was making.

Hoping someone can save us Sony Camcorder users some headaches by illustrating the most effecient workflow...

thanks,

Stephen

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Sep 7, 2011 11:42 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

elikness

Level 4

2,640 points

Sep 7, 2011 11:53 AM in response to sinoue

Once the .m2ts files have been moved off the camera, they don't have any of the accompanying folders and files that define the AVCHD format. Your only real option is to buy a program like ClickWrap:

http://www.divergentmedia.com/support

ClickWrap will re-wrap your MTS files so that they are proper AVCHD files that iMovie is more likely to recognize as compared to your now naked, unwrapped .m2ts files. Doing an Archive All from the camera as soon as you can get your camera hooked up to the Mac is the preferred workflow. And will prevent you from having to re-wrap your .m2ts files in the future.

Reply

Answer 2

sinoue Author

Level 2

236 points

Sep 7, 2011 10:53 PM in response to elikness

Thanks. Just started converting my .m2ts files with SkySoft but not happy with the HD quality after transcoding so I'll check out ClickWrap. Seems crazy Apple doesn't support .m2ts native like other programs and converters, but going forward I'll use Archive All to keep things simple. Thanks for the helpful info and quick response!

Reply

Answer 3

elikness

Level 4

2,640 points

Sep 8, 2011 7:34 AM in response to sinoue

Yeah, I understand. iMovie is pretty particular how it handles the AVCHD format. I think Final Cut Pro X is a little more lenient. But definitely both prefer to have the original files/folders as they existed on the Memory card after being captured if at all possible. Good Luck.

Reply

Answer 4

Sep 28, 2011 10:48 PM in response to sinoue

HOW TO IMPORT MTS FILES INTO IMOVIE USING DISK IMAGE

1. Create the disk image using the disk utility, you are making a drive for you to place files on so make it large enough to hold all your files from your SD card.

2. When you create the disk image it is already mounted, which to me means visible under DEVICES.

3. In your Finder, look to the left under DEVICES, your new Disk Image should be there, copy all your files and folders to the new Disk Image

4. Open imovie, go File, Import, Camera Archive

5. Adjust your settings and hit import all

Reply

Answer 5

durdosv

Level 1

0 points

Feb 28, 2013 12:29 PM in response to sinoue

There is no need for buying extra software or do any workarounds with disk images.

I tried out a rather hidden feature of iMovie '11 (9.0.8). Use drag and drop from Finder on selected *.m2ts files to iMovie event item that you have prepared before in Event library window and the "Import from camera" dialog box should open after some confirmation question dialog. A new "virtual" camera with name of the folder which contained selected files should be present in Camera selection combo box. The selected *.m2ts files should be in proper AVCHD folder structure. Use any standard options for import but basically the "Import All" button should make it. Then the content of *.m2ts is converted to *.mov, is stored to iMovie Events folder and will be ready for futher use in iMovie.

Reply

Answer 6

Mar 6, 2013 9:20 PM in response to durdosv

durdosv, I followed your directions and they did not work for me. When I dragged the .mts files to iMovie, I recived the following error message:

"The file will not be imported.
It is not compatible with iMovie"

=(

Reply