Is it better to convert Sony AVCHD .mts clips to another format ideal for FCPX?

Question

Level 1

48 points

Is it better to convert Sony AVCHD .mts clips to another format ideal for FCPX?

I'm working my footage from my SONY HXR-NX5U, AVCHD/.mts files directly imported in to FCPX 10.0.3.

My system is as follows: i7 3.4 Quad 16GB RAM internal 1TB7200.

My clips are either in 60i and most reently in 24p, both 1080.

My question is simple: Would it be better to convert everything, before ingestion, to some format that is more native to FCPX or that FCPX can "fly" with, while not sacraficing quality.

I then export to both internet HD quality and DVD...

Thanks in advance.

Final Cut Pro X, Mac OS X (10.7.3), FCPX 10.0.3, iMac i7 3.4, 16GB/2GB

Posted on Feb 21, 2012 9:50 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 21, 2012 10:14 AM in response to bill33

Apple recommends that you optimise AVCHD to ProRes 422 for both quality of results and speed of processing.

If you are not doing anything too complex you can get away with AVCHD but the only way to find out what is best for your modus operandi is to test both methods using near identical projects.

Reply

Answer 2

bill33 Author

Level 1

48 points

Feb 22, 2012 4:35 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

Ian,

Do you mean optimize on import within FCPX or some 3rd party software before I ingest to FCPX?

Reply

Answer 3

Feb 23, 2012 12:07 AM in response to bill33

I don't know whether it matters.

If you are importing directly from your camera/card it would make sense to let FCP X do it.

Reply

Answer 4

Feb 23, 2012 2:14 AM in response to bill33

Keep in mind that you can always optimize even after you imported your media. Just select your media, ctrl-click and select Transcode... at any time.

Also, if you need more speed, you can edit using proxy media, which is supposedly much faster. Just remember to switch to optimized or original before the final export.

Reply