Mts files into Imovie

In the future, you can remove the SDHC card from the camera and put it in a USB card reader. Then use iMovie to FILE/IMPORT FROM CAMERA. Actually, iMovie should automatically detect the card and bring up the import screen. iMovie needs the whole card to import, not just the .mts files. While you can import directly from the card, I prefer to first make an archive copy of the card, so I can erase the card and shoot some more. On the iMovie import screen, if you scroll down, you should see an option to "Create Camera Archive.". This will make an exact copy of all the files and folders on your card, so you always have what was on your camera.

However, you still have the problem of doing something with the .mts files that you currently have. If you used the Finder to make a copy of the entire SD card, you may get lucky. In iMovie, you can click FILE/IMPORT FROM CAMERA ARCHIVE and navigate to the Folder that contains the camera files and folders.

If however, you extracted the .mts files, and have nothing else, you will need a third party app.

There are two that I can recommend. I have not used them myself, but I have heard enough positive feedback from others in these discussions that they seem to be safe. Pick one. You don't need both.

1) ClipWrap http://www.divergentmedia.com/clipwrap

2) Voltaic HD http://www.shedworx.com/voltaichd

Use FILE/IMPORT/FROM CAMERA with AVCHD, not FILE/IMPORT/ MOVIE.

If this is a camera archive, use FILE/IMPORT/CAMERA ARCHIVE and navigate to the folder containing the archive, (not the individual mts files.)

Did you try Tim's suggestion? It worked for me.

Although I'm not sure if you can now copy the files back from your MBP to the Sony camera.

tluns23

Re: Mts files into Imovie

Dec 5, 2012 9:21 AM (in response to MistyStreet)

You may have already resolved this issue, but I found out some great information today from Sony directly. I was having the same problem, and I was convinced iMovie (i'm using iMovie 09) couldn't import MTS files. I was wrong iMovie does it very easily. The problem iMovie has is when you connect your camera, most people click the "video camera" icon so they can see the videos on their camera they wish to import. What I found is that if you haven't cleared off your video camera in some time, and have over 10 gigs of video on the camera, iMovie has a real hard time, because it has to search the camera and bring up the clips in that lower window pane and often times it will basically time-out, and if you click that camera again the iSight camera launches.

What I did was go thru the clips on my video camera that I could delete (actually watched them on the camera itself), this can be time consuming. But, once I cleared down the content on my camera under 10 gigs, iMovie saw the information quickly. Here's another thing I did, that also may help...instead of clicking on that little camcorder icon, use FILE, Import from Camera at the top menu bar instead. When I did this, it started looking for my attached video camera. From now on I will clear off my video camera more frequently so that iMovie doesn't bog down looking for possible imporatable videos on the camera. Recommendation from Sony was keep it under 10 gigs.

Hope this helps.

Tim

P.S. There is no truth to the idea that iMovie does not import MTS files. My Sony HD Handycam takes all MTS files and iMovie has no problem with them at all.

You should be able to attach your camera to your Mac with a USB cable. Make sure the camera is plugged in (not batteries only). Set camera to play mode. In iMovie click FILE/IMPORT FROM CAMERA.

If that does not work, tell us what camera you have.

If your camera records to an SDHC card, you can put the card in a USB card reader and FILE/IMPORT FROM CAMERA.

You may have already resolved this issue, but I found out some great information today from Sony directly. I was having the same problem, and I was convinced iMovie (i'm using iMovie 09) couldn't import MTS files. I was wrong iMovie does it very easily. The problem iMovie has is when you connect your camera, most people click the "video camera" icon so they can see the videos on their camera they wish to import. What I found is that if you haven't cleared off your video camera in some time, and have over 10 gigs of video on the camera, iMovie has a real hard time, because it has to search the camera and bring up the clips in that lower window pane and often times it will basically time-out, and if you click that camera again the iSight camera launches.

What I did was go thru the clips on my video camera that I could delete (actually watched them on the camera itself), this can be time consuming. But, once I cleared down the content on my camera under 10 gigs, iMovie saw the information quickly. Here's another thing I did, that also may help...instead of clicking on that little camcorder icon, use FILE, Import from Camera at the top menu bar instead. When I did this, it started looking for my attached video camera. From now on I will clear off my video camera more frequently so that iMovie doesn't bog down looking for possible imporatable videos on the camera. Recommendation from Sony was keep it under 10 gigs.

Hope this helps.

Tim

P.S. There is no truth to the idea that iMovie does not import MTS files. My Sony HD Handycam takes all MTS files and iMovie has no problem with them at all.

Just to make sure, this is what works for me:

• Start iMovie
• Except physically connecting the camera to USB, also connect it via a "Connect to USB" command on the camera
• When connected, iPhoto will startup as well. Just ignore
• iMovie will (after some time) show an import screen, giving you the option to archive all video content from your camera and/or import clips (selectively). If it doesn't choos "Import from camera..." under the File menu option

If the import screen is not shown or your camera is not found, chances are iMovie does not see your camera. This could be because you did not logically connect it on the camera itself. If you turn on your camera and then physically connect it to USB, do you see a pop-up on you camera screen ? Is there a menu option to activate a USB connection?

Hope this helps

One thing I found that worked when I was sent an MTS file from a friend was to use Handbrake (handbrake.fr) to convert it to a mov. Then used import in IMovie and it worked like a charm.

mfleig wrote:

I think the question we and many others are asking at this point is, when will iMovie support the native .mts file format. It is pretty much standard now for all new camcorders, and if iMovie will not allow us to import the files from our hardrive, then iMovie does not do us much good. It's not uncommon to copy the files off during a trip with the hope of editing them later... so just importing from the camera everytime is a poor requirement.

Does anyone have any ideas when iMovie will truly support this common file format?

iMovie has the option to archive all clips from your SD Card onto your harddrive. Just choose the option "Archive all" after connecting your camera to the USB port. You can then delete the clips from the SD Card. After archiving you can import clips from the archive using the "Import Camera Archive" option.

With cameras such as the Sony HDR-CX250 you have to record in 50i. If you have already made recordings in 50p, save the recordings to harddisk, and reformat the card in the camera. iMovie won't recognize the camera if there are 50p recordings on it - I don't know why. Once the SD-card is reformatted and the camera is configured to use 50i for recording, iMovie finds and imports the files in the usual way.

Hi All,...

Good news to everybody, ...

I've just downloaded the latest Apple's (OSX Mavrics), with that comes the latest version of iMovie (not sure if it comes with Lion too), but the good news is that it does have native support for MTS vidoe (i.e. AVCHD media).

After upgrade, I copied one of my MTS's that didn't work before, and now just used it, it really rocks !.

I hope this helps...

Regards

Heider Sati

On the same iMovie screen where you can archive your MTS files from camera to disk, you will also see an import option. You can either import all or select clips to import. When you connect your camera when iMovie is active, the import screen should appear automatically.

Yes the files couldn't be copied back into the internal memory. I tried to copy to an SD-card though, but it won't be detected --as I guess those files need to be placed into some specifics folders (with some specific extra-properties that might have been deleted when I deleted the files in the handycam)

BUT ANYWAY, I tried to download HandBrake AND IT WORKED OUT! I am ready to edit all the videos with mp4 format in iMovie 🙂

Thanks!!

You need to develop a work flow that you like. My canon HD camcorder has the option to record mp4 format video that quicktime can directly work with. But when I do record in AVCHD I use some software called "clicpwrap" that can rewrap the video without transcoding. there is no quality loss. http://www.divergentmedia.com/clipwrap
You can also use "handbrake" but I'm pretty sue handbook will transcode the video. Clipwrape is as fast as a "copy" and I use it rathe than drag an drop to get video off the SD card.

You do have to decide at which point you do the archive. Some people do a rough edit just to cull out the total junk that is out of focus and whatever. I like to archive the video at this point, avetr it is converted to something quicktime can use.

Next I import it to FCP X. This can have the 5x effect you describe but those prores files are the best format for editing. the import/transcode process goes very slow. In FCP X I can turn that off and edit with the original .MOV files if I like. I FCP X I can at any time trash the large prores files. Does iMovie allow this?

OK so then I have an edited vedio based on the ProRes files. The next step is to export it to some usable format for my Apple TV or iPod.

After the video is exported there is no need to keep the large ProRes files around unless I think I might re-edit. Periodically I clear out those large files.

Backup is an issue. Time Machine picks up the .mov files from the camera but I also use other redundant backups and always have at leas one off site backup.

I don't have your camera, but here is advice from Canon.

In addition, some other things to try.

1) Is your Canon plugged in to wall power? Will not import from USB power or battery power alone.

2) Have you tried copying from hard drive to a SDHC card (using your camera's menu? Then you can import through a USB card reader.

3) With your camera attached, open the Image Capture utility. Set the default app to either iMovie or nothing.

4) Can you see the contents of your camera in the Finder? If so, you could try creating a Disk Image of the camera, using Disk Utility. Then try importing from the Disk Image.

5) Follow the instructions in your manual for the how to set the controls of your camera while importing. It is usually "Play", but sometimes you may have to select a choice on the menu.

Hi, as far as I know, iMovie surpports to import MTS files from camera via usb, but the new AVCHD 2.0 1080 60p MTS format is incompatible for iMovie. You have to use a MTS Converter to make full HD 60p MTS footages editble for iMovie before ingesting on Mac.

In addition, I heard the FCP X 10.0.4 or above can surpport the 60p AVCHD by using Log and Transfer sometimes.