On another forum, I learned that iPhoto 9.3 supported AVCHD files. This makes sense because about six months ago I'm pretty sure I used iPhoto to import several home movie files. However, with iPhoto 9.6.1 I don't seem to be able to anymore. Does anyone have any insights on this? Thanks!
I have a positive update...iPhoto version 9.6.1 does exactly what I was able to do in the past. 9.1, 9.3, and 9.4.3 were all incompatible with my AVCHD files. Tonight, out of the blue, I had a pending update for iPhoto. Having taken a breather from this project earlier this week, I had little hope of the update working. I was pleasantly surprised. Case closed!
Did you recently install an update for the Pro Video formats? I had seen two updates for video support for Sierra during the last week, perhaps because I have Final Cut Pro and Aperture installed.
I have a positive update...iPhoto version 9.6.1 does exactly what I was able to do in the past.
That is great news. Could we please compare if the iPhoto version you are now running is exactly the same as I am having? You can see the build number in the "About" panel iPhoto menu > About iPhoto. There is a built number behind the version number. I am seeing "iPhoto 9.6.1 910.42". It would be great to know, if Apple is releasing new builds of iPhoto 9.6.1.
iPhoto 9.3 supported AVCHD in a limited way, see this support document for the restrictions:
Using AVCHD video with iPhoto '11 - Apple Support
The AVCHD suoport had been introduced to iPhoto, when Aperture and iPhoto started to share the unified libraries, so iPhoto needed to be able to handle videos imported by Aperture.
It didn't. Support was only ever partial at best, as AVCHD is a very ill-defined format.
A note on AVCHD: This format was developed for people who are shooting to edit the material afterwards. If you're shooting to edit, then iMovie or Final Cut are the correct home for this material. If you're not shooting to edit consider using one of the other video formats on your Camera.
Thank you both. I'm sure it's not a perfect pairing between iPhoto and AVCHD files but at some point the import process worked for me. Along the way, whether Mavericks to Yosemite or Yosemite to El Capitan - or iPhoto to Photos - something jammed up the system. I will have to see what OS and version of iPhoto I was using the last time I did the transfers. Sometimes I can't keep up with the roll-outs anymore...
I'm actually still running El Capitan and have not updated any video formats in the past week. And now I'm scared to upgrade to Sierra now that everything works! Also, we have the same build of iPhoto (910.42).
I noticed something after I posted my triumphant response last night that I wish I saw beforehand. It was actually a pretty big revelation and I likely would have adjusted my remarks. Footage captured in 60p on my Handycam did not read in ANY version of iPhoto. Footage captured in 60i did import into both 9.4.3 and 9.6.1. So my original issue was unknowingly two-fold; finding the right compatibility between OS X and iPhoto, and setting the video capture quality to work with the software. Whew - glad to put this one to rest!
Apple have nothing to do with it, they don't make cameras that shoot AVCHD. But your camera will shoot in other formats and if you're not editing then it will be much more straightforward to use one of those.
Of course I understand that Apple didn't create AVCHD formatting but in all fairness I wouldn't be on these forums if my issue weren't somehow relevant to Apple. To be perfectly honest the process of capturing video to saving the files is pretty straightforward as it is. I capture the footage, insert the SD card, drag/import the files into iPhoto, and then save them as raw .mov files. That's really it. Down the line I can view them, edit them, delete, or whatever.
However, if there is another method that ultimately gets me raw video files that include the capture date, that would be something I would absolutely try. Especially if it involves a currently supported application. What would be even better is if it recognized 60p in addition to 60i as I alluded to earlier.
Why does this all matter to me? Because I'm trying to stay ahead of the next anticipated software shake-up to avoid issues like I had migrating everything from iPhoto to Photos. Literally Apple to Apple. By having these video files available to me in a universal manner, I don't have to worry about reorganizing them down the line. For instance, if you have a Gmail account, it doesn't matter if your ISP is Verizon or Comcast. You'll still have your email just the way you like it.
Have you tried iMovie? Or FCP X? If you are thinking about editing later then iPhoto is not the best place for AVCHD. Getting it from there to an editor is fussy, and I'm pretty sure that drag and drop is leaving metadata behind.
If you're worried about ongoing compatibility then you need to be wary of proprietary formats like AVCHD.
What issues did you have migrating to Photos? Most folks seem to find that a painless experience.
When I began migrating to Photos, similarly to my video imports, I noticed that the files gave me the import dates but NOT the original capture date. I've since found a solution working directly in Photos, whereas you import the unedited photos. I actually like this very much because it also tells you where the photo was taken right in the folder name.
In regards to iMovie, I do believe it recognizes 60i and 60p. However, you can't batch export clips to files - just one at at time. Which just doesn't seem practical. Haven't tried FCP X though. If iPhoto were given one more update to add 60p recognition, my video world would be complete!
When I began migrating to Photos, similarly to my video imports, I noticed that the files gave me the import dates but NOT the original capture date.
Part of the problem. Photo apps get dates from Exif metadata. Video doesn't have that.
I've since found a solution working directly in Photos, whereas you import the unedited photos
Not sure how you migrated to Photos but doing it the supported way doesn't involve any of this.
If iPhoto were given one more update to add 60p recognition, my video world would be complete!
I wouldn't be holding my breath on that now.
If you're not editing why shoot AVCHD?
You'd have to ask the Apple/Sony developers lol...I'm just the consumer.
When did iPhoto STOP supporting AVCHD files?
