Convert AVCHD to edit in Imovie HD

Hi all. I must be putting search text in wrong because I'm sure this question is here. Or maybe not.
I just bought a Sony HD HDD camcorder which uses AVCHD. Now I know that imovie 8 can use AVCHD however as we all know, imovie 8 is very lacking in actual editing. I also know I can purchase final cut and edit AVCHD, however I can't dish out that amount of money right now, nor do I feel I really need to with what I want to do with my movies right now. So I want to know:
1. Can I convert my HD AVCHD format movie into another format which will work in Imovie HD and how do I do that?
2. Will this also be HD?
3. If this is HD, when I burn to DVD, will it play in HD on a regular DVD player? Only on a B-Ray player? Not HD at all?
I am probably the noobest person right now on this stuff but I wanted a HD camcorder because I do a lot of traveling to exotic places and we just had our first baby girl a year ago and want to do some video of her for our family. I knew that the there would be some problem with the format, at least at first, but I don't mind trouble.
Thanks for any help.
CKtreks

http://mac1080hd.com/
Try it on a very short file and see if you get good results.

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VLC.
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html

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I am new to Macs as a whole, and have only owned my MacBook Pro for a month, now. I am skilled in iMovie '06, however, as it was a program I used at school for three years. I made some videos for my media class using iMovie '06 that I then exported to iDVD and burned. The original videos/files are at school. All I have are the DVDs. I'd like to put these videos online. I know how to use HandBrake to rip the video file off the DVD. For videos ten minutes or less, I've been able to use the .m4v file to upload to YouTube. However, I have three videos that clock in around 17 minutes, which YouTube rejects. All I want to do is open the files in iMovie and cut them in half. I know where I want to cut, and I don't want to do any editing of any kind.
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Thanks!

an m4v file can be renamed to mov!!
First try that.. if you can play it your done. if you can not download perian.
If perian can't.. then you can buy quicktime pro.
I own quicktime pro and bough perian to support the video that quicktime pro didn't. When I convert avchd video from my camcorder on my G5 to something editable in imovie I use ffmpeg and also handbrake. handbrake created m4v files.
All I do is rename them and Imovie can read them in.

Convert AVCHD to iMovie, 10 times larger

hi, my iMac was bought 1 year ago. Recently I got a Sony HD camcorder came with a 16GB memory stick pro. I plug the camcorder to iMac and converted the video clips to iMovie with no issue. However, when i opened the Finder and surprisingly found that the clips which exists as quick time movie files are more than 123GB! Have i done anything wrong?

but from 16GB to 123GB is a bit too much, isn't it? Also when i read from iMovie's help menu, it says that it needs 40GB to record 1 hr HD movie.
Not really. Depending on the numbers used, an HD file typically contains 6.5 to 9 times as much information as an SD version of the same video. As Appleman stated, AVCHD is highly compressed, typically having a data rate in the 100-120 Mbps range but wrapped in an MPEG container so as to reduced the required bandwidth to a measure comparable to that of SD files much less highly compressed.
If there anyway that i can reduced the size? ie, only copy the files from camcorder directly instead of importing them from iMovie Would that help?
Sure, you could copy the files to your hard drive or even use "Archive" option to move the files to you hard drive. This would take up much less space on your hard drive. But in the latter case the files could not be edited until you imported them into iMovie '09 which would, of course, turn them into AIC/AIFF files the same as if you had directly imported them into the application. In the former case, the files would not editable in iMovie '09 unless or until you manually convert them to an "edit" compatible compression format. But in this case you have the option of choosing what compression format and settings to use. You could, for instance, turn them into Motion JPEG or Photo-JPEG files for editing which would produce files smaller than AIC files. (SD files would be roughly half the size of AIC versions but I have never run any tests on HD files to see what king of ratio or quality you might end up with.) On the other hand, if you use a codec like H.264/AAC which allows you to set the target data rate limit, setting it low will make very small files of poor quality, moderate files of fair quality, or larger files of reasonable quality -- but the choice is entirely yours. Basically, the lower the data rate, the smaller the file and the poorer the quality. If you are importing at "full" resolution, then switching to 960x540 would also greatly reduce your editing files. Once again, the choice is yours. You must determine if file dimensions/resolution, file quality, or file storage space is most important to your work flow.

Just bought a new Canon Vixia HF R300. It looks like I have basically two recording modes--either AVCHD or MP4. I have a year old Mac Mini on Lion with increased ram. I edit on iMovie and upload to You Tube. Which recording mode would be best?

Hi...
I just bought a Canon Vixia HF R300 camcorder. It looks like it gives me a choice of two recording modes AVCHD or MP4. I will be uploading onto a year old Mac Mini with the Lion Operating system and increased ram. I will be editing in iMovie '11 then uploading to You Tube. Which recording mode should I use? Obviously I'd like to get the best quality but I also want it to show well on You Tube. What do you think? Thanks for the help. Bill

Hi
What program can you use to convert AVCHD to a DVD format?
Share to File (in iMovie) - AND AS 480p - NOT Higher as DownScaling will be done badly.
Use this file in iDVD or Roxio Toast™ or what DVD Authoring program You've got.
To make a VIDEO-DVD You must use a DVD Authoring program - to get the right compression format AND Structure - It is a MUST.
There are free alternatives - but resulting DVD hasve been far from what quality iDVD (and Toast™) will deliver.
To get best possibly DVD - also this counts.
- DVD brand used - I only Verbatim
- DVD type used - I only DVD-R Single layer (4.7Gb)
(DVD+R works for many and DVD-R/W usually don't work OK and Double Layer also are a problem to it self)
- BURN SPEED - I set this as low possibly (usually x2)
- Free Space on Start-Up Hard Disk - MATTERS - I never go less than 25Gb
Good Luck
Yours Bengt W

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I've managed to download the mini dvd from the video camera onto a USB and have save onto my Desktop.
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http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/getstarted/default.mspx
and http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx
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Edit Vob http://premierepro.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ:How_do_I_import_VOB_files_/_edit_a_DVD%3F
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$99 http://www.womble.com/products/mvw.html
$80 http://www.nchsoftware.com/prism/index.html
$75 http://www.videoredo.com/en/index.htm
$75 http://www.magix.com/us/movie-edit-pro/
$70 http://www.nchsoftware.com/prism/index.html Converter
$40 http://www.daniusoft.com/dvd-ripper.html#135
$40 http://www.deskshare.com/dmc.aspx Digital Media Converter
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I am attempting to convert 8mm video cassettes to dvd using a video cassette player, elgato video capture with rca/usb connections to the mac then editing in imovie and burning dvd-r using idvd. The picture quality is awful. What can I do??????

At what point is the video quality bad? Is it bad on capture? I would recommend using an s-video 1394 firewire converter instead. They capture the video at a higher bit rate. If you have a lot of 8mm tapes to capture, invest in a stand alone DVD recorder. They capture and compress in one shot. If you need to rip it back from the DVD into iMovie again, I would recommend using DVDxDV.

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Hi Mark
Was just looking for the answer to this exact question and I just found something that worked for me so don't know if it might be of use to you or you might have already solved your problem! Basically when I was in iMovie and I clicked to import movies from the computer into iMovie and I found the clip I wanted to import, there are a few options. I think it asked which Event I wanted to add it to but most importantly it asked me what file size I wanted...I had originally been clicking Large because it advised me to because it reduces the file size...but just on a chance there I selected 'Full - Original' for size and it imported perfectly into iMovie in it's original vertical form!
Hope this helps!
Bianca

I recently purchased QuickTime 7 Pro to convert avi files to mov files for editing on Imovie. However, QuickTime won't play the files. How can I get them to play and how can I convert them to mov files?

I recently purchased QuickTime 7 Pro to convert avi files to mov files for editing on Imovie. However, QuickTime won't play the files. How can I get them to play and how can I convert them to mov files?

I recently purchased QuickTime 7 Pro to convert avi files to mov files for editing on Imovie. However, QuickTime won't play the files. How can I get them to play and how can I convert them to mov files?
Both the AVI and the MOV file extensions refer to the file container and not the compressed data the file contains. Both are generic file containers in that each may contain any valid combination of audio and/or video data that is compatible with the codec component configuration of the system on which the file was created. On the other hand, whether a file is playback compatible, conversion compatible, and/or edit compatible depends on the data actually contained in the file container. So, you are basically dealing with two separate issues here—the container and what is inside it.
Basically, if you want to make your files ediit compatible with iMovie, you must change your file container to one that is acceptable to iMovie and convert the data to edit compatible audio and/or video compression formats as may be necessary. The best approach is to determine what codecs were actually used to create the original AVI files and add them to your system if possible. In most cases a codec package like Perian can be added to your system's codec component configuration to may the AVI file playable. Once they are playable, in the QT 7 app then they can be chnged or converted to file types and compression formats that can be edited in iMovie. (While Perian handles most codecs commonly used to create AVI files, it does not handle all possibilities and, while the Perian codec package still works under cureent Mac OS versions, its development group has decided to drop further development/support of the package.)
Background: AVI is a file container originally developed by Microsoft back in 1992 but for which official support was discontinued about 11 years. Despite its limitations, Windows users still tend to use this file based on its open source ease of use and generic nature, thus, making its use so popular that most users are unwilling to switch to more modern but less generic file types. Since some AVI legacy compression formats have never been transcoded for the Mac or use beyond OS 9 or OS X PPC platforms, it is often important to know what specific compression formats are contained in the AVI file to know which codecs to add to your system and which not to add in order to avoid possible codec conflicts.
You can use many different converters to convert AVI files to iMovie edit compatible files. Most third-party apps contain their own buit-in codecs which do not relay on the Mac codec component configuration. Free ones, like HandBrake, usually have limited conversion capabilities while those that have more varied outputs are usually commercial in nature and will cost you additional cash. QT 7 Pro or the free MPEG Streamclip app allow you to access you own system's component configuration and use any available codec component like DV, AIC, MPEG-4, H.264, Photo JPEG, etc.—all of which are iMovie compatible for editing purposes—but only after making the AVI file QT 7 player compatible.
In order to determine what compression formats wewre used in your AVI files you can
1) Try checking the Finder "Info" window,
2) Use the "Inspector", "Media Info", or "Properties" window of any player app that will open the file, or
3) Use a general media utility app like "MediaInfo" to read the file characteristics.

Can I import/edit AVCHD (1920x1080, 60FPS) in Imovie 10.0.04?

Can I import and edit AVCHD (1920x1080, 60Fps) in Imovie version 10.0.04?

Thanks for the responce but unfortunately Precision Editor is greyed out just like all of the other editing tools. I hope Apple is working on a fix because I have some videos I'm trying to finish.

I bought a new Panasonic camcorder to edit in iMovie 10.0.3. I need to choose between the AVCHD choices and the ALL MP4/iframe choices. I don't have a clue as to which to use. I just want to burn video to DVD to have and share. Thanks for any help.

I bought a new Panasonic camcorder to edit in iMovie 10.0.3. I need to choose between the AVCHD choices and the ALL MP4/iframe choices. I don't have a clue as to which to use. I just want to burn video to DVD to have and share. Thanks for any help.

It sounds like you have assigned the primary click on the trackpad to something else, perhaps a gesture.
Use your mouse, login and then open the Trackpad preference pane and see how you have the interface configured.
Oh and you can have both the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad powered up and working at the same time. No need to keep moving batteries around.
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I am going to convert some of my old VHS tapes to a digital format that I would like to edit in iMovie. What format should I convert them to? Companies seem to offer AVI or Mpeg - which is better? Does it make a difference?
Can anyone recommend a company that does this type of work well?
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It sounds like you are suggesting that I should have them transfer the VHS analot tapes into an uncompressed version - is taht you you mean by DV?
DV is actually a digital compression format -- I believe on the order of 5:1 which, for video, is not very compressed. Basically, each frame is a standalone compressed "information picture" and can be edited as such in a video editor unlike Group of Picture (GOP) formats which open with such a frame and then use "difference" frames to store changes between successive frames until the GOP ends and a new one begins. These files (like multiplexed M2V/AC3 files used on a DVD) cannot be edited at the frame level based on the method referencing data to previous frames. On the other hand, such formats are more highly compressed (say on the order of 15-20:1) and are very suitable as formats for the delivery and distribution of content. A typical hour of DV normally requires about 13 GBs of video data space or a data rate of about 25.0-28.5 Mbps. Depending on the type of audio included, this could double and is why DV is so well suited for tape storage over a DVD at say 4.5-9.0 GBs of total storage space.
Is DV a miniDV tape or can you save the file in a DV format on a hardrive?
An external, high capacity hard drive would be an excellent medium for transfer
1) If not transferring too many or too many at any one time
2) If the service can/will provide transfers to DV
3) If the service can write the files to an HFS formatted drive (needed for iMovie '08 to read them)
Some companies offer creating AVI files. Can these be read into iMovie or will these files also have the issue of too many cycles of compression and de-compression?
AVI is a file container used to contain "interleaved" audio content -- a of spatially maintaining synchronization between the audio and video content. QT, on the other hand, is a temporal media structure which synchronizes all content (audio, video, text, chapter tracks, text tracks, "Tween" tracks, etc.) are synchronized by an external clock reference. While the AVI file container is itself still supported by QT (even though its originator, Microsoft, dropped official support a decade ago), the codecs used to compress the audio and video content may not be supported. For instance, one of the current, more popular compression combinations is DivX/MP3. DivX is a proprietary, third-party video codec and MP3 audio is only supported by certain QT-based applications. Since iMovie '08 cannot access any third-party QT components, this file would have to be converted to one of the iMovie '08 "edit" compatible compression formats -- DV, AIC, Motion-JPEG, Photo-JPEG, and/or supported MPEG-4 or H.264 profiles with supported audio compression formats. So if you have a service create an AVI file that is not audio AND video supported, you will end up having to re-compress every one of you files to a supported format. You could, of course, switch to iMovie HD and, if the AVI audio/video combination is "conversion" compatible with QT (a lower requirement than being "edit compatible), then iMovie HD would automatically convert the AVI files as part of the import process. (I.e., if your open/create an iMovie HD DV project, then the files would be converted to DV. If an MPEG-4 iMovie HD project, then MPEG4/AAC.) Either method, as you noted, requires one extra cycle of re-compression before the content even gets into the editor for editing.

Help: Convert 8mm tape to dvd and edit with imovie

Please help. I would like to convert my 8 mm tapes to dvd and edit them using imovie. I have the original camcorder that captured the video and it still works. (The camcorder is a Fisher Camcorder-8 model FVC-801 circa 1987). It says digital on the camera so I think the videos may already be in some sort of digital. I also have a new macbook and it only has usb ports not firewire. To play the video on the tv the camera came with a RF Adaptor and all i do is plug the adaptor into the camera and the yellow, red, and white cords into the tv. I have done a bunch of research and it seems that I will need some sort of converter. Can someone please tell me what kind of convert, which brand I should buy, and how the process works (ie what gets plugged into what, etc) Thank You.

If you want to edit the footage, I'd recommend to NOT put them on DVD first. That will only compress the footage heavily ... then you'll have to uncompress to convert them into a format that iMovie works with natively.
Instead, capture the footage by playing through a qualified DV device (DV camcorder, VTR or converter) and capture directly into iMovie for editing.
Once you're done with the edit, that's when you'd export for DVD for final delivery.
-DH

What software do i need to convert AVCHD mts/mts2 files to import to iMovie

What software do i need to convert AVCHD mts/mts2 files to import to iMovie

As Kirk says, if you have your camera, you can attach it directly.
Further, if you preserved the entire file structure of your camera (not just the .mts files, but also the folders on the camera), then you can import from that via FILE/IMPORT FROM CAMERA ARCHIVE.
When you import from a camera, it is recommended that you keep a camera archive so you always have the originals available.
If you have the .mts files out of context, you will need a third party app to convert. Two that I know of are ClipWrap and Voltaic HD. You should convert the files to Apple Intermediate Codec. And then use FILE/IMPORT/MOVIE.

How to convert AVCHD files on a PowerMac G5?

I have recently bought a Powermac G5 to use for editing my videos, as my Macbook 2005 is on it's last legs.
The only problem is i didn't realise how much trouble i would get myself into in terms of compatability. I need to convert AVCHD to MPEG so i can import my clips into iMovie or Final Cut.
I read in another discussion that VoltaicHD would solve this problem, and does work on PowerPC Processors, but it keeps telling me it is not supported on this architecture.
Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers, Oli

OliJenkins wrote:
I have recently bought a Powermac G5 to use for editing my videos, as my Macbook 2005 is on it's last legs.
The only problem is i didn't realise how much trouble i would get myself into in terms of compatability. I need to convert AVCHD to MPEG so i can import my clips into iMovie or Final Cut.
I read in another discussion that VoltaicHD would solve this problem, and does work on PowerPC Processors, but it keeps telling me it is not supported on this architecture.
Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers, Oli
Hopefully you did not pay much money for a Powermac G5...
At the end of the day, unless your time and effort has no value monetarily, you will watch endless while this ancient machine tries to transcode AVCHD video.
The time needed on even the slowest and least expensive of modern Macs (Mac Mini) will be amazing!
When my iMac G5 died, I replaced it with the 2011 Mac Mini and now I do ALL my transcoding on this machine; what a difference!
To answer the remainder of your question: what purpose do you need MPEG video for? Do you mean MPEG-2 for creation of DVDs?
In any event the current version of Handbrake (running on a modern Mac) will handle most anything that you need other than DVD creation.

Convert AVCHD to edit in Imovie HD

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