AVCHD capture

I'm making the break to HD and was wondering if anyone had some pointers, and also if anyone has has heard about a needed fix to On Location.
AVCHD seems to be the format of the future, and with the drop in price of some nice cameras like the Canon Vixia HF S100, now seems like a good time. But as many of you probably know these new cameras don't offer firewire out for live capture, or scope analysis in On Location. They have HDMI.
After some research, I've come up with this: Use the BlackMagic Design Intensity Pro capture card ($199) to capture the HDMI out from the camera. This has the advantage of bypassing the AVCHD hardware compression and capturing the uncompressed video stream right from the sensor. According to the tech support at BlackMagic, I'm better off doing this and capturing in DVCPROHD format anyway. The problem arises when you try to use Adobe On Location to do that. BlackMagic told me that the CS4 rewrite of the code messed things up for 3rd party capture cards, and now On Location won't accept the video stream. He was hopeful that Adobe would resolve the problem and correct it for CS5. He told me that Premiere Pro, however, doesn't have this limitation with their product. I can use the scopes in Premiere Pro and capture with whatever codec I want.
This should be a better solution then using either HDV or AVCHD anyway according to him.
Do this sound like a good way to go?
Are the scopes in Premiere able to handle a live feed?
Is Adobe going to correct this problem with On Location?
Only being able to capture with firewire is going to be a problem with more and more people isn't it?
Thanks.

BIll, have you tried taking avchd files, put them in multiavchd, and see the output folder structure it makes? This is the issue. Yes, Encore can take files and my a current DVD structure. Encore can take files and make a correct BR structure. But, we need on more structure, that multiavchd can build, to make what I am told is the current avchd structure. Below is what I am told it is, and this is what I see from my folder that multiavchd built. I can then take this avchd folder, and burn it to a dvd platter lets say, and play it in some of the BR players that play avchd "discs". Or I can leave it in the cloud and grab it from various players and never have to burn media.
AVCHD should be in a proper structure:

Similar Messages

Unequal audio levels on AVCHD capture

I'm new to Final Cut Express. I have connected my Panasonic SD5 camcorder and successfully captures the AVCHD files from it in Express. The problem is whereas channel 1 is normal audio levels, ie hovering around -12db, channel 2 is clipping at 0db and above. I know the camcorder is ok because the levels are fine in Pinnacle.The SD5 is set to auto. I notice that the SD5 boasts "5:1 Surround sound" and the Express is mixing the sound to stereo, could the codec be a problem?

Has anyone got any further with this? My experience with a Panasonic SD9, which records 5.1, and FCE4.0.1, which doesn't support 5.1, is the same: left channel level is about 6dB below right channel, and very noisy with it.
I was of the understanding that, like iMovie 08, FCE would "downgrade" 5.1 to ordinary stereo. While iMovie does a perfectly good job of the conversion, FCE shanks it right royally.
Am I doing something wrong or are Apple still BSing about AVCHD support (which - silly me - I thought would imply audio as well as video)?
Andrew.

Solution to correcting strobing AVCHD captured in FCP 2 as movie file?

Hello, We were given a Sony AVCHD camera by a client to capture rushes needed for a documentary. We were only given a component cable to digitize, which we used.
Now we have quicktime rushes, which strobe on playback when there is movement. I know Voltaic won't work now as the capture was done wrong. Any solutions, as we don't have the camera anymore?
We are using the latest FCP Studio2 on G5 Dual core. We also have a few G5 quads which can't help now.
Thanks
Hiram

Hey Hiram
The problem is you clips are playing back with the wrong field order.
Unfortunately FCP doesn't have a way of simply telling a clip to play back using a different field order, but there is an easy fix. Just apply the Video Filters > Video > Shift Fields filter to the clips.
You can either add the filter to the source clips, in the viewer, before you edit, or to each instance of the clips when used in the timeline.
Hope it helps
Andy

AVCHD capture preset

Well, I finally got my AVCHD camera and I'm now trying to log and transfer for the first time. My sequence preset is exactly what it should be (ProRes 422 1920x1080 60i 48kHz). The only choice that matches up when it comes to capture preset starts off with HDV. I'm not using HDV so I figure that's a no go. If there's nothing exact am I just supposed to go with "Generic Capture Template?" Up until now I've used clips from DVD's or gone through firewire with DV. Oh yeah, and I changed the device control preset to non-controllable device. Really the only thing that puzzled me was the capture preset. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Good lord. Apparently I'm SO used to DV I just realized I don't need a capture preset because I'm not going to be using anything to capture it (log and transfer).

A different AVCHD Capture Issue - It works but cuts off the clip

I have 6.0.1 up and running fine. I have an 8:15:24 length clip I am trying to log and transfer. It t recognizes the camera and I import the clip. Even though it appears to go to the end the resulting clip is only 4:33 long. Any ideas? I went to iMovie '08 and imported the clip and it cam in in its entirety so it isn't the camera. Ideas?

I have 6.0.1 up and running fine. I have an 8:15:24 length clip I am trying to log and transfer. It t recognizes the camera and I import the clip. Even though it appears to go to the end the resulting clip is only 4:33 long. Any ideas? I went to iMovie '08 and imported the clip and it cam in in its entirety so it isn't the camera. Ideas?

PRE 7.0 Capture, Conforming & Editing Questions

I have a new Canon Vixia HFS100 (AVCHD) and have just installed Premiere Elements 7.0.   I previously used a Standard Definition mini-tape camcorder and edited the videos with either Windows Movie Maker or Cyberlink Power Director.
Capture Questions: The AVCHD media import option does not require a fire wire / nor does it provide device control. (I LIKE this feature since I purchased a camcorder with flash memory cards so that I could import the media through a card reader instead of having to hook up the camcorder.) I realize now, however that I may also want to import a small segment from a longer scene. Should the AVCHD capture feature have device control? If not, can I also use the HDV camcorder capture function instead?   Does this require any adjustments to my project settings?
Conforming Questions: After I import the .mts files, PRE 7.0 automatically goes through a process that says it is 'conforming' the files.   What does 'conforming' mean? Does this require any adjustments to my project settings?
Editing Questions: The .mts scenes cannot be played back without SEVERE stutter.   Audio is fine, but the scenes video looks like individual stills with 10-15 second delay until the next still picture. Although I plan to upgrade from my 1 GB RAM laptop to a much higher powered laptop within the next month, I am despearate to edit and publish my first set of videos since they are sales videos of horses I am trying to sell. Is there anything I can do to allow me to edit the .mts files with my current 1 GB RAM system? I would be happy to drop to a lower quality video setting just to get this batch of videos edited and produced.
Thanks in advance for your help.

1. Is there anything I can do NOW to get this first set of videos edited / produced on my current laptop?   I would be happy to import as lower quality if necessary.
There are several threads on AVCHD conversion. Unfortunately, I do not recall the conversion utilities recommended. Not shooting AVCHD, I have to admit that I am personally clueless to what programs work, and how well. Others can likely help you there.
2. What configuration wish list can you recommend for either a Dell laptop or desktop?   I will be editing ~40 horse sale videos per month and posting them to YouTube or producing DVDs to mail to prospective buyers.
I have just the ARTICLE for that "wishlist." Harm Millaard is the "Hardware Guru," on the PrPro forum. He gives a lot of great info. Now, it's pretty much geared for the "ultimate" NLE machine, but he does give the reasons, so one can "tone it down" to suit their budget and their needs.
Good luck,
Hunt
PS - if I find the threads on AVCHD conversion, I'll share those.

CHALLENGE: CAPTURE files from JVC H7 Camcorder to FCE via log and capture.

Thanks to this forum I can now capture from my JVC HD7 in real time. BUT, the utility File>Log and Transfer seems lots better. See www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/ and look at the video AVCHD capture. My JVC AVCHD does not seem to be able to log and capture. Maybe some genius can figure it out. Please help.
Thanking in advance.
Don

Attn: Tom Wolsky.
I was disappointed to hear I could not capture by Log and Capture with the JVCE Everio HD7.
May I ask, Do you know any comparable camcorder with a 60 meg HD that would.
Or what would be the best method to capture from the JVC?
I have your book on order and looking forward to it.
Thanks for ant help,
Don

Easy Set Up settings- ? any difference in result between the D-NTSC & AVCHD

I have just spent a few days starting to understand and work with FCE. My first project was to get my AVCHD materials sitting on Sony Memory sticks into my computer for later use. I finished, but realized I may have done something essentially wrong.
My objective is to get the maximum data quality into my HDD and subsequent projects. My shoot source material is AVCHD at max HD at full HD resolution 1920 x 1080.
When moving on to MY next project which was to start capturing Analog video, I was studying and I read about Easy Set Up. This 'window' never came up when I installed FEC. Now, I see that the Easy SetUp that was in play for all of my ingesting of my AVCHD material was as follows: Format - all formats, Rate - All Rates and Use -DV-NTSC
I see now there are other set ups and now need to understand...
1) Should I have used a different Easy Set up for the AVCHD capture e.g. - Format = HD , Rate = 29.97fps, and Use = AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920X 1080i60 ?
2) Is there any difference to the Capture Scratch files I created having used the wrong (?) Easy Set Up ... = Format = all formats, Rate = All Rates and Use = DV-NTSC ....VERSUS .... the Easy Set Up I noticed later which is ... Format = HD , Rate = 29.97fps, and Use = AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920X 1080i60 ?
In short, have I messed up and created .MOV files that will not be at the best possible quality and use for editing later?
I am more than happy to redo all my capturing to get the best results.
THANKS

Thanks Tom...
To clarify please... confirm or correct (I am accomplishing some learning here )
If I hear you right ... because I ingested the material through the Log and Transfer function (for my AVCHD footage), the settings found in the Easy SetUp don't apply. It would appear that for that Log and Transfer function all ingested AVCHD is done with a default setting at all times. In Log and Transfer I found settings in preferences to import, putting the video at AIC and there is no alternate (other than for sound)Also the settings .
I opened QT M.Inspector and saw the following: Format = Apple Intermediate Codec, 1440 x 1080 (1888 x 1062), Millions,16-bit Integer (Little Endian), Stereo (L R), 48.000 kHz & Current Size = 1888 x 1062 pixels (Actual)
I think that this means that even thigh the pre-set is at 1440 x 1080 , that I actually achieve closer to the 1920 x 1080 result ... because of the size of the actual file itself?
So .. to summarize my inquiry ... from what I am leaning... As long as I ingest AVCHD in the Log and Transfer function I will always get the maximum result in resolution and file size. And that the settings I found in ESU are for tape capture only.
Thanks Tom ... I see you are busy on another forum as well. I appreciate all you are doing. If you see me again please understand that I do appreciate the help. I learn in a very different way than normal. After surviving a plane crash doing volunteer help work, and dealing with resulting head injuries the process and flow for me is different and a challenge. I started by learning to read again

Sony HX5V camera that shoots in either MPEG4 or AVCHD MTS2.

I have the above camera which i want to make DVD's for TV watching but i am unsure which format to use i.e. AVCHD mts2 or MPEG4 the latter i am told imports directly into iMovie which i want to use and then iDVD. Please can you advise which to use and what i need before importing into iMovie, i have skysoft video convertor ? will this work or do i need something or should i just shoot in MPEG4 then iDVD to make it playable on TV

With this camera, it is supported by both iMovie 11 and even iMovie 09, so there is no need to do any conversion before importing, no matter which mode you shoot.
In general, I would recommend that you use the AVCHD 1920x1080 if your concern is getting the highest quality and editing a movie.
If your concern is not the highest quality, but getting something on a DVD or the internet quickly and with minimal editing, I would choose one of the MP4 settings.
When you make a DVD, everything will be converted to 640x480 anyway, because all DVDs are standard definition, but you may want to post some HD online or watch on your computer or Apple TV.
You can always convert a high quality movie to a lower resolution, but you cannot convert a low quality movie to a higher resolution later, so my bias is to always shoot at the highest qualtity.
More from a quick google search:
The Sony HX5V has five movie modes. For the highest quality, it offers AVCHD recording at 1920 x 1080 and 60 fields per second. There is also a 1440 x 1080 AVCHD mode which may sound like a 4:3 aspect ratio, but is actually a subsampled 16:9 mode. AVCHD captures more detail and records smoother movement while minimizing file size.
But you can also record video in MP4 mode at 1440 x 1080, 1280 x 720 or 640 x 480, all at 30 fps.
Source: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/HX5V/HX5VA.HTM
Video Resolution : AVCHD: 1920 x 1080 (59.94i, Interlace) (Approx.17Mbps) / 1440 x 1080 (59.94i, Interlace) (Approx.9Mbps) MP4: 1440 x 1080 (29.97fps, Progressive) (Approx.12Mbps) / 1280x720 (29.97fps, Progressive) (Approx.6Mbps) / VGA (640 x 480) (29.97fps, Progressive) (Approx.3Mbps)
Source: Sony's web site http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&s toreId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=DSCHX5V/B#specifications

Final Cut Express 4.0.1 Update

Can anyone provide a link to update from Final Cut Express 4.0 to 4.0.1?
I would really appreciate the help!
Thanks.

Ian R. Brown wrote:
To the best of my knowledge the only thing the update does is to enable you to edit AVCHD.
I am not sure about that as I have the software boxes for both FCXP 3.5 HD and FCXP 4 and from description on both boxes and from Amazon, also, both these versions of FCXP were supposed to already support AVCHD.
I had to update/upgrade to these versions of FCXP when I upgraded my Sony digital video camcorder that uses AVCHD.
Here's the feature description for FCXP 4.
Edit like a pro. Final Cut Express 4.
Top Features
Edit quickly and precisely with professional, flexible editing tools
Mix and edit DV, HDV, and AVCHD video in a single Timeline*
Watch effects in real time thanks to RT Extreme with Dynamic RT
Import iMovie '08 video projects with cuts and cross dissolves
Precisely adjust the animation of any effect or transition using keyframes
Achieve the look you want with a robust suite of color correction and image adjustment tools
Work with built-in filter effects and third-party FxPlug plug-ins
Easily create sophisticated, animated titles with LiveType 2.1
Mix up to 99 audio tracks with built-in audio editing tools
Here's the feature description for FCXP 3.5 HD.
More Powerful Video Editing for DV, HDV, and AVCHD
Capture clips from your camcorder over a single FireWire or USB cable, then use the new Open Format Timeline in Final Cut Express 4 to edit together DV, HDV, and AVCHD material, even if they have different frame rates. Fine-tune your choices with professional ripple, roll, slip, and slide editing functions, either in the Timeline or a dedicated Trim window. And when it comes time to add effects, Dynamic RT lets you instantly preview effects, filters, transitions, and multistream composites in real time without rendering.

Legria HFS10 video camera + FCP 7

I am relatively new to FCP and have a Canon XHA1 camera which I have been using sucesfully with my projects. I am however looking for a smaller second camera which is easier to travel with. I'm considering Canon's Legria HFS10 and it seems ok from the specs I can understand in terms of working well with FCP 7. Should I be concerened that it only seems to connect with USB2 which I would have thought was a bit slow? Any advice on the suitability is appreciated. Thank you. Graeme.

Canon's Legria HFS10 and it seems ok from the specs I can understand in terms of working well with FCP 7.
Your current camera shoots HDV on tape and and with SDI can output 4:2:2 whereas the HFS10 is AVCHD, captures on flash memory and outputs 4:2:0. There are other quality differences as well.
Should I be concerened that it only seems to connect with USB2 which I would have thought was a bit slow?
The AVCHD cam will connect that way, but, assuming you want this camera, you may want to consider that same model without the built in hard drive (save some money) and just use SD Cards and put them into a card reader. You don't log and capture with AVCHD you log and transfer. A big consideration is the amount of space to store what you've captured. You will need to transcode the AVCHD to ProRes to edit in FCP since it won't edit the h.264 natively.

Onlocation firewire to USB video camera?

Wondering if its possible to connect a camera with USB port through a USB/Firewire adapter into a laptop for use with Onlocation?
Read previous Q&A stating onlocation can only accept firewire signal. USB not designed for video. etc.
Just wondering if camera USB output could be converted with an adapter to a Firewire signal at the laptop and onlocation show the video?
Not trying to capture with laptop, just use onlocation for camera setup and video monitor during avchd capture on the camera without firewire port?
Any help appreciated.
Regards
JD

Even if you could find such an adapter, it still would not work because the limitation is in the camera--it doesn't stream live video out through the USB port. As far as I'm aware, no camera does this. The USB ports are there for file-based transfer of recorded footage from some sort of solid-state memory contained in the camera, whether it's internal memory, an SD card, a hard drive, or something else.
Your only bet in this case is to use the analog video outputs (assuming the camera has them--this is what you'd normally use to view the camera's footage directly on a TV) and then an analog-to-digital converter that would plug in to the computer via 1394. You'd have to set the camera's analog output mode to SD, if you have the option, and you would need an A/D converter like those from Canopus/Grass Valley (ie. ADVC-110). This is pretty cumbersome, but it's the only way you'd be able to monitor from this particular camera via OnLocation.

What is the best way to capture off of an AVCHD Camera in final cut?

Im kinda new to final cut pro so, please don't flame me. I was hoping to capture some extra footage on to my system through my AVCHD camcorder. And i want to know the best way to do so? Thanks for the answers.

I was not successful using mpegstreamclip for this. However, I found VoltaicHD from ShedWorx and it works great. Simply load all the clips you want to convert, assign a location and walk away. The result is beautiful HD .movs ready to be imported into FCP. I paid about $35 for it and it was well worth it.

Capturing AVCHD straight to Final cut express

I have a Canon vixia HF10 camera that films in AVCHD. Mostly i have been importing to IMovie but I am trying to learn how to capture it straight into Final Cut Express. Any Help with how i can import the AVCHD files?

Hi,
You need to plug in your camera to your Mac, turn on the camera, and then go to the Log and Transfer window under the File menu. Your camera will show up there with all your individual files. You can select which one (or even parts of the files) you want to import. It's pretty easy; I have the same camera. Bear in mind, you need to have shot your material in FXP (the highest quality HD) in order for FCE to import it (at least, that's what I've read, and I haven't bothered to test the lower quality stuff for importing). Hope this helps.

Capture HD with AVCHD apple intermediate codec

I have captured video from my Canon xha1 previously. Today I went to capture some video. I have my presets to HD with avchd apple intermediate codec. When I go to capture I receive the message "capture preset must have video or an audio digitizer set to capture. Please change the desired preset in the audio/video settings. I go back to system settings and the "audio capture" is not highlighted. I'm not sure if this is how I set the capture preset or if there is something else I am looking for. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Hi Tom,
The camera settings are on HDV/DV. I haven't changed the setting, that I am aware of. I have tried a few easy set up settings. Last night I set to all formats and HDV. I was able to import video but not audio came through. I also tried HD with HDV or AVCD and received the message about needing a digitized audio preset. Today I received the message my deck could not be recognized. I loaded the footage into imove hd just to check my firewire. Video and audio both came through. Interestingly enough when I tried to import an imovie hd into fce, I received an error message. So my problem went from bad to worse. The other devices connected to my imac is an external hard drive and a printer. In the system profiler my camera is listed under the firewire device tree.
I am going to call Apple again tonight. I have only had this machine a month. So I am not very experienced with what can go wrong. But I guess I'm learning. By the way I have enjoyed your tutorial. I have learned a lot.
Thanks,
Jamie

AVCHD capture

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