Converting HD (AVCHD) .MTS files to DVD on a Powerbook G4

My NEW Sony HDR-TG1 camera has the ability to record in both HD (AVCHD) and SD (MPEG-2), however, iMovie ’08 states that ONLY the SD (MPEG-2)can be imported content; the HD (AVCHD) content appears to require an Intel-based Mac.
Does iMovie '09 support this functionality or can you recommend a software that will support the conversion of HD (AVCHD)to DVD using my Powerbook G4?
Thank you...

I'm new to this, so forgive me if I'm leaving out pertinent information or mis-stating something.
This is the potential secenerio which I am wondering about:
I'll be recording on the tapeless Panasonic HMC-150, onto SDHC cards. I'll put those cards into a card reader, and copy the files to an external HDD on my MAC. Then convert those AVCHD files DIRECTLY into an SD/DV format (no intermediary HD format), and do post in SD.
I assume that a Powerbook can copy any file off an SDHC card, right?
The only question, then (I think), is whether a utility can convert AVCHD into Mpeg2 or something else SD.

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Optimal Settings for Converting Sony AVCHD .MTS Footage for DVD Delivery

I am starting with footage from a Sony HDR-SR7 camcorder. Since iMovie is still kind of wonky with this, I am going to batch convert all my clips using the VeggieTools plug-in scripting for *Sony Vegas Pro* (under my Windows partition of my MacBook Pro). I can convert over each file into a new clip in a lot of different formats.
My goal is to *bring the footage over to Mac and edit it in Final Cut Express.* Eventually, I will be mastering and delivering on DVD (most likely through iDVD). And I am looking for guidance.
First, I have a lot of choices for the conversion format. But I am not sure what to use. I know that the original is upper field dominant and HD in size (16:9). I will eventually be going to standard DVD NTSC (with letterboxing top and bottom to fill up the format space of the 4:3 aspect ratio). And I assume that is lower field dominant.
Do I need to find some setting that lets me convert the footage to double the 29.97 fps rate while interpolating the fields? Or do I not have to worry about this? I am worried that bringing the size of the footage down will create some weird artifacts if this isn't taken care of first.
I guess the main question is, since I am looking to pretty much just edit these clips together and won't be doing much in the way of special effects, what's the best way or format to choose to *turn the HD footage into high quality SD footage* that I can quickly trim and string together *in Final Cut Express*...
Not sure if I gave enough info. I will be checking often in anyone wishes to try and tackle this one and needs more details...
And thanks for listening!!

OK my fault for not being clear on an extremely important point: I don't need anamorphic widescreen. Sorry to waste your brainpower on my lack of clarity. Mea culpa.
I intend to show this only on a standard definition TV from a standard definition DVD player. The "letterboxing" I spoke of is intentional on my part inside the standard def 4:3 frame. I will just let there be black bars at the top and the bottom.
So I don't need full super high resolution during this transfer (IF iMovie hadn't stopped recognizing my Sony AVCHD MTS camera after the first batch of video I collected, this wouldn't even be an issue. Been spending days on the forums trying all the solutions for the rest of my footage...).
But now that I have a workaround, I am just mostly confused about what to do about the field order (and thus, the frame rate) and the resizing (for convenience in size and playback speed). The original is upper first, and I am pretty sure that the QuickTime Movie I eventually make for iDVD should be lower field first (haven't tried tackling the can of worms of ideal MOV settings for an iDVD standard def disc yet).

Streaming AVCHD MTS files to Apple TV

I am still in search of the holy grail I think... I have yet to be able to figure out how to easily grab my MTS files from my Mac and stream them *as is* without transcoding, converting, etc on my TV. I just bought new Apple TV not for that purpose but can't seem to find anywhere here if I can use it to to stream AVCHD MTS files to my HDTV. Does anyone know? thanks

I just bought new Apple TV not for that purpose but can't seem to find anywhere here if I can use it to to stream AVCHD MTS files to my HDTV. Does anyone know?
I hate to point out the obvious, but the normal practice is for the user to purchase the device that supports what he wants to do and not buy a device and the try to force it to do something it was not designed to do.
To begin with, QT does not support Transport Streams such as TS/MTS/M2TS at all and only supports muxed MPEG-2 Program Streams employing specific audio formats... and then not natively. In other words, your file containers are not compatible with the QT player built into the TV/TV2 device. And, even if you place the data in a supported container, the audio and video data may or may not be compatible with the player codecs embedded in the device firmware.
If your primary purpose is to stream content muxed in an MPEG/MPG/MTS/M2TS wrapper, it might be more prudent to purchase a device designed specifically for such content. For instance, I gave my wife, brother-in-law, and son TV2 devices for Christmas. However, my father-in-law insisted on a device the would play the videos from his camcorder and indicated that at 87 years of age, he had no intention of transcoding anything. As a result, I got him the LaCinema Mini HD device. While I cannot confirm that your files would be compatible with this particular device, it or something similar may meet your needs.
Basically, you have three options here:
1) You can convert your content to make it compatible with the TV device,
2 You can "hack" the TV device and modify its capabilities, or
3) You can buy a device that actually does what you originally want it to do.

Projects settings for AVCHD MTS files in Adobe Premiere Elements 8

Hello,
I have read several discussions already, about importing AVCHD MTS file in Adobe Elements (version 8), but I'm also confused a littlebit, so I would like to confirm if I'm correct.
FYI, I have a Canon Legria HFR26 camera and am using Adobe Premiere Elements 8 (with the latest updates installed).
According to the specs in the Canon instruction manual:
Videos are recorded in high definition using AVCHD specifications
(MPEG-4/H.264 compression).
Audio compression: Dolby Digital 2ch
The camera supports making video's in different format, but I have done it in the default SP format, which results in a resolution of 1440x1080 (50 fields per second, interlaced).
I have copied the video from the camera to my harddisk, and Windows also mentions the video's as AVCHD of 1440x1080 (Bitrate 7672kbps).
The frame rate is 25 frames/second. I assume this is correct for 50i?
So, when I import my video's into Adobe Elements 8, I select the following projects settings:
PAL, AVCHD, HD 1080i 25
Because the description matches my video files:
- For editing with 1440x1080i AVCHD camcorders.
- 16:9 interlaced HD video at 25 frames per second.
- 48kHz audio.
The video's are imported correctly and I can play them. However, as soon as I drop a video on the timeline, Adobe immediately starts background rendering the video (a red line appears on the timeline).
What I understand from some discussions, is that this shouldn't happen, because the video format doesn't match the project settings. On the other hand, I have also read that for Adobe Elements 8 this is normal behaviour and it always start background rendering AVCHD video's.
Is this expected behaviour or should I chance my projects settings or maybe even convert my video files to a different format?
Thanks,
Michiel

The ability to work natively with AVCHD files was not added until version 10, Michiel. So you'll still have to render while you work in version 8.

Audio component not apearing when importing AVCHD .MTS files

When importing AVCHD .MTS files into Premiere Pro the Audio component is not available (also in After Effects and Media Encoder)
What am I doing wrong :/

You could most likely convert them using a program like 5DTORGB, and then pull them back into Premiere. Although there is a chance this won't work, however in most cases I find it usually does work. Just be prepared to lose your metadata.
If your on a PC I'd recommend downloading their beta version it will allow you to transcode your AVCHD to ProRes HQ.
http://rarevision.com/5dtorgb/
All you have to is provide them a correct email address and they'll send you a download link. When you transcode though keep in mind that it's going to make your file sizes much much larger, however this because ProRes is much less compressed than AVCHD video is. You do need to keep in mind though that ProRes HQ is visually lossless. If you chose to use another free converter program you'll most likely get stuck chosing a lossy format. Another nice thing though, is that it works on MAC too. Your shooter needs to know not to do this again though, because as you already know at this point. It can cause big issues...

Does iMovie 11 support native AVCHD (.mts) files?

Native AVCHD file support is the first thing I expected for the new iMovie. Does iMovie 11 support native AVCHD (.mts) files? Or it has the same painful way of importing and converting AVCHD files to the other format like iMovie 09?
Is there any improvements for AVCHD file supports in iMovie 11?

I don't think it does. I picked up a copy this afternoon after the keynote (I like the way that Apple stores have them in stock right away - and at $49 it wasn't really a painful experiment) hoping this would be the case, but it does not appear to be so.
After installing, I tried to import some loose .mts files, but they are greyed out. Some brief exploring turned up nothing to help.
This is really too bad. It would be so nice to be able to save the individual .mts file on my hard drive, and access them when necessary. I'm fine with the intermediate encoding iMovie does before editing, but forcing me to use the silly file structure of my camera's hard drive, or an iMovie archive (basically the same thing) is frustrating.
Allowing the import of naked .mts files would be a huge step forward.
Assuming I'm not wrong about this, what is the best way to work around this? What is the best way to bring loose .mts files into iMovie? (And I hope I'm not hijacking the thread by asking this.)

HT3775 How do I import AVCHD (.mts) files to iphoto and quicktime

How do I import,save, and play AVCHD (.mts) files to iphoto '11 and/or Quicktime?

First thing I'd try is deleting the iMovie Preferences. In the Finder, hold down the Option key and select Library from the Go menu. Navigate to the Preferences folder and find the com.apple.imovie.plist file and delete it.
Try opening iMovie.
If that doesn't work, restart holding down the shift key. It will run some disk checks (progress bar displayed), and then boot to the login window. It will say it is in safe mode on the login screen. Log in and check if iMovie works in safe mode.
From there, I'm not sure. Maybe boot into recovery hd and repair the disk.

Importing AVCHD .MTS Files - HELP

Since having kids, I have quickly become technologically-challenged and am looking for some help.
I have a Canon HG10 videocamera that is AVCHD and all the files are in .MTS format. I haven't been able to use this in years because the hard drive is full. Back in 2008, we were told that we could use FC Express to import the files, so we shelled out good money for it, but we quickly found out that we were given bad information. So since then, the camera has pretty much sat unused and is full of videos of my son as a baby. And now he's 6 and I have also had two baby girls since then. So I would LOVE to empty the camera and put it to some good use.
WHAT DO I DO FIRST???
I have a iMac running OS Lion 10.7.5 and iMovie '11. I'm trying to scour the forums for information, but since having kids I am completely ADD and don't have the patience for reading through outdated threads.
Questions:
1) Is iMovie '10 actually a newer version than iMovie '11?
2) Is it true that iMovie '10 will allow me to import the AVCHD/.MTS files directly off my camera?
3) If yes, is this the best way to retain the quality of the files? (Clearly I'm becoming computer illiterate, so I'm not trying to produce any award-winning documentaries, but I'd like to ensure the best quality possible.
4) I think I have external hard drives full of other .MTS files - not sure how I even got them on the external hard drives. I think I remember this being a problem before because I didn't keep the folder structure or something. Will I no longer have this problem?
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

since version 08, iMovie imports AVCHD
just select Import from Camera...
What's new in iMovie 13 aka v10 (which is newer than iMovie11, which was v09 ... no, this silly number scheme is not my fault!!!) is the ability to import mts without it's normal 'packing' as a AVCHD-structure.
It's no good idea to 'strip off' this AVCHD-structure - for future use, just copy the whole SDcard/cam hard-drive content into some folder onto some harddrive ...

FAQ: AVCHD MTS files

We have heard from a number of users who have reported an inability to apply markers to AVCHD MTS files because the .mts files were moved out of the folder structure created by the camera.
For example in this screenshot I demonstrate an MTS file that has been moved out of its original folder. Prelude can ingest this file and play it, however the Marker buttons are disabled because XMP cannot write markers for MTS files that are separated like this.
Instead it is important that the folder structure created by your AVCHD camera be maintained in its entirety. You can either copy the entire card to your computer then ingest from that, or ingest directly from the camera card and use Prelude to transfer the contents to a location on your computer.
When the entire folder structure is maintained you are able to add markers to the AVCHD clips.
If the original folder structure for your AVCHD MTS files is gone and your only option is to ingest raw MTS files you can transcode the clips using Prelude and Adobe Media Encoder by enabling the Transcode option in the Transfer Options. And if you create your own preset in AME it will appear as on option in Prelude.
The transcoded file is ingested into Prelude and you can add markers to it.

When attempting to play the .MTS files in import I'm getting the 'dropped frames' error message:
"Issues that may affect playback include available memory, disk speed, graphics performance, and processor performance.
You may be able to get better performance by doing the following:
- Use proxy playback by changing the Media setting to 'Proxy' in the Viewer Options pop-up menu. (Requires proxy media.)
- Optimize your source clip media."
Could the lack of RAM in this iMac actually cause the video to speed up in FCPX? (weird)

AVCHD .mts files imported but optimised files play fast in QT and FCPX 10.1.1

Hi Guys
Panasonic HC-V700 AVCHD .MTS files (from within the 'Stream' folder) imported and optimised into FCPX 10.1.1 but the imported/optimised clips (found in the Transcoded Media>High Quality Media folder) play too fast in QT and FCPX 10.1.1 . Was able to do this fine until yesterday.
Using OSX 10.9.1 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 with just 4GB RAM (hoping to get faster, souped-up new iMac very soon).
When playing the 1080/50p clips on the camera's video player they play at normal speed. Weirdly, today, FCPX has 'acknowledged' the camera on the import window despite the 1080/50p footage (previously it didn't show the camera as a valid import 'archive' on the import screen). Now, on the import window whenever I play a clip it also plays too quick.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Warm regards
Peter

When attempting to play the .MTS files in import I'm getting the 'dropped frames' error message:
"Issues that may affect playback include available memory, disk speed, graphics performance, and processor performance.
You may be able to get better performance by doing the following:
- Use proxy playback by changing the Media setting to 'Proxy' in the Viewer Options pop-up menu. (Requires proxy media.)
- Optimize your source clip media."
Could the lack of RAM in this iMac actually cause the video to speed up in FCPX? (weird)

Converting 50fps 5.1 Audio AVCHD/MTS files to 5.1 Audio at 25fps ProRes

I'm having a bit of a problem finding a way to convert the files from my Panasonic camcorders to edit in FCP 7.
At the moment, I have been using two applications to convert the AVCHD files, Toast and ClipWrap but neither of these applications seems to do what I need them to do for some projects (some projects do not require the 5.1 audio).
The AVCHD files are 50fps (camera fixed) with 5.1 audio and the particular projects I am working on are 25fps and I would like access to all the 5.1 channels for audio mixing down to stereo but I need one of the 5.1 channels in particular.
If I use ClipWrap, I get 5.1 audio but the 50fps is converted to 25fps by slowing the video down by 50%.
If I use Toast, I get proper 25fps video (by eliminating every other frame) but the audio is two channel stereo. I can actually see the options for multichannel audio but they are greyed out.
Can anybody please tell me how I can get what I need, please?
Either 25fps video at 100% speed using ClipWrap
or
5.1 audio using Toast
or
Recommend another application which does this.
I have searched online for other applications but the trials I have done have all been limited to stereo output even though they are recognised the 5.1 audio in the input file.
Cheers

That may seem like an option but I have been using FCP for almost 15 years. I like the workflow and although I would never claim to be anything even close to an expert, I know my way around sufficiently to do what I need to do.
I have tried FCP X - I didn't just open it up and look at it, I did an eight hour training course in two parts with hands on tutorial. I found the whole process extremely painful and counterintuitive. It was like trying to use iMovie again (which I once had to do in order to train young people in rudimentary editing).
Yes, I may be a stick in the mud but I am not starting out fresh from university on a filmmaking odyssey, nowadays, I'm more or less making films for the enjoyment and FCP X does not give me any joy.
I can't remember every item on the list but when I first started shooting in HD, I pondered switching to Premiere and found a dozen or so fundamental problems which would affect the way I am used to working and so stuck with the creature with which I was familiar. There is, and never was, anything wrong with FCP 7 which ever caused me any real and lasting problems until I discovered this anomaly. There is a long and tedious workaround which involves converting the media twice if I need the 5.1 audio but I would not have thought it would be such a problem for a converting application to include all audio channels in its output.

Rewrapped AVCHD MTS files not playing correctly

I'm using a Panasonic HDC-TM700 camera to record 1920x1080 60p. The camera records to the AVCHD format which yields a .MTS file. Final Cut Pro X still does not support importing from this camera. I've tried the various tricks mentioned in these forums such as creating a camera archive, importing directly from the SD card, using Panasonic's AVC CAM restore tool, etc. Nothing has been sucessful, so it looks like it's back to re-wrapping the .MTS file to a .m4v file. To do this, I'm using the Rewrap2M4V apple script combined with ClibGrab as described in other discussions. My newly wrapped m4v clips play just fine in Quicktime Player. The movie inspector reports a FPS of 59.94 and a resolution of 1920x1080.
When I import these clips into Final Cut, however, I see two green or black empty frames about every 28-30 frames. This occurs when I'm previewing the clip from the event library and when the clip in in the timeline. The timeline is set to 1920x1080 59.94p, though I've tried 60p and saw the same behavior.
When I export the clip to a h.264 .mov file, I don't see the green or black blank frames, but the picture is garbled in those places.
For what it's worth, I've installed the updated QT codecs. Any ideas?

I don't know what conversion engine clipgrab uses, but i have had success with the old Final Cut Express using ffmpeg based software to re-wrap the .MTS files from my panasonic GH2. I use Media Converter (an ffmpeg front-end) and if you go to their presets page you'll find presets i made to do it. Give that a shot maybe. Another thing you can try to do if that still does not work is a 'standards conversion' of the re-wrapped video to ProRes in JES Deinterlacer.
good luck!

How to convert and import MTS files from my Sony NEX 10e into iMovie for editing?

Hi, dear all,
I have hard time to bring in my footage shoot using Sony NEX 10e camcorder into iMovie 11 for editing. Is there anyway I can convert these MTS files foe editing in IMovie 11?
Thanks in advance!!
Kevin

Some frame rates and resolution combos will not import into iMovie directly. That's true. For instance, 1920x1080 @ 60 progressive frames per second (meaning not interlaced), that is not compatible with iMovie and you might need to convert it using a program like ClipWrap. Also if you have just the 'bare' .mts files, iMovie will not be able to import those either. iMovie expects to find all the folders and auxiliiary files recorded onto the memory card when you shoot AVCHD video. It needs all those extra pieces to navigate to the video clips and subsequently convert them from .mts to Apple Intermediate Codec. So in the case where you have a 'bare' .mts file use Voltaic HD to do the conversion.

Is there an easy way to convert and import MTS files from a external hardrive so that I can edit them in FCP?

I am trying to convert game footage that is in MTS format to something that I can edit into a quick highlights video. I have final cut express and the standard IMovie '09. looking for easiest solution, everything seems to involve using one application to convert to Quicktime and then dropping file into Iphoto etc. is there an easy way?

I'm not completely sure that MPEG Streamclip can convert AVCHD footage (.mts files). If MPEG Streamclip doesn't do the job, then get a copy of Clipwrap, which was designed for transcoding .mts files to QuickTime/Apple Intermediate Codec (that's the format/codec you need to convert the .mts files to for use in FCE).

CS6 problems AVCHD MTS files

Forgive for bad English. I hope, the thought is clear. I got OEM Production Premium CS6 with MXO2 mini. I received a problem known for all... My problems when playing AVCHD MTS were solved by program converter installation, in fact, additional codecs. Now everything "flies"!
Win7, 32Gb RAM
Details ask. Better in Russian :-)

When attempting to play the .MTS files in import I'm getting the 'dropped frames' error message:
"Issues that may affect playback include available memory, disk speed, graphics performance, and processor performance.
You may be able to get better performance by doing the following:
- Use proxy playback by changing the Media setting to 'Proxy' in the Viewer Options pop-up menu. (Requires proxy media.)
- Optimize your source clip media."
Could the lack of RAM in this iMac actually cause the video to speed up in FCPX? (weird)

Converting HD (AVCHD) .MTS files to DVD on a Powerbook G4

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