FCP7 AVCHD Question

I have been unsuccessful with importing AVCHD footage into FCP7.  I've been trying to use the Log and Transfer as directed, but no luck.  I can down-convert the footage w/ Toast beforehand if necessary, but what settings should I use to make it FCP7-friendly.  Also, if my final output is to an SD DVD, what settings for shooting and importing should I use?
Thank you.

First off, FCP will only import from supported tapeless media if the full card structure is intact. Meaning you make a folder on your backup drive, name it something (with no odd characters in it like !@#$%^&*()... And then point Log and Transfer to THAT folder...don't go digging.  Full workflow tutorial here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhDnyWFAM10
Second...if you shot 1080p60, FCP will not import it via log and transfer. That's not a supported format in FCP...mainly because it is non-standard...there is no distribution method for it. BluRay doesn't do 1080p60, nor does broadcast...and DVDs are 30fps and standard def.
Third, there is no "AVCHD Standard," meaning that several companies will take the AVCHD base code, and change it to suit their needs. So FCP will support some AVCHD, but not others. Since it was discontinued 3 years ago, anything newer than that won't work...as all support stopped 3 years ago. Actually, the last update to FCP was 3.5 years ago...almost 4. So any camera made after that would have issues.
If you can't use FCP to import, then you need to use a third party converter, like ClipWrap2. And convert the footage to ProRes 422.

Similar Messages

  • Macpro CS4 yep, it's another AVCHD question

    I have read so many threads over the last few days that I am getting dizzy and confused. I picked up a JVC GZ_HD620 camcorder. on one of the sites I read "No Apple software can edit AVCHD natively. You'd need Premiere Pro" My questions are as follows;
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    a) What is the best way to import/download the files?
              1) directly to desktop using different software.
             2)  directly through import to prepro
             3) to windows 7 on my  mac
    b) However I do it I think I would like to keep it as  an h.264 i.e. QT
    c) Understanding that due to the  composition of AVCHD's whatever size file I download will expand in a  big way, I was thinking to save the expanded file on a 1tb hd. This way I  could slice out portions to work on as opposed to the whole file???
    my thoughts....
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  • Another AVCHD question

    I am using Premiere CS4 to edit footage shot on my Sony HXR-NX5U, which shoots AVCHD files on a memory card.  The maximum file size on the memory card is 2GB, so the camera automatically starts another file once it reaches the 2GB limit.  When I drag these files into a sequence created with the AVCHD preset that matches what I shot, there is a momentary loss of sound and a dropped frame at the boundary between two consecutive files.  However, if I play back the video on the camera, there is no loss of sound or dropped frame at those points.  Is this a known problem with CS4 and AVCHS files?  Where should I begin looking for a solution?
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    I upgraded to Premiere CS5, and I'm still having this problem  However, I found the solution!  The Sony NX5U camcorder comes with Sony's Content Management software.  In order to get sequential AVCHD files to play without a gap in the audio, you can't just drag the .MTS files from the card to the computer for editing.  You have to import them using the Content Management software, which will combine all the individual .MTS files into a single file that plays perfectly.
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  • Another AVCHD question :-) Recommended Camera

    OK, I recognize AVCHD isn't a popular topic.  We have all been through trying to bring AVCHD formatted video into Premiere trying to edit it natively to eliminate reformatting the video to a higher performing format for Premiere.  So let's try it a different way.
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    Thanks in advance,

    function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
    Harm Millaard wrote:
    Some things are unclear:
    I'm running a quad xenon 3ghz processors with an Nvidia Geforce GTX 285 video card.  7200 RPM HD
    A  and processors, singular versus plural and on the disk it appears singular. Xenon is usually used for headlights of cars or other lighting equipment, so I assume you are talking about Xeon. Can you be more exact, please.
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    Hmm.. Does it really? Maybe it's the software that is holding AVCHD editing back...
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    Juust a FYI.

  • AVCHD questions...

    hello,
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    I'm in PAL country which uses a frame rate of 25 fps (frames per second). Each frame is comprised of 2 interlaced fields, making 50 frames per second, known as 50i. NTSC is 29.97 frames per second, commonly referred to as 30 fps. This has 60 interlaced fields per second, thus 60i.
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    From my experience, with the settings I use and my intended use, I achieve good results. So, I'm happy at the moment shooting Full HD 50i video, as I'm sure you will be shooting at your NTSC format of 60i. Some users here (Steve Mullen in particular) recommend using a progressive format (rather than interlaced). I think Karsten Schluter records with a camera that shoots 720p - apparently this works very well with iMovie.
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  • Basic AVCHD questions

    1.) I understand that AVCHD video is highly compressed, though does it really fall into the category of HD video?
    2.) What information in the specifications for a camera indicate how highly compressed the video is?
    Thanks!

    The more mbps (mega bits per second), the more data is in the recording.
    The more data in the recording, the less compression is involved in the recording process.
    The less compression in the recording process, the less compression artifact is introduced into the image.
    (The above only when compared to the same compression scheme at different data rates)
    Message was edited by: Meg The Dog to CMA

  • More AVCHD Questions. Layman terms requested.

    I am getting lost in all the lingo and computer speak. I am new to Mac... like many others I have made the switch and find myself lost. I spent years learning Adobe Premiere and now I feel hopeless and confused. I am using a Sony SR-10 AVCHD camera. Is it safe to say this camera is not a good match for Final Cut Express? Would I be better off using Premiere for Mac? Like others when I use log & Transfer I get the "no data" icon. I am not clear if I've seen a fix for this. I have a G4 with Mac OS X 10.5.7.
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    Sadly you cannot transfer SD into FCE. I learned that the hard way (it might have been my plaintiff post that you read for help!)
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  • Best method for importing AVCHD

    Another AVCHD question. Which method would give the best quality?
    1) Import AVCHD via FCP log and capture using Pro res.
    2) Import via HDMI using Blackmagic Intenisty card.
    Thanks in advance. I've found a lot of good info so far by reading older posts.

    Much of a muchness really ... do you intend to work in ProRes?
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  • Capturing HD (miniDV) to MBP

    Ok here we go:
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    I've rendered 1 hour vids on far less capable pieces of machinery than an MBP13, mike!
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    But as far as future Sony / Mac application software Q's go , you may be better off asking them in the iMovie or Final Cut forums, rather than here. Those guys are all over such sorts of questions in a flash!
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    Rod
    Message was edited by: Rod Hagen

  • Switching from FCP7 to CS6! Two BIG questions I can't figure out...

    Hello!
    So I'm running CS6.01 on my new 27" iMac running OS 10.6.8. I'm excited to be transitioning over to CS6 after the last 6 or 7 years using Final Cut Pro. But I don't have time to mess around as I'm in the middle of projects so here are my 2 main questions right off the bat:
    First I should say that I edit AVCHD footage shot from Panasonic HMC150's. I shoot Weddings. About 35-40/year. In FCP, my workflow was...shoot EVERYTHING at 720p60 and TRANSCODE it in FCP to ProRes Proxy. Then I'd CONFORM it to 23.98 (using Cinema Tools which takes all of about 30 seconds to do 400 clips) so that it was all in slow-mo looking smooth and beautiful. Then, I'd drop it all on the timeline and edit. Most clips I need in slow-mo but the ones I don't (eg. the Ceremony) I just speed up 250% and it's full speed. Then at the end of editing I'd batch capture and re-transcode to ProRes 422 and I'm done. It all looks great.
    Here's the important thing:
    I edit on a 23.98fps timeline that way it maintains a bit of the film-stuttery look instead of the video/soap-opera look of 60fps footage and also it naturally has everything at 40% smooth slow-mo. I dont want that video/soap opera look that I would get if I edited my 60p footage on a 60p timeline! This is important to me.
    1) I know with CS6 I don't "have" to transcode, but I can just ingest and edit the AVCHD files natively, right? Well, okay, but if I do that will dropping those 60p clips on a 23.98fps timeline give me the same look I got when I use to conform the footage first? Specifically is it just as smooth to just change the speed of a 60p clip by 40% and drop it on a 24p timeline? And what about the stuff I want at full speed...if I drop that 60p footage right on the timeline and don't speed it up it will be full speed but will it look the same as my conformed footage looked when sped up in FCP? Please elaborate for me.
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    Hope my questions make sense. Thanks SO much in advance for all your help! It took me like 20 minutes to figure out how to post a question but now that I've done it I'm very excited that I've got it out there and hopefully I'll get past my current workflow roadblocks. Thank you!!!!!!!

    Jim Simon wrote:
    I'd recommend a different work flow.  Shoot what you want at full speed in 720p/24.  Shoot what you want in slow motion at 720p/60...
    I would respectfully disagree with Jim's statement and endorse the OP's technique of shooting at 60 fps for purposes of playback at both normal speed and slow motion at 24 fps.
    I think the more creative choices you give yourself in post the better.
    Since you (DMH79) are using the same footage for both normal speed and slow motion playback, I think your way is definitely the way to go as long as you are happy with the resolution.
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    Your last post on this topic was from a few months ago. I also switched from FCP7 and would be very curious to know what you have discovered!

  • Need Help with FCP7 import and plug in question.

    Hello,
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    Can't tell for sure but it sounds as if the drive is not properly formatted, or you do not have correct read/write permissions for it. There is no way you can use this drive with HQ video. You're going to get into problem if you even try.

  • TS3356 Simple question I hope! I want to buy a camcorder by JVC but it uses a format called AVCHD. I believe this has to be converted before it can be used on iMovie. Can anyone tell me, in simple language, if this is so and how easy it is?

    I want to buy a new camcorder and am considering one by JVC. This one, plus a few others such as Sony use AVCHD. I gather this would be need converting before any editing can be done in imovie?? I cant find a simple answer to this question. It seems strange to me that Mac dont appear to support AVCHD when so many video camera companies use it. Can anyone advise please, in simple language as I am far from a computer geek!!!
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  • Will PSE12 convert my AVCHD videos and burn to Bluray? [was:Question]

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    Atsugiboy
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    Show Package Contents on BDMV reveals CLIPINF, INDEX.BDM, MOVIEOBJ.BDM, PLAYLIST, and STREAM:

  • Aliasing In AVCHD Footage, Not In FCP7!

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    Here is a 100% size screenshot of the two clips opened side-by-side in Quicktime. Have a look.
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