JVC GZ-HD30 importing AVCHD

I want to buy the JVC GZ-H30 camcorder but the only thing that is stopping me is the comment on the iMovie 08 compatible list stating "iMovie does not support MPEG-2 from this camcorder"
However if I record all my footage in Full HD (AVCHD) will iMovie 08 play nice and let me import? or should I be looking at a different camcorder?
Cheers,
Message was edited by: Pongify

Thanks Dan!
It's very handy!
BR!
Nik

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What is the correct way to import AVCHD into Final Cut Express?

The Final Cut Expres user manual (p. 221) says to import AVCHD footage with HDV Apple Intermediate Codec: "Important: Use the HDV - Apple Intermediate Codec Easy Setup for ingesting AVCHD footage."
But, Easy Setup has options for both HDV AIC AND AVCHD AIC. Why are there choices for AVCHD if the manual says to import AVCHD with HDV?

The manual is incorrect/human error/typo.
HDV and AVCHD do share the Apple Intermediate Codec as all this incoming footage will be converted to AIC so FCE can work with it on a frame by frame basis.
Call up the FCE>Easy Setups and look at the options.
You will notice 6 options (FCE 4.0.1) for 1080i with differing frame sizes and frame rates.
Only ONE of these is correct for the type of footage to be captured/ingested from the camera.
You need to know what the camera settings are, then output to FCE with an exact matching Easy Setup.
These days one camera can be set to different options making this decision one based on knowing how to operate the camera menu and select the right options.
When an FCE Easy Setup is changed only NEW Sequences will reflect the change not existing ones. In fact, in many cases, if the Easy Setup and incoming footage don't match it simply won't work causing the user to curse the Apple software.
First step is to select the correct Easy Setup then capture/ingest.
For AVCHD it will be an AVCHD - Apple Intermediate Codec........................
Example:
Camera has shot AVCHD 1920x1080i50
Easy Setup will be AVCHD - Apple Intermedaite Codec 1920x1080i50
The above example is for PAL interlaced, that's what i50 means.
NOTE: FCE will not work directly with p (progressive) footage so make sure your camera shoots i (interlaced).
Al

Want to import avchd footage from a media card into FCE.

Trying to import avchd video from a media card into Final Cut Express. Panasonic DMC-ZS3 / FCE 4.0.1 / MBP 10.6.8. Have taken a look at the footage using a trial version of Pavtube MTS Converter.

A further comment : this is AVCHD Lite, and there are several online recommendations for software to convert files for Mac. Any suggestions??

HT5251 Can't import AVCHD into iPhoto after upgrade

I created a new iPhoto library after doing the upgrade and tried all the suggested methods for importing my avchd folders and it didn't work! Am I missing something? The quicker they dump avchd the better!

I have the same problem with iPhoto 9.3's advertised ability to import AVCHD videos, and I also carefully followed Apple's instructions. (I am using the latest version of Mac OS X too; 10.7.4.) I get lots of "unreadable files" due to "unrecognized format", even with MTS files.
In addition, Apple's instructions imply that the camera should either mount and allow AVCHD movies to be imported in the usual way, or not mount at all, in which case Apple's instructions for copying appropriate folders should be followed. However, my Panasonic FZ150 mounted normally, but no AVCHD movies showed in the list to be imported.
I reported this to Apple via "Provide iPhoto Feedback" in the iPhoto menu.
Has anyone got this to work with the publicly-released version of iPhoto 9.3?

How do I import AVCHD videos into FCP X?

Hi everyone,
I'm running FCP X on a Macbook Pro (2.3 GHz Intel i5, 4GB RAM), and I am filming with a Sony Handycam AVCHD camera. I've tried simply importing AVCHD footage from the Handycam using the camera import setting in FCP, and sometimes it will recognize the camera, but usually it will not. I've also tried importing the footage in iMovie, but I have the same issue. After I realized that FCP does not communicate well with the camera, I purchased a third party converter called 4Media MP4 converter. Sometimes this solves the issue and the video will convert to MP4, which I can then edit in FCP. But most of the time the footage gets converted into slow motion video with regular speed audio. I've also tried Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac, but the quality from that sucked even worse!
Does anyone know how to make this work? Am I doomed to be unable to use an AVCHD camera with my Mac? Are there any better third party converters?

In FCP 7 I'd normally use the Log and Transfer function to convert the AVCHD files to ProRes. However with FCP X you can use the Import from Camera... command in the File menu or the button shortcut for the same function.
This can be done by connecting the camera, or putting the memory card from the camera into a card reader, and then, from within the Imprt from Camera dialogue, selecting Open Archive and select the camera, card or in my case the backup I've made of the card.
I regularly back up my AVCHD files to hard disk, or BluRay data disk, so I can reuse my SD cards but an important thing to remember when doing this is that you need to copy the whole directory structure of the memory card to a new folder on the hard drive. Simply selecting the .mts files won't work as the 'Import From Camera' function needs to see the whole directory structure to interpret the what files are there etc. I create a new folder and then copy all the folders and files on my card into that folder on my hard drive. When selecting Import from Camera/Open Archive I then choose the folder, not the files inside it. Once this is done the video files are presented and I can audition them and choose to import all of them or select the files I want.
None of these methods require the files to be transcoded prior to import. You can choose the transcoding method during import so that either high quality ProRes files are created or Proxy files, smaller and lower quality for editing.

How to Import AVCHD 1080/60p Files into Final Cut Pro 7?

How do I import AVCHD 1080 / 60p Files into Final Cut Pro 7? And if there is no direct way [I certainly haven't found one, but I'm no expert], what additional software would be used? I want to import the files from a Panasonic HDC-HS700 onto an Intel Mac laptop [Mac OSX 10.5.8]? Obviously I don't want to compress & compromise my footage.
I’m sure a simple, straightforward series of steps would help many people with this issue.
Thanks!

Thanks for the response!
I'm guessing you've found ClipWrap2 to be better than competing products [such as AVCHD Converter for Mac, Toast Titanium, or Voltaic].
On to the next steps. Using Clipwrap2, would I leave the checkbox "Convert Audio to LPCM" selected or deselected [and what the heck is LPCM?]. In the pulldown menu would I choose "Rewrap (Don't alter video samples)" or do I save a step by choosing "Apple ProRes 422"?
And finally, am I gaining anything by shooting 1080/60p on this Panasonic HD Camera other than a headache? [Some have suggested this is not a True 60p.]

Can't import AVCHD files since i've updated to OSX 10.7.

Can't import AVCHD files since i've updated to FCPX 10.03 and OSX 10.7. Before it worked ok.
When I try to import files from the Camera, or the Memory Stick they end up looking like offline files. On my other mac (iMac intel core duo 27", with OS 10.6) I can still import these files.

Make sure you don't have Proxy checked in Playback Preferences.
Andy

Can't import AVCHD from Canon F10 into FinalCutPro 6.0.4 via USB

Can't import AVCHD from Canon F10 into FinalCutPro 6.0.4 via USB. When opening Log&Transfer in FCP, no files show up (the Log&Transfer window do not seem to recognize the files on the camera). The camera shows up in Finder, though. - Do I need a driver?

sorry, of course USB is available for L&T, I use it every Friday so I should know better, I got two replies mixed up completly so thanks for correcting my mistake.
what I meant to suggest was if the camera does not show in finder or in L&T check the camea menu setting is set to connect to the hard drive and not from the camera or memory card.

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 ...

Trouble importing AVCHD

I try to import AVCHD into my imac 2,2/Gb ram/Leopard 10.5 using AVCHD i60 codec (amongst others) from panasonic HDC HS300. Nothing works all the way. I have no filters or transitions inserted. YEt the clip after being imported in the timeline stutters and eventually stops after about 17 seconds when played in the timeline.
Page 221 in the user manual says "IMPORTANT: Use the HDV-Apple Intermediate Codec easy setup for ingesting AVCHD fotage" Tried that but that doesn´t work AT ALL.
Is there any help at all? Please, some kind soul..../ fransmo

OK I´ll try to be more accurate. I tried both importing through the avchd 1920x1080 i50 and i60 presets. the film was originally made on panasonic HDC HS300 at preset HA1920 (best). What happens is that the clip start to stutter when imported in the timeline and then finally freezes after about 17 seconds.
This doesn´t happen if I import avchd footage on my macbookpro, but as I like to be able to use the big screen of the imac I would be very glad to be able to use that for video editing. I´ve checked all the setting and there doesn´t seem to be differences between the two.
I downloaded Iskysofts viedo converter and ran the clip through that, and thet seemed to convert it allright, so there must be something wrong with the settings or converting abilities in FCE from what I take it

"mistake" sign when importing AVCHD from camera

Dears!
Could anyone advice, what is the solution for the issue: with iMovie 09 I'm trying to import AVCHD films from Sony HDR C11. The program sees the films and even can play them (in import window). The import process starts and continues for the while, after that (when the import has been finished) it shows the mistake sign below the clip. During the process iMovie creates all theneded files in events folder and even the final .mov file appeares,but only till th end of the import process - afterwards the .mov disappeares...
I really feel it should be quite an easy soltion (some time ago with iMovie 08 I succeded sevsral times to do that), but I cant find it...
thanx in advance...

Jim thanx for attempts))
Well if you can imagine the window that shows the process of importing, - there are clips on the bottom (where you check choosing what to import) and a big screen on the top where you can watch a clip... After you chose (checked) the clip, you push the "import" button and the process starts... Below the importing clip you see the progress line... It runs to the end and then after the import of the clip is finished, a sign "Mistake" (it is in russian.. probably in english it would be written with some other word..) appears below the clip...

IMovie freezes when importing AVCHD from Canon HF20

I've recently bought a *Canon HF20 AVCHD* Full HD camcorder, and am having a hard time importing the footage through iMovie '09. Here's exactly what happens:
1. I connect the USB to the back port of the iMac. The camera indicates a flashing USB symbol and nothing else happens. It doesn't mount the camera drive and iMovie doesn't detect the camera.
2. OK, so I connect the USB to a powered USB hub and it displays the correct message on the camera, mounts the camera drive and iMovie detects the camera is connected correctly.
3. I tell iMovie to import the footage. After a while, the estimated time left begins to increase up to hours long, and the progress bar eventually stops, and iMovie freezes, whith the colored spinning wheel as the cursor.
Each time I try to import the footage, iMovie freezes at different points.
Does anyone else have this problem importing AVCHD footage into iMovie '09 ?
Thanks in advance,
João Faraco

Well, judging from the deafening response, posting this question here is pretty useless.

How to Import AVCHD Files?

I recently purchased a Sony HandyCam HDR-SR10 Camera. I love the camera overall but now i have video files that i need to put on my computer. After speaking with Sony Support they said that in order to transfer files i must use the camera as a hard drive basic stuff just click and drag. However i ran into the problem that all of my AVCHD Files were not able to be opened by any program. After reading up and looking around i found that it seems Final Cut Express 4 now has the ability to import AVCHD files DIRECTLY from the camera to Final Cut Express... I really would like to know how to do this in Final Cut Express.... Any Help, Insights, or Tutorials, would be GREATLY appreciated. I really just need to know how to import the files to my computer and be able to edit them.....
-- thanks in advance.... charlie

For starters, watch the FCE4 Built-In AVCHD Quicktour
There are tutorials also.

Importing AVCHD: iMovie vs. Voltaic HD

I'm going to use a new HDD-based camcorder (those who read my previous topics will know why I - or rather someone else - chose HDD over tape). I've narrowed down my choice between a "basic" standard definition model, and a choice of more expensive high-def. models which feature optical image stabilization and take nice still pictures. Since they're HDD-based, they record in AVCHD.
I've been recently given a 10 s. sample of AVCHD video which I converted using Voltaic HD, but it took about 2 minutes (and I can consistently reproduce this time when converting it again) on my 2.2 GHz MBP. This is far from what I've read here when importing with iMovie '08 (which seems to take about twice as long as the actual footage length, and not ten times).
For those who own and use an AVCHD camcorder with iMovie '08 (and possibly Voltaic as well), how long does it usually take you to import footage with iMovie? With Voltaic?
Do you think (or know from personal experience), importing with Voltaic would be faster when importing larger clips, or do I really have to expect it taking ten times as long as the footage to import AVCHD?

I used "Voltaic" to test a short sequence recorded with a Panasonic AVCHD SD5 camcorder - to see what the quality was like before buying the camera, and before buying an Intel Mac to go with it.
Like Appleman's ..that camcorder shoots on SD (..or SDHC..) memory chips, not a hard disc.
Actually, that's what my sample came from (an SD5, or possibly an SD9).
I was disappointed with the results - though that might have been because I didn't choose some settings correctly - because although normal zooms and pans and static material looked OK, fast-moving material (..e.g; a train passing by..) seemed to have its fields reversed or overlaid, with an annoyingly imprecise location of vertical edges, and strong "comb" effects on moving edges ..as if the interlaced fields had been de-interlaced and then doubled to make Voltaic's frames (..this was using PAL video at 'full' 1920x1080i).
I'm not sure I understand all of that, but I was also disappointed with Voltaic's results on fast-moving objects (there wre two in the sample clip). Overall quality was very good though, and once the footage was converted from AIC to DV, the problem was less noticeable.
P.S: ..You say "..it took about 2 minutes (and I can consistently reproduce this time when converting it again) on my 2.2 GHz MBP.."
On Voltaic's website FAQs (..scroll down about halfway..) they show:
"How long does the conversion take?
This depends on your machine, but as a guide, on a 2.0 GHz MacBookPro with 2Gb of RAM, a 10 second AVCHD clip takes about 2 minutes to convert. In other words, it takes about 12 times as long as the original footage to convert the clip."
Thanks. That settles it. 12x is way to slow, and while iMovie can apparently import the footage faster, I want to keep the ability to transfer the footage from the camcorder's HDD to my drive and convert it later. So, AVCHD is not for me yet.

How to import AVCHD clips from HD camcorder?

How I can import AVCHD clips from Sony HDR-TG1 with best possible quality to iMovie '09?
Camera records clips as 1080i format but when I import them to iMovie '09 quality are cr*p. I have a same problem with iMovie '08. This has something to do with interlacing and single field processing but is there any workaround (other than using PC)?

tgynther wrote:
Camera records clips as 1080i format but when I import them to iMovie '09 quality are cr*p. I have a same problem with iMovie '08. This has something to do with interlacing and single field processing but is there any workaround (other than using PC)?
Preview playback may not be too good since QuickTime in general doesn't seem to deinterlace very well (when it deinterlaces at all).
Quality of exported footage varies greatly according to whether or not you select +just the right+ export settings. See this thread for details:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8859971
If exporting to SD (particularly, to iDVD), see here:
http://pond.org.uk/misc/imovieandhd/workflow.html
I'm planning to update this guide soonish with information on how to end up with 720p60 output from 1080i60 input (i.e. in effect treat the input as 1920x540 at 60 frames/sec progressive, turning it into 1280x720 at 60 frames/set progressive).

JVC GZ-HD30 importing AVCHD

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