Opened Trial, keeps crashing on import from camera of AVCHD

Question

Hi
I have a MBP 15" 2.66ghz running 10.6.8 with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 33M graphics card (also has the Intel HD Graphics card). I want to import .mts files from a Panasonic GH2 of interviews and location shots.
I'm basically following a Larry Jordan video: where he opens FCPX, creates an event and imports from camera. He's importing AVCHD clips and I watch as he chooses a folder which comtains ONE folder, titled 'Private'. He clicks on Private, clips appear and he chooses options and clicks import.
I did the exact same thing. Of course, AVCHD folders normally contain 3 folders one of which is named 'Private', but since he choose it I did too. There were 4 clips I selected to import without choosing Optimizing or any of the options on the dropdown. I quickly saw no progress was being made and within seconds the ball started spinning and I had to force close.
So I tried with one file--crashed. Tried choosing the folder with 3 folders including Private and copying one file--crashed. Finder too became dysfunctional and I had to force shutdown and restart several times.
Finally, when I started up FCPX wouldn't open. I had wanted to try transcoding one file. While I wait to give it a whirl:
Is it the .mts files?
Is it my graphics card or processor?
I checked FCPX Prefs but didn't see an indicator of ram being used, I have 8gb and would allocate all if helpful. Is it likely to transcode with ease?
ps I also have FCS and Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.0.0.

Answer 1

Yep, thx, excellent idea. In sys prefs one can do that--done.
I also did some testing to replicate problem: new user, safe mode. Crashes kept occurring.
WHAT WORKED and has made a demonstrable difference: Unchecking background rendering in prefs and pausing rendering in that little pop-up window that shows background activities while importing.
Immediately, I could import more files, tho so far I've only tried one at a time. Today I will try multiple file imports at same time.
I wonder what else I can do to limit FCPX ******* around while I import?
STILL CAN"T IMPORT long files, 24-min or 30-min files, without it crashing. Tho I come awfully close, 80%+, even 90%+ before stopping. Usually, it says 'import failed" and "try re-importing' and when I do that it crashes. I will try again, if still no success I will consider importing sections of one file. Some interviews are 1 hour+.
WILL EVENT SIZE cause crashes as my ability to import grows. That's what happens with Premiere Pro.
RESTABILIZING FINDER (Can a brother get a hand): Part of the problem post crash is that Finder is affected: Often I have to force shutdowns, attached drives can't be detached, even "Finder not responding". If my FCPX prefs get corrupted the same could happen to some Finder prefs.
FINDER HELP: After what I described, what prefs could I trash or other actions take to help Finder?
Thanks again for your help, Tom!! All the best!