Converting .MTS files to edit in final cut pro

[Matt Campbell]

Don’t know of any freeware for this but After Effects does this nicely. Which is what I’ve used in the past, because you can go directly to ProRes or any other codec for that matter. Every time you make a conversion, like you are, you will have significant generation loss. How is your footage looking after the mp4 to mov conversion?

I would not use Handbrake for any conversions for editing. You should be able to connect your camera and maybe try FCP log and transfer. Not sure if this will work, as I have not tried it. But there might be a driver for this. I hate working with MTS files. So problematic.

OS 10.6.7, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 4 gb ram and AJA IoHD

[Sean Livings]

Hi Matt

Thanks for the quick response.

Unfortunatly, I don’t have the camera now, only the MTS files. It does lose considerable quality when I transfer from mp4 to mov.

Hoping to find another way…

[Shane Ross]

Don’t use any external converters unless you need to. And Handbrake is never advisable, as it doesn’t make editalble files.

First option…FCP’s own LOG AND TRANSFER…I have a video tutorial for that:

https://library.creativecow.net/ross_shane/tapeless-workflow_fcp-7/1

If that doesn’t work, then ClipWrap2 will do it. DivergentMedia.com

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Dave Farrants]

I use .MTS files and FCP 7, Clipwrap is the way to go and not expensive, it’ll either re-wrap or convert for you. FreeMTS a free app from the App store and will also convert MTS files but it’s not quick. The Panasonic AVCCAMImporter (free + Google) works as a plugin for QT7 / FCP7 and allows direct import of .MTS files to FCP 7.0.3 – not recommended for anything other than a quick cut though as it’ll work like the program is stuck in treacle!

[Sean Livings]

Thanks for the advice.

Have decided to use Log and Transfer. However, when I get to 11:30min (import) part of your video the .MTS files come up in light gray so I can not click on them. Do you know how to overcome this?

Many thanks.

[Dave Farrants]

FCP won’t natively import, play or edit .MTS unless you install the Panasonic AVCCAMImporter, even then I’d STRONGLY recommend you use ClipWrap instead.

[Sean Livings]

Thank you very much Dave.

Will use ClipWrap as you advice – am using the trial version as a tester to make sure it works and it seems fine.

Which ‘Output Format’ do you recommend I use?

The final film will be uploaded to youtube.

[Dave Farrants]

ProRes

[Steve Eisen]

[Sean Livings] “Using ‘Handbrake’ to convert files into .mp4 and then using MPG Streamclip to convert those files into .mov”

Sean

As an FYI, .mov is just an extension. You would want to convert your original files to ProRes.

Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Vice President
Chicago Creative Pro Users Group

[Sean Livings]

Thanks! Am doing that now…

All working fine – the only thing is the files being converted to .mov are huge. A 1min clip is 2gb.

Is this normal? (Same clip is 214mb as a .MTS file)