NEVER BUY AN AVCHD CAMCORDER (no problem – only sharing)

[Wayne Waag]

You’re right–I’m using a PC. I didn’t realize that using a MAC was so torturous for something so simple. From what you describe, it’s a real goat rope–I’d be annoyed as well. I guess that’s one advantage of using products that have the dominant market share. Sounds like the main problem is Apple and Quicktime. Sorry for my misunderstanding.

wwaag

[Roy Plisko]

I’ll agree that Apple’s system is a little odd. But the torture is also because of the way the format must be handled. No other format must be accommodated like this one. . . except maybe optical discs. Even in Windows access to the .MTS files makes it slightly easier but it is still a Rube Goldberg contraption compared to other formats. Also, if you have spanned clips, then trying to keep sanity by dragging .MTS files out creates more problems.

The PC is the dominant market share in home business and gaming uses but the artistic market has always been dominated by Mac until only about 10 years ago when PC’s started making inroads. Most professionals seem to prefer Macs for this work. Maybe it’s because they have been doing it a long time. If you want to work professionally you will come across Macs all the time. I’m in an office where the “business/marketing” oriented people mostly Windows laptops and the other half of the building where the photography, graphic design and video departments are is all macs. Nobody in the art wing has a PC.

You were right to say I am ranting. I didn’t mean to rant at you if it sounded that way.

[Sam Lee]

I charge clients 15% more for anything with AVCHD. It’s a pain in the $%@@$. Yes, I edit in FCP X and you can edit natively with AVCHD. But good luck trying to relink and do any future revisions with it. Metadata on clip names are horrible. It’s virtually impossible to relink dozen of folders with the generic “Clip 1…” cam. I spent more times in figuring out how to relink and update than edit the whole show with it. It is just not a format for serious pro to use. My only easy solution is to export it to an AVC-I 100 MXF with Premiere CC for Mac or Windows format and it’s a pleasure to work in FCP X.