Continue reading »]]> Q1 – “I just purchase a Sony NEX-FS100 camcorder, and shoot some mts video clips, when I try to import the mts videos to iMovie for editing, problem comes, iMovie cannot recognized the files, so how can I solve this problem, or rather, how can I effortless import Sony NEX-FS700 AVCHD to iMovie on my Mac OS X? Thanks.”

Q2 – “I literally just bought my Sony FS100 today, and shot a quick test using quick motion. I set to 4 fps, and output format was 1080 60p. When I attempted to import the FS100 footages to Final Cur Express for editing on Mac Mountain Lion 10.8, it gave me an error (unspecified, just a red exclamation point). FCE can’t import 60p? was that the issue?”

Q3 – “We recently purchased a Sony NEX-FS100. Great camera…

I’ve spent the past few hours trying to find the best workflow to get the footage into Final Cut. The bad news is that I haven’t found much. Should I just jump ship and migrate to Premiere Pro now, or is there a good way to transcode this footage to a format that Final Cut will work with? I tried mpeg stream clip, but it doesn’t seem to recognize the source footage. I also tried Final Cut’s log and transfer, but couldn’t get that to work either. Does anyone have any advice for me?”

Q4 – “We’re looking into getting a Sony NEX FS100 and I’m wondering if anyone has any experience working with the AVCHD codec shot with the FS100 and Final Cut Express? Seen some posts that suggest the workflow is transfer AVCHD to AIC MOV. Is this going to be more of a pain than it is worth? Any helpful suggestions are appreciated.”

By Google search, I seen some posts related to this topic, but no definitive answer/solution on the subject. Here I will provide a solution on “How to effortless import Sony NEX-FS100 AVCHD to iMovie/FCE for Editing on Mac OS X”.

Sony NEX-FS100 enables Full HD (1920 x 1080) progressive slow and quick motion. Frame rates are selectable from among 60fps, 30fps, 15fps, 8fps, 4fps, 2fps, and 1fps. But its the incompatibility of supplied PMB with Mac makes numerous Mac users frustrated. They are looking for the best solution to make NEX-FS100 generated AVCHD files playable and editbale on Mac iMovie, FCP (X), FCE and other non-linear editing software.

Full list of recording frame rates is as follows:
HD PS (28Mbps) 1920×1080/50p, HD FX (24Mbps) 1920×1080/50i, HD FH (17Mbps) 1920×1080/50i, HD HQ (9Mbps) 1440×1080/50i, HD LP (5Mbps) 1440×1080/50i, HD FX (24Mbps) 1920×1080/25p, HD FH (17Mbps) 1920×1080/25p, HD FX (24Mbps) 1280×720/50p, HD FH (17Mbps) 1280×720/50p, SD/STD HQ (9Mbps) 720×576/50i

Recommend Software Program:

Pavtube AVCHD to MOV Converter for Mac – A powerful application that can easily convert all AVCHD files from Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Olympus Camcorders to MOV for editing on iMovie, FCE, FCP, FCP X, Avid Media Composer with the least loss of original video quality. It works effortless and very fast to use and converts flawlessly. It not only can convert 1080p 60fps AVCHD files to iMovie/FCE friendly AIC codec but also provide some profile setting, edit fuctions etc. With it you can also convert AVCHD to other common format such as MP4, MKV, AVI, 3GP and so on. Welcome to download the free trial here and final purchase.

Guide – How to encode Sony NEX-FS100 1080 24p/60p .mts to AIC .mov for transferring iMovie or FCE editing on Mac OS X?

Step 1. Load Sony NEX-FS100 full HD videos to AVCHD to MOV Converter for Mac.

Use a card reader to copy and transfer the .mts files to iMac hard drive disk, run AVCHD to MOV Converter for Mac as the fast Mac Sony AVCHD Encoder, and click the “Add” button to load the .mts videos. You can also use the drag-and-drop method to load the 1080p .mts files to the application UI.

Step 2. Choose iMovie compatible MOV format.

Click “Format” column to choose “iMovie and Final Cut Express -> Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)” as the best output codec for encoding Sony FS100 footage to MOV on Mac. The professional Mac Sony AVCHD to MOV converter will transcode Sony NEX-FS100 AVCHD to iMovie/FCE compatible MOV with AIC as video codec.

Tip: You can click “settings” button in the main interface to customize the output video’s parameters, such as resolution, frame rate, etc.

Step 3. You can edit the MTS video before you convert Sony FS100 AVCHD to MOV with AIC codec on Mac. By clicking “” button, you can trim, crop the video, or add watermark and adjust effect to the videos which you will convert.

Trim – Choose to reserve the part you need. Just choose the chapter which you need to trim, to set “start time” or “end time”, type the portion which you want to save.

Crop – Remove black edges of your video or just get the scale of this video you want.

Effect – Adjust the effects by adjusting the parameters, such as:

1) Deinterlacing – If there are some stripes on the picture, you can check this option to make a better picture effect. (Checked by default)

2) 3D effect – Just enable this fuction and do settings:

PS:

If you want to to limit the size and length of the video, just press on “Split the selected task” in the main interface by specifying the clip quantity, duration time and file size to cut the selected video file into required video clips.

Step 4. Convert Sony NEX-FS100 AVCHD to MOV for iMovie or FCE.

Press “Convert” button under the preview window, and start transcode Sony NEX-FS100 1080 24p/60p MTS to AIC MOV for iMovie 8/9 will start immediately. The converter works great for have a batch of files in the queue for conversion.

Step 5. Load the encoded Sony AVCHD files to iMovie.

After the conversion, you will get excellent results with the output MOV videos in iMovie on Mac OS X. Create a project in iMovie and import videos for editing. You can trim video and audio clips, add captions and titles, add narration and transitions, and create scrolling credits for the end of the movie.

Tip: If you want to burn Sony FS100 AVCHD to DVD disc, view the guide “Burn AVCHD clips to DVD without loss of quality“.

Continue reading »]]> Summary: The article will help Sony camera fans to solve “How to import Sony CX730E/CX760/GW77V 1080 MTS files to Final Cut Express 4 for editing on Mac Mountain Lion 10.8 via a professional Mac MTS to FCE 4 Converter?”

What is Final Cut Express?

Final Cut Express is a non-linear video editing application created by Apple Inc. It is the consumer version of Final Cut Pro and is designed for advanced editing of digital video as well as high-definition video, which is used by many amateur and professional videographers. Final Cut Express is considered a “step” above iMovie in terms of capabilities, but a “step” underneath Final Cut Pro and its suite of applications. The latest version is Final Cut Express 4 which now supports the latest AVCHD cameras, features an open format Timeline, provides iMovie ’09 compatibility, and offers sophisticated effects and filters.

MTS files are video file extension produced by AVCHD camcorders like Sony CX350, Sony CX550, Sony CX160, Sony CX730, Sony CX760, Sony GW77V and Panasonic HDC-TM900/TM800/TM700 and HDC-HS900/HS800/HS700 etc. As these camcorders produce the video in MTS file format there you may find it difficult to play in other portable media. MTS video format is not preferred by FCP (X), FCE(4), iMovie(8/9), etc. You may find it difficult to transfer this MTS video. You need to convert MTS to AIC (Apple intermediate code) to view it on other portable media.

While, when they wanna import Sony CX350/CX550/CX160, Sony CX730, Sony CX760, Sony GW77V MTS to FCE 4 for editing on Mac Mountain Lion 10.8, most of them would encounter some annoying troubles. To help so many Sony Camera users resolve the troubles, we finally find the ultimate reason that the latest FCE 4 can import HD file AVCHD natively, but only on Intel Macs, not PowerPC Mac. Besides, FCE 4 will only handle AVCHD files when it finds them in their original file structure either by connecting the camcorder or using a memory card reader. If you are not Intel Macs users, or you have lost the original file structure of Sony CX730, Sony CX760, Sony GW77V 1080p MTS files, don’t worry. Here we recommend you the best Sony MTS to FCE 4 Converter – transcode MTS to FCE 4 compatible formats like AIC MOV, it can help you convert Sony CX730E 1920*1080p MTS to AIC MOV for FCE 4,  Sony CX760 1080p MTS to AIC MOV for FCE 4, Sony GW77V 1080p MTS to AIC MOV for FCE 4. So when you import Sony CX730, Sony CX760, Sony GW77V MTS to FCE 4 for editing, you will no longer have any more trouble.

Please follow its step-by-step instruction below to learn how to encode Sony MTS to AIC MOV for Final Cut Express 4 on Mac Mountain Lion 10.8.

Preparation for converting Sony CX730E/CX760/GW77V MTS to FCE 4:

1. Software: the best Mac Sony MTS to FCE Converter, Free download for trial version:

2. System requirement:

Mac OS X Leopard (10.5), Snow Leopard (10.6), Lion (10.7), Mountain Lion (10.8)

1G Hz or above PowerPC G4/G5 or Intel processor.

512 MB physical RAM (memory) or more

1024*768 or higher resolution display.

Step 1. Connect your Sony HDR-CX730E(or Sony CX760, Sony GW77V, Sony CX550 etc.) to Mac with USB2.0, ingest MTS/M2TS clips from CX730E, run Pavtube MTS Converter for Mac and add Sony 1080p .mts/.m2ts to it.

Step 2. Click on the “Format” and get the dropdown menu, then move you pointer to “iMovie and Final Cut Express” and choose “Apple Intermediate Codec(AIC) (*.mov)” format.

Step 3. Click the “Settings” icon and set bit rate, frame rate, sample rate and audio channel in the interface according to your needs.

Tip: You’d better set the video frame rate as 25fps, video size as 1920*1080 and keep 5.1 channels to keep the best quality for importing to FCE 4 or iMovie.

Step 4. Click the “Browse” button next to the Export to field and select a location on your HDD for the output video file.

Step 5. Click “” button, start convert Sony CX730E/CX760/GW77V MTS to AIC MOV on Mac Mountain Lion 10.8.

After conversion you can click the “Open” button to locate converted video files, and you can easily and smoothly copy Sony CX730E, Sony CX760, Sony GW77V AVCHD MTS to Final Cut Express 4 for editing on Mac.

If you want to know more about convert AVCHD MTS/M2TS files on Mac, please click MTS Column.

Continue reading »]]> As a professional multinational corporation that specializes in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, Canon has been manufacturing and distributing digital cameras since 1984, starting with the RC-701. The PowerShot series (known as IXUS series in Japan) was then launched after the RC series for photographers at any level. The PowerShot camera like SX 200IS produces MVI_.files which are not recognized by some video editing and DVD building programs, e.g. ArcSoft ShowBiz DVD 2 program for authoring DVD’s/home movies. In that case, users have to convert the MVI to AVI or WMV files so that the MVI movie clips taken with a PowerShot camera can be used seamlessly in the DVD program.

Canon also developed the EOS series of DSLR cameras (digital single-lens reflex cameras) which includes high-end professional models, such as the latest Canon 5D Mark III and Canon Rebel T4i (EOS 650D). Canon claims that the Canon EOS Camera System is the most complete Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera system in the world. Whether you are a beginner or advanced professional looking for a digital camera, the EOS System takes your photography to the next level. The EOS DSLR cameras usually shoot videos in H.264 MOV format, which is not a friendly format for most video editors. In order to generate suitable files for video editing software, you are strongly recommended to use Canon camera Video Converter to convert EOS MOV to Apple ProRes for Final Cut Pro 6/7 and FCP X, transcode H.264 MOV to AIC for iMovie and Final Cut Express, render MOV clips to DNxHD for Avid Media Composer and so on.

An additional product line new to Canon is Cinema EOS camera series. The launch of the Cinema EOS System marks Canon’s full-fledged entry into the digital high-resolution production industry. The EOS C300 camera records footage in .MXF format, which is a problematic file type either for playback or edit. Here comes Canon camera video converter again to handle these MXF clips. Simply select your MXF source material, choose the output format, and click Convert. The Canon MXF Converter will take care of the rest.

More than digital cameras and Cinema EOS cameras, Canon also produces consumer digital camcorders and professional camcorders. The consumer digital camcorders deliver superior image quality and performance and include models like VIXIA HF S10, VIXIA HF S100, and VIXIA HF100. These AVCHD camcorders in VIXIA series capture videos with .MTS and .M2TS file extensions. In attempting of adding Canon MTS shootings to an Android Tablet or Apple iPad for viewing, you can use a Canon MTS Converter to encode MTS to MP4. To import loose MTS clips out of its original file structure to iMovie or FCP for editing, you need change MTS to AIC or Apple ProRes.

As for professional camcorders, Canon XF-Series Professional Camcorders XF100, XF105, XF300 and XF305 are almost perfect. “Whether used as a companion to the XF305 or XF300, or as a stand-alone camcorder, the XF105 and XF100 are geared for a wide range of applications where high image quality, extreme portability and efficient workflow are of the utmost importance. And with true stereoscopic 3-D production and infrared recording capabilities, they allow users to expand into new markets,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. The XF Series professional camcorders record footage in .MXF format, if you are new to the format, you couldn’t realize that it would be so problematic to get the MXF video into computers without using the Canon software. Yes Canon does offer XF utility to help users import MXF footage to FCP 7 and other video editing programs, but this only comes with very limited success, because that piece of XF utility software only expects to see compact flash cards (CF cards) straight from the camcorder and doesn’t seem to work very well with folders on a HDD, not to mention separate MXF clips. Fortunately, the conversion formats generated by Canon Video Camera Converter (here works as a Canon MXF Converter) would fit with the following programs:

On Mac: Final Cut Pro (FCP 6/7, FCP X), Final Cut Express, iMovie, Avid Media Composer, iDVD, QuickTime, etc.

On Windows PC: Magix Movie, Avid Studio, Windows Movie Maker, Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere Pro, Premiere Elements, and more.

Definitely, there are a great many choices currently available in video cameras/camcorders, which one to choose is totally depending on one’s needs and budget. As for Canon Camera Video Converter, it will continue to have its place for both amateur film makers and professional videographers (Read more about Canon Camera File Transcode at Pavtube Canon Column).