Continue reading »]]> AVCHD was jointly developed by Sony and Panasonic in 2006, it is a high definition (HD) digital video camera recorder format recording 1080i and 720p signals onto MiniDVD discs, MiniDV tape, Hard Drive, and digital camera Memory Cards, by using advanced Video Coding (AVC) compression (also known as MPEG-4 part 10 or H.264) to achieve high-quality images and low data rates. AVCHD camcorders record on a variety of file-based media, including 80 mm DVDs, hard disks, and flash memory (such as Secure Digital cards and memory sticks).

The AVCHD specification allows most SD and HD dimensions and frame rates, though each camcorder usually supports only a few formats. The AVCHD color sample ratio is 4:2:0, with 8 bits per sample. Audio can be recorded in 5.1-channel surround sound with Dolby Digital (AC-3) compression or up to 7.1-channel surround sound (uncompressed). Some camcorders, such as the Panasonic HDC-SD5 camcorder, use a two-channel built-in microphone.

New trademarks:

The AVCHD Format has been updated to Version 2.0 by adding new specifications for 3D and 1080/60p,50p. New trademarks; “AVCHD 3D”, “AVCHD Progressive” and “AVCHD 3D/Progressive” are introduced.

Resolution of AVCHD:

1920 x 1080: This format is sometimes called Full HD because it contains the full 1920 horizontal pixels of the 1080-line HD format.

1440 x 1080: This is a horizontally subsampled image with 1080 lines.

1280 x 720: This is a full-resolution 720p format.

Tips: The SD AVCHD formats are not supported by iMovie, Final Cut Express, Adobe Premiere Pro, ect.

The best codec for Final Cut Express and iMovie is AIC MOV format, therefore, if you plan to edit AVCHD in iMovie or Final Cut Express, it is a good idea for you to convert AVCHD to AIC MOV. Then, you will need to a AVCHD to AIC Converter to convert AVCHD to AIC MOV for importing AVCHD to iMovie or Final Cut Express.
Requriements:

Instructions:

Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter for Mac is an ideal application that can work smoothly with Final Cut Express, iMovie, convert AVCHD to AIC MOV files native supported by iMovie/FCE on Mac Mountain Lion (10.8), Mac OS X Lion (10.7), Snow Leopard (10.6), Leopard (10.5).

Step 1. Import AVCHD files to the program.

Install and run Mac AVCHD to AIC converter. Click “File” menu, choose “Add Video” to locate the AVCHD files you want to add.

Step 2. Select Apple InterMediate Codec(AIC)(*.mov) format for Final Cut Express or iMovie best output format.
Click “Format” bar and and set a AIC friendly codec in dropdown-list. You are advised to follow “iMovie and Final Cur Express > Apple InterMediate Codec(AIC)(*.mov) as best video format for iMovie or FCE.

Step 3. Set possible best quality for Final Cut Express or iMovie editing.

Click the “Settings” button and customize proper video/ audio parameters if necessary. Video size, Bitrate and Frame Rate are flexible and can be adjusted as you like. E.g. Set video size to 1920*1080 when you feel like to keep 1080p as the source file features. Or set “original” in video bitrate drop-down list to keep best quality. You may skip this step as well as default format works well with FCE or iMovie too.

Step 4. Convert AVCHD to AIC MOV for FCE or iMovie workflow on Mac.
Press “” icon, let this smart AVCHD to AIC Converter for Mac to do the rest for you! This avchd converter is specifically designed for Mac users, including Mac Mountain Lion 10.8, Mac OS X Lion 10.7, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, etc.

When the conversion is done, you can import the output files to iMovie and FCE without any trouble. Congratulations! You have successfully taken the first step to make your own masterpiece.

Now, start to create your masterpiece in iMovie and Final Cut Express!

Easy to use and very powerful.

Most popular AVHCD Camcorders:

Sony Handycam HDR-CX190 Camcorder: January 2012 – Sony – FullHD 1080p – HD 1080i – AVCHD – MPEG-2 – 1.5 megapixel sensor – Night Vision – USB – HDMI – Composite – 25 x optical zoom – Automatic Focus – Manual Focus – Image Stabilizing – 5.9 ounce

Sony Handycam HDR-XR260V Camcorder: January 2012 – Sony – FullHD 1080p – AVCHD – MPEG-2 – Hard Drive – 5.4 megapixel sensor – Night Vision – USB – HDMI – Composite – 30 x optical zoom – Automatic Focus – Manual Focus – Image Stabilizing – 7.2 ounce

Panasonic HDC-TM900 Camcorder: February 2011 – Panasonic – FullHD 1080p – AVCHD – 3 megapixel sensor – Night Vision – USB – HDMI – Composite – Component – 12 x optical zoom – Automatic Focus – Manual Focus – Image Stabilizing – 13.9 ounce

Canon XA10 Camcorder: March 2011 – Canon – FullHD 1080p – AVCHD – 2.4 megapixel sensor – Night Vision – USB – XLR – HDMI – Composite – Component – 10 x optical zoom – Automatic Focus – Manual Focus – Image Stabilizing – 1.7 pound

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