Continue reading »]]> Q: “I recently bought a new Sony Alpha 57 camera. I use an iMac with iMovie for my videos. I shot some video on the AVCHD 60p format and cannot open in iMovie.

I am trying to convert the file to iMovie compatible format. But seems no software can read my videos, I am using the latest Mountain Lion, it’s that the problem?”

A: If you are using Mountain Lion, you need to pay attention to AVCHD files, as there is something changed on Mac 10.8. It shows AVCHD as a jpg not a folder, so many converters on the Market will not read the files due to structure changed. I am an older user of Pavtube MTS Converter for Mac, I just got update from Pavtube that they have added AVCHD support on Mac 10.8, you can download a trail version from below to give a try.

http://www.pavtube.com/mts-converter-mac/
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The Sony Alpha A57 SLR Digital AVCHD Camera with innovative Translucent Mirror Technology. With a 16.1MP APS-C Exmor HD CMOS sensor, directs incoming light to the CMOS image sensor and the AF sensor at the same time, allowing full-time continuous AF during both still and video shooting. Thus, you can sharpness when recording full HD 1080p video or photographing at up to 12 fps. If you want import and edit Sony Alpha A57 1080p file in iMovie and solve some trouble about incompatible format on your Mac, the professional MTS Converter for Mac is the best choice for you, which is also proved to be compatible with Mac OS Mountain Lion. It can not only transcode A57 AVCHD files to AIC for iMovie, but also provide you with some simple editing features, such as merging several videos into one file, deinterlacing the original footages, cropping video size, trimming video clips, adding special effects and text/image/video watermarks to output videos, thus it will be on the top of your list.

The best MTS/M2TS to iMovie Converter review from a User: I have been very satisfied with the conversion performance. I usually just get it set up with a large batch and let it run over night. The next day all of my files are ready to go. Bellow is the user steps sharing, please follow it.

First Free Download AVCHD to iMovie Converter for Mac

Step 1. Load 1080p MTS/M2TS files from Sony A57 to the professional AVCHD to iMovie Converter for Mac.

Connect the Sony Alpha SLT-A57 to your Apple with USB 2.0. Launch AVCHD to iMovie Converter for Mac and then click the “Add video” button to import your Sony A57 1080p MTS/M2TS files. You can tick the box in front of the file you want to convert. If your MTS/M2TS files have already been transferred to your Apple hard drive, you can easily drag them to the best Mac AVCHD to iMovie Converter.

Tips:
1. If you have multiple 1080p MTS/M2TS files, you can select the “Merge into one file” box to merge them into one single file for iMovie so that you can play these files without interruption.

2. Double click the selected file and you cam preview it.

Step 2: Select an output format for iMovie and set the output folder.

Click on the “Format” and you will get a dropdown menu. Move you pointer to “iMovie and Final Cut Express > Apple Intermediate Codec(AIC) (*.mov)”. The Apple Intermediate Codec(AIC) is the compatible format for iMovie and FCE. Then you can set the output folder by clicking “Browse” icon as you need.

Step 3: Click on the “Settings” icon to adjust audio and video parameters.

Click the “Settings” icon and you will go into a new interface named “Profile Settings”. You can adjust codec, bit rate, frame rate, sample rate and audio channel in the interface according to your needs and optimize the output file quality.

Tips:

1. 1920*1080 as video size and 30fps/29.97fps as video bitrate are the most suitable video parameters for editing in iMovie.

2. If you want to reduce the video size, you can change video size from 1920*1080 to 1440*1080 or 1280*720.

3. Deinterlacing has been chosen as default, so you needn’t worry about how to deinterlace 1080i videos.

Step 4. Transcode Sony A57 AVCHD MTS files to AIC for iMovie with 30fps and 5.1 channels on Mac.

Click the “Convert” button, start convert Sony A57 1080p MTS files to AIC on Mac immediately. You can find the process in the “Conversion” interface.

Step 5: When the Mac AVCHD to iMovie conversion is 100% completed, open “iMovie” and click “File > Import” to transfer the converted Sony A57 MTS footages to iMovie.

The best AVCHD to iMovie Converter for Mac is not only helpful to get footages from Sony A55 into iMovie on Mac, but also does a great job in converting AVCHD to ProRes 422 for FCP, MPEG-2 for Adobe Premiere Pro, DNxHD for Avid Media Composer, AIC for FCE, etc.

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 »]]> 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

……

Continue reading »]]> Summary: Pavtube Mac MTS Converter for iMovie – a prfessional MTS to AIC Codec Transcoder is the ideal tool to transcode Sony Handycam HDR-CX200 recording AVCHD MTS to iMovie compatibly format Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC).

Sony Handycam HDR-CX200 specs: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/sony-handycam-hdr-cx200/4507-6500_7-35127841.html

If you have a Sony Handycam HDR-CX200 camcorder and use it to record some of the MTS videos as the memory, then edit HDR-CX200 1080/60i AVCHD MTS in iMovie on Mac to get better effect, share the memory with with your friends and families, but worse, when you intend to import the 1080/60i AVCHD to iMovie on Mac, you will depressedly find that iMovie cannot ingest 1080/60i AVCHD MTS from Sony CX200 camera, the reason that the MPEG-4/H.264 is a compatible codec for playback but not so good for editing with iMovie. Thus, how to import Sony HDR-CX200 1080/60i AVCHD MTS to iMovie on Mac for editing successfully and easily?

In fact, the best compatible video format for iMovie is MOV in AIC (Apple InterMediate Codec) while the Sony CX200 recording is H.264 MTS, M2TS format. That means we need to transcode CX200 1080i MTS recordings to AIC for iMovie on Mac Mountain Lion via an easy-to-use and professional  Mac MTS Converter for iMovie is vital in solving the incompatibility problem. I believe Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter for Mac is the best choice for you. Which not only can transcode Sony MTS clips to iMovie with original quality, also can deinterlace the 1080i files to make it more smoothier on HDTV and iMovie, split long clip for easy uploading to YouTube, Vimeo etc., repalce the orginal audio in added MTS files, etc. So, the top MTS Converter for iMovie is your best choice. It is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Now the conversion starts with…

1. Connect the Sony Handycam HDR-CX200 to your Apple with USB2.0. Download and run Pavtube Mac AVCHD Converter for iMovie. Click “add” to load your MTS videos to the top MTS to iMovie Converter for Mac. If your MTS files have already been transferred to your Apple hard drive, you can easily drag them to the best Mac MTS to AIC Converter.

Tip: If you have multiple Sony CX200 1080/60i MTS clips, you can select the “Merge into one” box to merge/combine the Sony CX200 MTS clips into one file for iMovie, so that you can play these files without interruption.

2. Select the best output format for iMovie and set the output folder.
Click “Format” and you will get a dropdown menu. Move you pointer to “iMovie and Final Cut Express > Apple Intermediate Codec(AIC) (*.mov)”. The AIC is the compatible format for you to copy Sony 1080/60i MTS to iMovie on Mac Mountain Lion. Then you can set the output folder by clicking “Browse” icon as you need.

3. Click the “Convert” button to start Convert CX200 1080/60i AVCHD MTS to AIC for iMovie with 5.1 channels on Mac immediately.

After conversion, you can upload Sony MTS videos to YouTube, Vimeo etc., you can also stream the AVCHD videos to your friends and families for sharing. As long as you want, you can also do the more you want to do.

Tip 1: The professional Mac MTS Converter for iMovie is the best application for Sony CX series users for the reason, that it not only can convert AVCHD MTS files to iMovie, but also can transcode Sony CX200 MTS to FCP or FCE.

Tip 2: Pavtube Mac AVCHD Converter for iMovie is offering a discount now – 20% OFF, if you are interested in purchasing, never miss the chance.