Editing HD AVCHD with FCP Express 4

I just upgraded to Final Cut Express 4 so that I can work with HD AVCHD files.
Unfortunately I have been unsuccessful. I get a WARNING indicating that: AVCHD Media is not supported on PowerPC based hardware.

This is my current Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: iMac G5
Machine Model: PowerMac8,2
CPU Type: PowerPC G5 (3.1)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 2 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1.5 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 5.2.5f1

ATI Radeon 9600:
Chipset Model: ATY,RV351
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
Slot: AGP
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x4150
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-xxxxx-117
Displays:
iMac:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Depth: 32-bit Color
Built-In: Yes
Core Image: Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Display:
Status: No display connected

It appears that I have everything necessary to and/or the equivalent to support HD AVCHD files except for an additional 500 GB to meet the 2GB recommendation.

What else will I need to upgrade in order to edit HD AVCHD files?

Thanks.

John Alarid

Toast 9 to convert to Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC). Because your computer cannot convert it using FCP...only if you had an Intel Mac and FCP 6 or FCE 4.


www.shanerosseditor.com

Listen to THE EDIT BAY Podcast on iTunes
[itunes.apple.com]

Thanks, Shane.

So what are you saying is that I need to either purchase Toast 9 or purchase a new Intel I-Mac. Correct? Again, thanks.

Yup. And Toast 9 is the cheaper option at under $100.


www.shanerosseditor.com

Listen to THE EDIT BAY Podcast on iTunes
[itunes.apple.com]

Thanks.
I check it out.
Which DVD Blu-Ray Burner do you recommend works best with my I-Mac.
Again, thanks.

John Alarid

You could check this out too.

[shedworx.com]



www.strypesinpost.com

Shane,

I invested in Toast 9 plus the HD/BD Plug in.
I finally was to burn a DVD of some of my AVCHD Media files.
The playback was so-so. It was jiggery and had many audio drop outs.
I will burn again and use the "Good" setting instead of the "Better" quality setting.
After doing all of this, now how do I get my AVCHD video on my FCE 4 on my editing time line?
Thanks.

John

Did you convert the media to the Apple Intermediate Codec? If you did, you import the files into FCE and edit it as normal.

No, I didn't.
How do I convert them to Apple Intermediate Codec?
Thanks.

We don't need multiple threads with the same question. In Shane's first message he suggested you use Toast 9 to convert the material to the Apple Intermediate Codec. You apparently burned a DVD. This is not converting the material to the Apple Intermediate Codec.

I don't have Toast 9, but I assume from Shane's response that that there is a way to use it to convert media. That's what you need to do.

Thanks.
I guess I'm retarded.
I'm getting there slowly, but surely.
JA