Need Help with .MTS Conversion for FCP

Hey everyone,

I have a bunch of .MTS files from a digital video camera that I am trying to convert into any files that will work with FCP. Once they are in FCP, I want to convert them to the Apple ProRes 422 NTSC codec and then start editing. My problem is when I try and convert the .MTS files into MOV or AVI files (which I can open in FCP), the video is coming out a bit distorted. I guess the best way to describe it is that it's a little "ghosty." Not completely unwatchable, but I need clear footage as this is for someone who is playing it at a tradeshow and it needs to look professional. The converter I'm using to convert the files from .MTS is Amersoft Total Media Converter. The distortion is seen both before and after I convert to the ApplePro codec.

I am able to open the .MTS files with my toast video player. When I view the files on here, the footage looks great. Here are the specs for the MTS file when I ask for the Stream Info from my Toast Video Player:
Video: H.264
1440 X1080
29.97fps
Audio: Dolby Digital, 48 kHz

Here are the specs when I place the converted MOV file on the timeline (this is before I convert it to the Apple ProRes codec). I am using FCP Version 6.0.6 so when I place it in the timeline, it asks me if I want to convert the timeline to the type of file it is. I say yes when it asks me this. Here are the sequence settings:
Size: 320 X 240
Aspect Ratio- Multimedia Large (4:3)
Pixel Aspect Ratio: Square
Field Dominance: None
Editing Timebase: 29.97
Quicktime Video Settings:
Compressor: MPEG-4 Video

Here are the specs of the clip when it is on the timeline.
Type: Clip
Creator: Quicktime Player
Vid Rate: 29.97 fps
Frame Size: 320 X 240
Compressor MPEG-4 Video
Data Rate: 218.5 K/sec
Pizel Aspect: Square

Any help on what is going wrong with my conversion would be greatly appreciated. Let me know if you need additional specs/info.

Thanks so much!

Andrea

Pretty much everything has gone wrong. I don't know anything about the Amersoft Total Media Converter, but it looks like it's converting everything into some web format.

See if this works for you

[www.clipwrap.com]

Tom, ClipWrap seems great for rewrapping HDV content that is originally bundled in an MTS container, but its no good for AVCHD footage which this appears to be according to the source clip specs ... apparently CiipWrap 2 is what we're waiting for on that front?

Andrea, as you seem to already have it there, why not just use Toast to convert the source files directly to ProRes? I don't use it personally but I've seen many posters recommend it for exactly this purpose.

Hope it helps
Andy

Maybe I missed something in your post - but did you try simply using log and transfer within Final Cut Pro? if not how about Mpeg Streamclip?

My Canon HF10 stream files are .MTS and I either Log and Transfer in FCP from the camera or SD HC card and convert to ProRes.

------------------------
Dean

"When I see you floating down the gutter I'll give you a bottle of wine."
Captain Beefheart, Trout Mask Replica.

Same here -- although I'm not sure Log and Transfer works if you don't have all the underlying files that go along with the .mts files - may be wrong about that.

PS the HVS10 is an amazing camera for it's size

MTS stands for "MPEG-2 Transport Stream," which is a container format in sort of the same way that Quicktime is a container format. The bad news is that MPEG-2 transport streams can contain more than one kind of media data. HDV that's recorded to transport-stream format contains MPEG-2 picture data; AVCHD contains MPEG-4 picture data. So an "MTS" is not the same as any other "MTS."

Try Voltaic:

http://www.shedworx.com/voltaichd

MTS to AVI Converer can convert for you. It is a competent converter that can convert mts to avi and mov files with fast speed and high output quality.
[www.mymtsconverter.com]

Andy Mees,

I am using clipwrap v2.1 NOW to convert AVCHD. You get field distortion about 3% of the time but its so fast that its not a problem re-wraping. I have voltiac too but its speed is like molasses in comparison to clipwrap.
Is there a quality difference? not sure, but i like what i get.

""" What you do with what you have, is more important than what you could do, with what you don't have."

> > > Knowledge + Action = Wisdom - J. Corbett 1992 """"

J.Corbett,

Quote

You get field distortion about 3% of the time but its so fast that its not a problem re-wraping.

What did you mean by field distortion?

I have Toast 10 already or I can use Log and Transfer. I could buy Clipwrap if it did a better job. I've read mixed thoughts on all 3 methods of getting .MTS files into FCP. Any more thoughts on the cleanest method?

Thanks,
Dave

Clipwrap does a very nice job. It is rather fast and clean. Those distortions are not abundant and for the speed and quality, I can live with it.

I believe what clipwrap does differently is rewrap instead of convert or compress the file. Less compression cleaner results.

Voltiac is ssSLOWww but good results.
Log and transfer seems to be one of the slowest ways to do it.
I haven't used toast since i escaped from the PC.

Clipwrap was recommended to me by strypes and he is a compression specialist from what i understand.

I also added an automator workflow that gets the clips > renames and opens Clipwrap so its real easy. I haven't figured out how to get it to load the clips into clipwrap, it just opens it.

""" What you do with what you have, is more important than what you could do, with what you don't have."

> > > Knowledge + Action = Wisdom - J. Corbett 1992 """"