Is there any reason not to edit MTS files directly? I didn't think editing them directly was an option in the past with my old system, but now with Premiere Pro CC I am able to take MTS files directly off the camcorder using Adobe Prelude and edit them. Previously I would transfer them in FCE to MOV files before editing. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm using an XA10 and a XA20.

For most users, the main reason to convert a MTS file to some other format for editing is if their NLE system (S/W and H/W) has difficulty working with MTS files or did not support them. Also, some older NLEs and underpowered system did have difficulty and no or limited real time editing. Especially if the edit has many tracks/layers, filters, and effects. In these cases conversion to a format more native to the NLE helps.

However, there may be some workflows where conversion to another format would be appropriate, especially if that minimizes repeated transcoding or compression cycles. In this case conversion to a lossless format may be in order.

I use Edius Pro, no problem.

Awesome. Thanks for the reply Don. I guess I start trying to edit the MTS files and see if my system can handle it.

After doing more research, I may start trans coding to Pro Res 422 HQ from adobe prelude since I am on a Mac. (I will need to purchase the apple compressor 4 to obtain the codec)