MTS conversion and system resources question

Kell Smith · June 11th, 2012, 09:27 PM

THanks all. I decided that if I have to do that, it's probably pushing the MB too hard, so I just let him know I can't work with his files until I am upgraded.
And it seemed like even if the G5 would have converted them, or for that matter the Macbook, it would take eons to do, and I would be tying up my machines for like ten hours to convert these files. So it just didn't make sense time-wise.
Even when I am upgraded to a Macbook Pro, am I still going to run into these obscene conversion times with certain formats? Or can the newer versions of FCP edit most things natively?
Thanks everyone for your help and feedback.

Eric Olson · June 12th, 2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kell Smith

Even when I am upgraded to a Macbook Pro, am I still going to run into these obscene conversion times with certain formats? Or can the newer versions of FCP edit most things natively?

High definition MTS files take significant computer resources. Unless your editing station needs to be portable don't use a notebook computer.

Kell Smith · June 12th, 2012, 05:17 PM

What would you recommend in terms of necessary resources?
Also, how common are these now> And what programs edit them natively? Or is it more customary to convert them to DVC Pro.Pro Res,etc?
Also, does anyone know how much conversion, say in Streamclip, taxes the system? My guess would be that it's not as resource-heavy as editing, but I'm not sure. How much beef does the system need to have to do conversion vs. editing?

Eric Olson · June 14th, 2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kell Smith

How much beef does the system need to have to do conversion vs. editing?

A computer needs to run continuously at 100% CPU to convert or render edited video. This means sufficient power supply and cooling. A new notebook may not fully meet these requirements and the problem often gets worse as components age. I would recommend placing your notebook on a cooling pad and removing the battery so the battery doesn't get damaged from excess heat.

Whether you edit .mts files natively or convert them before editing is a matter of software design and the complexity of the editing task. An intermediate format often results in better performance and reliability. Most FCP users convert upon import to AIC or ProRes. If you are producing a DVD, you can achieve better performance by downconverting to SD before editing.

Dave Farrants · June 15th, 2012, 05:42 AM

Can't see anywhere what OS and FCP versions you're running on the MBP, but I did come across this recently:

https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/pro...pt/agree_e.htm

It needs SL or better and FCP7.0.3 but once installed it allows DIRECT import of MTS files to FCP. Panasonic say they don't guarantee it'll work with anything other than Panny MTS files but I installed it and successfully imported Sony MTS files direct into FCP 7.0.3. Editing might be slow as FCP works better with ProRes, but for a quick cut without any heavy effects it'll do the job.

Peter Kerr · June 28th, 2012, 04:55 PM

This is probably not an answer the OP would welcome, but I transfer/convert MTS from my AVCHD sony handycam to a netbook using the command line (Terminal) version of ffmpeg. It copies and rewraps the data at roughly SDHC -> disk read/write speed. The resulting .mov files are instantly accepted by all Quicktime based apps I have tested, but I imagine FCP would upconvert to HDV in its import procedure.

Eric Olson · June 28th, 2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Kerr

I transfer/convert MTS from my AVCHD sony handycam to a netbook using the command line (Terminal) version of ffmpeg. It copies and rewraps the data at roughly SDHC -> disk read/write speed. The resulting .mov files are instantly accepted by all Quicktime based apps I have tested

Interesting! Would you mind posting the exact ffmpeg command line that you use?

Peter Kerr · June 29th, 2012, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Olson

Interesting! Would you mind posting the exact ffmpeg command line that you use?

ffmpeg -i path/to/input/file.MTS -vcodec copy -acodec copy path/to/output/file.mov

This will also rewrap to output file.m4v or file.mp4, but some apps will complain about an invalid sample description in the mp4.

June 11th, 2012, 09:27 PM	#16
Kell Smith Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 436	Re: MTS conversion and system resources question THanks all. I decided that if I have to do that, it's probably pushing the MB too hard, so I just let him know I can't work with his files until I am upgraded. And it seemed like even if the G5 would have converted them, or for that matter the Macbook, it would take eons to do, and I would be tying up my machines for like ten hours to convert these files. So it just didn't make sense time-wise. Even when I am upgraded to a Macbook Pro, am I still going to run into these obscene conversion times with certain formats? Or can the newer versions of FCP edit most things natively? Thanks everyone for your help and feedback.

June 12th, 2012, 05:17 PM	#18
Kell Smith Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 436	Re: MTS conversion and system resources question What would you recommend in terms of necessary resources? Also, how common are these now> And what programs edit them natively? Or is it more customary to convert them to DVC Pro.Pro Res,etc? Also, does anyone know how much conversion, say in Streamclip, taxes the system? My guess would be that it's not as resource-heavy as editing, but I'm not sure. How much beef does the system need to have to do conversion vs. editing? Last edited by Kell Smith; June 12th, 2012 at 06:49 PM.

June 15th, 2012, 05:42 AM	#20
Dave Farrants Major Player Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Gloucs, UK Posts: 215	Re: MTS conversion and system resources question Can't see anywhere what OS and FCP versions you're running on the MBP, but I did come across this recently: https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/pro...pt/agree_e.htm It needs SL or better and FCP7.0.3 but once installed it allows DIRECT import of MTS files to FCP. Panasonic say they don't guarantee it'll work with anything other than Panny MTS files but I installed it and successfully imported Sony MTS files direct into FCP 7.0.3. Editing might be slow as FCP works better with ProRes, but for a quick cut without any heavy effects it'll do the job. Last edited by Dave Farrants; June 15th, 2012 at 06:13 AM.

June 28th, 2012, 04:55 PM	#21
Peter Kerr Tourist Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 3	Re: MTS conversion and system resources question This is probably not an answer the OP would welcome, but I transfer/convert MTS from my AVCHD sony handycam to a netbook using the command line (Terminal) version of ffmpeg. It copies and rewraps the data at roughly SDHC -> disk read/write speed. The resulting .mov files are instantly accepted by all Quicktime based apps I have tested, but I imagine FCP would upconvert to HDV in its import procedure.