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Convert avchd .mts to .mov?

Kawowski said:
simsaladimbamba: Since this topic comes up a lot and searching does not seem to be successful, here is a little guide on how to transcode .MTS files into .MOV files.
​
Dude, you abide! Helped me get some troubled AVCHD off of an SD Card, I now have both clips in big fat Pro Res 422 HQ with audio, after following this process and customising my own finish to it.

The ProRes files that I created initially from the .MTS files had no audio, but I was able to extract m4a files from the .m4v files, convert that to AIFF and then add to my ProRes files in QUicktime 7.

(Note: The audio is only being used as a guide as I recorded separate audio on a Zoom H4N, but the audio went straight into sync).

Thanks so much!!!
Click to expand...

Glad to have helped, but just for confirmation, did you use the A52 Codec for Mac I linked to at the bottom of the post the guide resides in (under "Additional Info")? If not, it would explain the audio issue, but if you used, it might have to add more information to the guide.
 
Cox Orange said:
I found two other apps which run under PPC and Intel, but am not sure what to think of it. http://download.cnet.com/RewrapAVCHD/3000-2194_4-75570723.html and http://download.cnet.com/Free-MTS-M2TS-Converter-Mac/3000-2194_4-75718372.html?tag=mncol;1
Click to expand...

I gave both a try.

First states it can't be installed on this computer (although cnet states, that it is for PPC 10.5.8).

Second one opens the window and wants one to check, whether you want the resulting m4v file to be directly opened. Then you click "rewrap" and you have to choose your source file, then you get a non progressing bar (with stripes) and a "ping". Nothing more, no m4v file to be found anywhere.
 
If you're comfortable with the command line in Terminal, you can convert AVCHD MTS files to MOV with just one command. You need ffmpeg installed manually or via Macports.

Here's what I use:
Code: 
ffmpeg -i [B]inputfile.mts[/B] -vcodec copy -acodec pcm_s16le -ac 2 [B]outputfile.mov[/B]

This will rewrap MTS to MOV without any video transcoding so it's pretty fast. It will transcode the audio from Dolby AC3 to stereo PCM so you can import the MOV file into iMovie.
 
I'm having trouble converting my .MTS files using the re wrapper, I downloaded it as well as clip grabber and when I put one of my .MTS files on top of it, it does make a .MTS.m4v file. However, when i try to open it using MPEG StreamClip, it says video is too small. And if I take a look at the .MTS.m4v, it says it is zero kilobytes in size. Also when I put my .MTS files onto the rewrapper, it says "The application ffmpeg quit unexpectedly". I had downloaded some file converter program a long time ago called "ffmpegX", does it have something to do with that?

Help would be greatly appreciated, as I have to start editing my video which is due this Wednesday and worth 30% of my mark!
 
Niloc94 said:
I'm having trouble converting my .MTS files using the re wrapper, I downloaded it as well as clip grabber and when I put one of my .MTS files on top of it, it does make a .MTS.m4v file. However, when i try to open it using MPEG StreamClip, it says video is too small. And if I take a look at the .MTS.m4v, it says it is zero kilobytes in size. Also when I put my .MTS files onto the rewrapper, it says "The application ffmpeg quit unexpectedly". I had downloaded some file converter program a long time ago called "ffmpegX", does it have something to do with that?

Help would be greatly appreciated, as I have to start editing my video which is due this Wednesday and worth 30% of my mark!
Click to expand...

Did you try the Small tool to convert video containers without reencoding yet?

In order to find out, what may be wrong with your MTS video, you can use the following three applications to analyse a sample video file.
When done, you can use the "Report" (VideoSpec) and "Export" (Media Inspector) button to export a report,
attachable to your next post via the
2012_02_MR_attachbutton.png
button.
In MediaInfo you have to go to the Menu Bar, select View > Text and copy the text via CMD+A > CMD+C and paste it via CMD+V into your next post.​
 
I tried downloading that other small tool to convert video containers thing, but it it says something about not being compatible with my version of OSX and I need to update. I did download VideoSpec and here is my result.

In that link you sent me, it said this "This is a very simple task for the command line tool "ffmpeg", but people are often afraid to use the Terminal." Is there a way to fix this by using terminal? Is it complicated? Or is my only option now to update to Lion or whatever the current one is?
 

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Niloc94 said:
I tried downloading that other small tool to convert video containers thing, but it it says something about not being compatible with my version of OSX and I need to update. I did download VideoSpec and here is my result.

In that link you sent me, it said this "This is a very simple task for the command line tool "ffmpeg", but people are often afraid to use the Terminal." Is there a way to fix this by using terminal? Is it complicated? Or is my only option now to update to Lion or whatever the current one is?
Click to expand...

What Mac OS X version do you have and what Mac do you use?
The tool I linked to from floh is requiring Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard at least, thus I guess you have Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
And normally one can use ffmpegX and Terminal to do such stuff, but I am not that good at those tools to help.

If you still have problems, and you can upload the files to a DropBox account or any other file hosting service, I can offer you to do the conversion (it is a rather quick process with functioning tools) and upload them myself.

I can offer it for 2 to 3 GB of data, more might be complicated.

If you want to do so, we should use PMs for further communication, but that means you would need five posts. As you currently have only two now, you need three more, one in this thread as reply, one here maybe and maybe one here or here.
 
Thanks so much for all the help! There's one last thing I'll try with FFmpegX, there's certain components that need to be updated, but I think I may have tried doing that long ago and it didnt work. If not I guess I'll have to upload them on DropBox as you suggest, but I'd rather try to do this myself, so as not to bother you. This will also be my 5th post, so I'll PM you from now on.
 
Niloc94 said:
Thanks so much for all the help! There's one last thing I'll try with FFmpegX, there's certain components that need to be updated, but I think I may have tried doing that long ago and it didnt work. If not I guess I'll have to upload them on DropBox as you suggest, but I'd rather try to do this myself, so as not to bother you. This will also be my 5th post, so I'll PM you from now on.
Click to expand...

I only meant to use PM in order to communicate the transfer of files, for further troubleshooting please use this thread, in order to not clog up our inboxes and to help others.

Again, what Mac and Mac OS X version do you use?
 
My version is 10.5.8. Would you recommend updating to Snow Leopard at the least? It might be easier that way, but at the same time I've never updated before and knowing me I'd run into a bunch of other problems. If I were to update to the latest version, there's a free app in the Mac store that converts .MTS files which might be the easiest thing to do (but my mac needs to be updated to 10.7), but I recall reading that lots of people were unhappy with Lion and it was making their computer slow, things weren't working, etc. so I'd be a little uneasy about updating.
 
Niloc94 said:
My version is 10.5.8. Would you recommend updating to Snow Leopard at the least? It might be easier that way, but at the same time I've never updated before and knowing me I'd run into a bunch of other problems. If I were to update to the latest version, there's a free app in the Mac store that converts .MTS files which might be the easiest thing to do (but my mac needs to be updated to 10.7), but I recall reading that lots of people were unhappy with Lion and it was making their computer slow, things weren't working, etc. so I'd be a little uneasy about updating.
Click to expand...

It depend on what Mac you have and how much RAM it has. As for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, it is not available anymore, you can only buy OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion now or get the Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Upgrade DVD for 19 USD from the Apple Online Store.
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is a fine OS and I still use it since day one of its release.
If you have Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, the method I posted in this thread, and the tool I linked to a bit earlier, should work just fine.

And upgrading from Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is an easy process, just pop in the DVD, follow the on screen instructions and let it work for half an hour. After that run Software Update and get all the available updates.

But make a backup via Time Machine or CarbonCopyCloner (version 3.4.7 is still free) or SuperDuper! before upgrading, as you should always backup anyway.
 
simsaladimbamba said:
It depend on what Mac you have and how much RAM it has. As for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, it is not available anymore, you can only buy OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion now or get the Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Upgrade DVD for 19 USD from the Apple Online Store.
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is a fine OS and I still use it since day one of its release.
If you have Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, the method I posted in this thread, and the tool I linked to a bit earlier, should work just fine.

And upgrading from Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard to Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is an easy process, just pop in the DVD, follow the on screen instructions and let it work for half an hour. After that run Software Update and get all the available updates.

But make a backup via Time Machine or CarbonCopyCloner (version 3.4.7 is still free) or SuperDuper! before upgrading, as you should always backup anyway.
Click to expand...

I have been using a Canon HV20 for for some years. As far as archiving, I gave up long ago and basically use the tapes as archive. When I want to share these family vids with extended family, I use iMovie, deal with the expansive file, edit, then share by using iDVD. Then I delete the files from my Glyph ext drive to save space.

I would now like to expand my music production (audio) to include video. I would like to shoot music vids of educational value and demonstrative purposes for uploading to YouTube. I asked for online advice, and many suggested Adobe Premiere Elements 11 instead of iMovie 11. I was able to get copy for $60, so I tried it. While it does import the mpeg1 files from the HV20 without converting, I wind up with one large 1 hour clip. The windows version evidently provides for separating clips, but not the mac.

So after extensive research, I found your numerous posts. I have to say, along with many others, Thank you!!!!!! I've learned quite a bit from your posts.

If you would like to spare the time, please advise me from this point of view.
Assume that I am starting from point zero. What DSLR or camcorder would you recommend to shoot music performance vids (not concerts-just teacher lessons and product demonstrations-video recorder on a tripod, no zooming- and perhaps an ext mic for better audio quality)? In as high a quality as possible for upload to YouTube and DVD production? I've gotten suggestions including Panasonic's Lumix series, Canon's T4i, and various Canon and Sony camcorders. Am I looking to shoot AVCHD? MPEG-4?

And in terms of editors, I now have iMovie 11, Premiere Elements 11 for mac, but I could get my hands on FCP X, or Media Composer 6.5 with my educator's discount.

I do a lot of audio production, right on up to ddp and cd production. I have a quick and effective workflow that yields high quality results. I'd like to expand into the video side. But I've been stumped. I'm learning, but still haven't gotten the train on the tracks, so to speak.

Thanks again!!

Tim
 
TimothyJohn said:
I have been using a Canon HV20 for for some years. As far as archiving, I gave up long ago and basically use the tapes as archive. When I want to share these family vids with extended family, I use iMovie, deal with the expansive file, edit, then share by using iDVD. Then I delete the files from my Glyph ext drive to save space.

I would now like to expand my music production (audio) to include video. I would like to shoot music vids of educational value and demonstrative purposes for uploading to YouTube. I asked for online advice, and many suggested Adobe Premiere Elements 11 instead of iMovie 11. I was able to get copy for $60, so I tried it. While it does import the mpeg1 files from the HV20 without converting, I wind up with one large 1 hour clip. The windows version evidently provides for separating clips, but not the mac.

So after extensive research, I found your numerous posts. I have to say, along with many others, Thank you!!!!!! I've learned quite a bit from your posts.

If you would like to spare the time, please advise me from this point of view.
Assume that I am starting from point zero. What DSLR or camcorder would you recommend to shoot music performance vids (not concerts-just teacher lessons and product demonstrations-video recorder on a tripod, no zooming- and perhaps an ext mic for better audio quality)? In as high a quality as possible for upload to YouTube and DVD production? I've gotten suggestions including Panasonic's Lumix series, Canon's T4i, and various Canon and Sony camcorders. Am I looking to shoot AVCHD? MPEG-4?

And in terms of editors, I now have iMovie 11, Premiere Elements 11 for mac, but I could get my hands on FCP X, or Media Composer 6.5 with my educator's discount.

I do a lot of audio production, right on up to ddp and cd production. I have a quick and effective workflow that yields high quality results. I'd like to expand into the video side. But I've been stumped. I'm learning, but still haven't gotten the train on the tracks, so to speak.

Thanks again!!

Tim
Click to expand...

It may be better for you to create your own thread in the Digital Video sub-forum to get better help, as I cannot really advise with consumer grade cameras, as I work more with Arri Alexa and similar cameras.


Find the NEW THREAD button (at the top and bottom of the thread list) looking like this:
newthread.gif

Use an appropriate and descriptive thread title and follow the guidelines in this thread:

PS:
Video Compression
Why It Matters & How To Make The Most Of It
 
Rewrap problem

I have the apps and it seems to be working ok - still need to do some tests:) In Mpeg Streamclip I dont see the compression option for Apple ProRes. Could that be because I am using ver. 1.9.2 the later one 1.9.3 seemed to have some issues with my OS 10.6.8 (snow leopard) so I avoided it. Is H264 an equivalent compression to use ?
 
Last edited:
Frankgr said:
I have the apps and it seems to be working ok - still need to do some tests:) In Mpeg Streamclip I dont see the compression option for Apple ProRes. Could that be because I am using ver. 1.9.2 the later one 1.9.3 seemed to have some issues with my OS 10.6.8 (snow leopard) so I avoided it. Is H264 an equivalent compression to use ?
Click to expand...

ProRes is an editing codec, which comes with Final Cut Pro.
H.264 is a delivering codec, which comes with almost everything now.

What do you want to do with your MTS files?


Video Compression
Why It Matters & How To Make The Most Of It
 
simsaladimbamba said:
What do you want to do with your MTS files?
[/LIST][/INDENT][/INDENT]
Click to expand...


I have a small Sony pocket camera (RX100) that records HD video / avchd 1080p in the .mts format.
So I have used your method (original post) to make them into .M4V files.
Now in MediaStreamclip I want to export files for delivering them to my friend (quicktime?).

Recommendations for size (unscaled or size in HD), compression codec (H264 ?), File type (QT or Mpeg-4 ?), for prepping the clips tp be played/viewed on a HD TV set by connecting a macbook to the TV. Bypassing any editing program, just payed with a media player (Quicktime, Windows media Player, VLC?)

A problem I'm experiencing which I hope is not a result of the transcoding-
When I playback the video on the camera lcd it looks smooth,but when I play it on my machine it has aweful 'stuttering', 'staggering' with any camera or subject movement. I'm panning slowly using a video head on tripod with steady shot turned off.
I just tried with shooting mp4 and all 3 avchd options - it's the same problem.
Thank you
 
Last edited:
I've been using Clipwrap for some time now, although admittedly haven't used it for several months. I've just converted some files today and there's no audio, the video element plays fine. I've updated to the latest version of clipwrap and still no joy. Could someone please assist me in this matter.

I'm running Mac OS X Mountain Lion on an intel Mac.



EDIT: Ignore this, I've just gone into preferences and found that "convert audio to LPCM" was checked. I've unchecked it and it plays fine.
 
snerkler said:
I've been using Clipwrap for some time now, although admittedly haven't used it for several months. I've just converted some files today and there's no audio, the video element plays fine. I've updated to the latest version of clipwrap and still no joy. Could someone please assist me in this matter.

I'm running Mac OS X Mountain Lion on an intel Mac.



EDIT: Ignore this, I've just gone into preferences and found that "convert audio to LPCM" was checked. I've unchecked it and it plays fine.
Click to expand...

I've discovered since this that although I ran an update this morning it didn't update to the latest version of clipwrap. I re-ran the update and it now updated to 2.6.1. Audio now works even with LPCM checked.
 
No Sound

@simsaladimbamba

Thanks so much for your post...super helpful! However...I still can't get audio from my completed .mov files. Did everything you recommended...any ideas?
 
Same issue, no sound.

Hello!

I also wanted to thank you for this post. I've attempted everything you have mentioned/suggested in this thread regarding the "no sound" issue, but without success. I have the A52 codec and have installed VideoContainerSwitcher. I'm not quite sure what else could be causing the problem.

I drag an .MTS file into ReWrap2M4V, and the resulting file has no sound. I run that file through MPEGStreamClip (sound uncompressed), and it still has no sound as a .MOV.

Just to give you some extra info, I have FCPX installed, as well as FCE4 and QTX. Also, I tried running a small clip through a trial version of ClipWrap, and the resulting file did have sound. There seems to be a piece missing with the other method..

Any ideas as to what else I could try?

EDIT:
Okay, I think I know why it didn't work. It seems that my problem was that I kept choosing to output my files as Apple ProRes (HQ). I don't know why that got rid of the sound, but hey, at least this works!

Thank you, again.
 
Last edited:
umbcdml said:
Hello!

I also wanted to thank you for this post. I've attempted everything you have mentioned/suggested in this thread regarding the "no sound" issue, but without success. I have the A52 codec and have installed VideoContainerSwitcher. I'm not quite sure what else could be causing the problem.

I drag an .MTS file into ReWrap2M4V, and the resulting file has no sound. I run that file through MPEGStreamClip (sound uncompressed), and it still has no sound as a .MOV.

Just to give you some extra info, I have FCPX installed, as well as FCE4 and QTX. Also, I tried running a small clip through a trial version of ClipWrap, and the resulting file did have sound. There seems to be a piece missing with the other method..

Any ideas as to what else I could try?
Click to expand...

If those MTS files are not that much, like several dozens, it works to open each MTS file in QTX and SAVE AS/EXPORT as MOV. I have done that last year on a video production Mac, since the method I posted did not seem to work on it and I did not want to fiddle that deep.
As it was a Mac Pro, I opened at least four MTS files and let it export 4 videos at the same time.
 
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