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Luis Ortega
Luis Ortega
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Importing AVCHD into Premiere Pro CS5

May 28, 2010 9:18 AM

I was used to the firewire, mini-dv tape capture process, but have been confused about how to import my video footage from an AVCHD camcorder into Premiere Pro CS5.

The capture window doesn't work with the camcoder connected by USB or with the memory card from the camera in a USB card reader.

How can I preview the video footage and select which clips to import?

Thanks for any advice.

13308 Views   18 Replies   Latest reply: Bill Hunt, Jun 29, 2010 1:54 PM
 
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  • Bill Hunt
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    1. Bill Hunt,
    May 28, 2010 9:21 AM   in reply to Luis Ortega
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    With non-tape cameras, just Copy over the files to the HDD. Then, Import from that location. There will be no Capture process involved.

     

    Good luck,

     

    Hunt

     

    PS - make sure to Copy the files, and do NOT work from the card. Get USB out of the loop as quickly, as is possible.

     
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  • John T Smith
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    2. John T Smith,
    May 28, 2010 10:01 AM   in reply to Luis Ortega
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    My Canon Vixia HFS100 creates AVCHD (MTS) files on a memory card

     

    Since the REALLY CRAPPY Canon software doesn't like Win7 64bit, and Win7 by itself doesn't "see" the camera (I might be able to fix this, but I just don't care to mess around with settings) I bought a USB adapter (link below) and just take the memory card out of the camera and then use Windows Explorer to copy the MTS files to my computer

     

    According to my testing, there is no directory structure I need to copy... just the individual MTS files

     

    NOTE that I have CS5 on order so won't know until it arrives if the individual MTS files are all I need (think so... they all seem to be self-contained and play just fine)

     

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/655083-REG/Kingston_FCR_MLG2_Mob ileLiteG2_Memory_Card_Reader.html

     
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  • Luis Ortega
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    3. Luis Ortega,
    May 28, 2010 3:37 PM   in reply to Luis Ortega
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    Thanks. So there is no way to preview anything before importing?

    When I use Final Cut Pro it has a log and transfer option that opens a window where all of the clips from the camcorder or the memory card are shown and you can preview the clips and even set in/out points on the clips before deciding which ones to import and how much of each clip to import.

    That was the way that the capture worked with firewire also, and I'm surprised that this functionality is not available with avchd files.

     
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  • Bill Hunt
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    4. Bill Hunt,
    May 28, 2010 3:50 PM   in reply to Luis Ortega
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    Not sure if you can get similar with Media Browser/Bridge, but it might be worth a look.

     

    Good luck,

     

    Hunt

     
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  • Jeff Bellune
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    5. Jeff Bellune,
    May 28, 2010 3:58 PM   in reply to Luis Ortega
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    Double-click the .mts file (that's part of the proper camera folder structure) and the clip will load into the Source Monitor.  From there you can set in/out points and import to the project as master clips or subclips.

     

    -Jeff

     
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  • Luis Ortega
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    6. Luis Ortega,
    May 28, 2010 4:14 PM   in reply to Jeff Bellune
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    Thanks, I understand that, but I was wondering if one could do such a preview and setting of in/out points on the shots before bringing them into the computer's hard drive so as to take up less disk space with unwanted footage.

     
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  • Jeff Bellune
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    7. Jeff Bellune,
    May 28, 2010 4:32 PM   in reply to Luis Ortega
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    I don't see why not?  I've never tried it here, but if your operating system sees the media card as an accessible drive, then the Media Browser in Pr should be able to show you the files in-place on the card.

     

    -Jeff

     

    EDIT: You'll be able to decide which clips you don't want to import at all in order to save space, but for the clips you do import, you'll have to import the entire clip, not just the in/out segment.

     
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  • anonmous
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    8. anonmous,
    Jun 2, 2010 7:15 AM   in reply to John T Smith
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    Hi John, I'm not sure if this is at all related to the problem you're experiencing with your Canon, but when I first attempted to read directly from my Canon HF S10, my Windows 7 x64 computer wouldn't recognize it either.  After digging around a bit, I discovered that it has to do with using a Hub USB port as opposed to a non-Hub USB port.  I was connecting my Canon to the front USB ports: no go.  After reading this thread (post 24 specifically), I plugged the USB cable into the back, no problems since then.

     

    Matt

     
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  • John T Smith
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    9. John T Smith,
    Jun 2, 2010 8:26 AM   in reply to anonmous
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    Interesting about Hub -vs- non-Hub... but as my SD card to reader to USB to hard drive works, I'll stick with that

     

    Besides which, all of the USB ports on the back (built in to the motherboard) are in use for various devices, so all I have available are on the front... the ones that are connected to the motherboard via cable to the mid-tower case

     

    My order of CS5 is due tomorrow, so I plan to do some MTS testing this weekend... some small clips to timeline to Encore to DVD to see how a DVD created from AVCHD source looks on my TV

     
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  • anonmous
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    10. anonmous,
    Jun 2, 2010 10:44 AM   in reply to John T Smith
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    Bottom line is that it's bogus that some Canons have this problem.  All of my USB ports in the back

    were used as well.  I just had to transfer one to the front USB connection, and all was well.  As you said for yourself

    , there's no need as you have the reader.

     

    I look forward to seeing your results with MTS and CS5.

     

    Matt

     
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  • jolemon
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    11. jolemon,
    Jun 29, 2010 10:49 AM   in reply to Luis Ortega
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    I am having an issue with the AUDIO importing with the MTS video file. I can get the video just fine into Pr CS5 but the audio does not come with it. I am incredibly frustrated cause i have not been able to edit my MTS videos!! What am i missing here?

     
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  • Bill Hunt
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    12. Bill Hunt,
    Jun 29, 2010 12:11 PM   in reply to jolemon
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    Welcome to the forum.

     

    Can you tell us about your Audio stream from the camera? Is it DD 5.1 SS (6-channel), or stereo (2-channel)?

     

    Also, what is the Audio format/CODEC used in that Audio stream?

     

    Thanks, and good luck,

     

    Hunt

     
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  • John T Smith
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    13. John T Smith,
    Jun 29, 2010 12:20 PM   in reply to anonmous
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    >I look forward to seeing your results with MTS and CS5

     

    http://forums.adobe.com/thread/652694?tstart=0 and http://forums.adobe.com/thread/653789?tstart=0

     
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  • John T Smith
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    14. John T Smith,
    Jun 29, 2010 12:22 PM   in reply to jolemon
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    >What am i missing here?

     

    Detailed information so someone can do more than guess

     

    You really don't provide enough information for anyone to help
    How to ask a question http://forums.adobe.com/thread/416679
    Plus read http://forums.adobe.com/thread/459220?tstart=0

    A link with many ideas about computer setup http://forums.adobe.com/thread/436215?tstart=0
    And even more hardware discussion http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/hardware_forum
    Including this post about 3 possible builds http://forums.adobe.com/thread/598040?tstart=0


    Work through all of the steps (ideas) listed at http://ppro.wikia.com/wiki/Troubleshooting


    If your problem isn't fixed after you follow all of the steps, report back with ALL OF THE DETAILS asked for in the FINALLY section, the questions at the end of the troubleshooting link... most especially the codec used... see Question 1

     
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  • jolemon
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    15. jolemon,
    Jun 29, 2010 12:36 PM   in reply to jolemon
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    Thanks to all the responses I have received thus far. Sorry for posting a question with no real details. I was extremely frustrated and just vented out loud. I have since figured out my problem. Not that it helps me any right now but I am just super impatient.

     
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  • Bill Hunt
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    16. Bill Hunt,
    Jun 29, 2010 12:41 PM   in reply to jolemon
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    It happens often.

     

    Can you please update with what your problem was, as that may well help another poster in the future?

     

    Good luck,

     

    Hunt

     
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  • jolemon
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    17. jolemon,
    Jun 29, 2010 1:04 PM   in reply to Bill Hunt
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    My problem stemmed with me downloading the trial because we haven't received the full version yet. Since I have to get these videos edited and this is my first time working with this file type, I thought it might work until I could put in the serial number when we got the software. However, the trial does not allow me to edit the file type I am working with (AVCHD [.MTS]), which is stated after I searched more here: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/407/kb407938.html 

     

    Premeire CS3 does not recognize the file type. Premiere Elements 7 was able to start editing the files but it kept crashing on me until I wanted to pull out my hair and scream at the top of my lungs.

     

    Thanks anyway all.

     
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  • Bill Hunt
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    18. Bill Hunt,
    Jun 29, 2010 1:54 PM   in reply to jolemon
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    Yes, the trial has been a tripping point for many.

     

    At least with CS5, one can convert from trial to full-paid (in most cases), without the previous versions' "flaming hoops."

     

    One aside, and it can be version dependent, but PrE Project files (PREL), can Import or Open in equal versions of PrPro. For instance, and so long as I do not add things like Instant Movie, or Themes, I can Open PrE 4 Projects in PrPro 2.0. However, I cannot Open PrE 7, or 8 Projects in my PrPro 2.0. I would assume that CS5 can handle most PrE versions' PREL's - again, so long as one does not use certain PrE-only features.

     

    Good luck,

     

    Hunt

     
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