Down-convert Panasonic GH2 MTS footage from 1080p to 720p for editing in FCP/Premiere

Summary: In this article, you can learn the best way to convert Panasoni GH2 AVCHD MTS to a file that FCP/Premiere can recognize on Mac(Mavericks 10.8 included) with downsizing 1080p HD video to 720p.

                                     


Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 updates the highly acclaimed if rather pricey GH1 Micro Four Thirds system camera. As such the GH2's styling is closer to that of a baby DSLR than its sibling's, the GF2 compact camera form. While stylistically similar, its size is roughly a third of the size of Olympus' Four Thirds E-5 DSLR, and closer in fact to that of a bridge camera. Except unlike a bridge camera, the Panasonic's added appeal is the ability to swap the lens in use. Therefore it's fair to say that for those who like the feel of a DSLR but not the attendant bulk, the GH2 is potentially a very attractive proposition. It's in effect a DSLR 'lite'. 

Easiest way to convert GH2 1080p .mts to 720p?

I'm a Director, DP-Editor/Gaffer. I do commercials and corporate work. I got my Panasonic GH2 and I shot all the .mts footage myself about Teaching Practices in Public Schools in Maryland. I like One-touch HD video recording and manual controls. And now I need to down-convert GH2 MTS footage from 1080p to 720p for storage and editing in FCP&Premiere. Is there any easy way (free or nominal fee)? 

Why we need to downsize the HD video?

By google search, you can see many folks are asking about how to downsize 1080p to 720p. It is my impression that if I edit with actual 720p files, it will be less strain on the system both in editing and rendering as well has hard drive space. In fact, it really does. After reducing the big video size, we will edit more smoothly, save space and make 1080p video playable on protable device like iPad.

An easy to use 1080p to 720p Converter

As in the above case, you have the need to find a professional MTS Converter for FCP/Premiere to downsize 1080p HD video to 720p. Pavtube MTS Converter for Mac is exactly the one ease of use. I have used it on my project, it is helpful in down-converting Panasonic GH2 1080p full HD video to 720p video quickly and transoding GH2 MTS file to FCP/Premiere editable Prores codec, then I can wok well with GH2 mts file in FCP and Premiere. Overall first impression is excellent. Below I will share the step-to-step guide to you.

Simple way to downconvert GH2 1080p to 720p for editing in FCP/Premiere

Step 1. Download Pavtube MTS Converter for Mac. This professional Panasonic MTS Converter can help you convert 1080p AVCHD MTS files to rich formats for use on Mac(Mavericks 10.9 included). 

Step 2. Install and launch this 1080p to 720p MTS Converter. Import 1080p MTS footage from GH2 to it. 

Step 3. Click "Format" bar to choose format for output, you can choose Final Cut Pro > Apple ProRes 422 HQ (*.mov) for editing in FCP and Premiere Pro.

Step 4. You can click “settings” to customize the output parameters, adjust the resolution, bitrate as you want. To down-convert 1080p to 720p, you just need set Size(pix) to 1280*720. That is the exact 720P.

Step 5. Click convert button to start converting Panasonic GH2 1080p AVCHD MTS to Prores for FCP and Premiere editing with 1280*720 definition.

As long as the conversion is done, you will get the 720p mov video files in full screen from its destination folder, and then you can import the files with 720p resolution to FCP/Premiere editing smoothly on Mac (including Mavericks 10.9).

Read More:

• How to Solve the freezes when importing MTS media to Premiere CC-2015.3?
• How to Convert MTS/M2TS with Handbrake Easily?
• Best Solution to Play Sony MTS/M2TS Files on MacBook Pro
• Play MTS on Smart TV (Windows and Mac Solutions)
• Top 5 MTS/M2TS Video Editors for Mac
• Top 5 MTS/M2TS Video Editors for Windows (10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, etc)
• Fix Choppy Issues When Importing AVCHD Files to FCP
• Join and Convert MTS/M2TS Files for playing with VLC Player
• How to Convert 3D AVCHD MTS to 3D Tablet for Watching?

Mix Canon XF300 MXF to ProRes with multiple audio tracks for FCP X

Summary: In this tutorial, you will learn the way importing/editing Canon XF300 MXF files in FCP X smoothly by transcoding MXF to Prores on Mac(including Mavericks 10.9).

Q1: Just got a Canon XF300, it provide extraordinary image quality. I am wondering how to load my videos from XF300 to FCP X directly? Is MXF a supported format for FCP? Is it possible to keep multiple audio tracks?

Q2: Which software do I need to convert XF300 mxf files to be readable in FCP X ? I have more than 200 MXF files, I need to batch process them. Can anyone help regarding this conversion? Can I preserve the multi-track adudio?

As you can see, you will meet some stuttering problem when editing Canon XF300 MXF footage in FCP X on Mac (including Mac Mavericks). In fact, FCP does not support direct editing of Canon XF300 MXF in the timeline. If you want to edit Canon XF300 MXF in Final Cut Pro X, you first need to convert Canon MXF video to FCP compatible ProRes codec.

Required Tool: Pavtube iMix MXF

It can help us to convert Canon XF300 MXF to ProRes for FCP X editing with retaining higher quality and keeping multiple audio tracks. Below are some useful tips for you and you will know how to import Canon XF300 MXF to Final Cut Pro X on Mac (including Mac Mavericks).

Step 1. Add Canon MXF footage to the Canon MXF Converter.

Run Pavtube MXF audio Mixer. Click "Add" to load the source Canon MXF files. When the Canon MXF files are loaded to the MXF Converter, you can view the videos from the Preview window.



Step 2. Set Prores MOV as output format for Canon MXF to FCP X conversion.

Click on "Format", and select output format from the drop-down list. Follow "Multi-track Video>Multi-track Apple ProRes 422(*.mov) for editng XF300 multi-track MXF files in Final Cut Pro 6/7.



When set output folder, or click the icon folder in Output box and browse to the destination folder.

Step 3. You can click settings button to adjust the output video's parameters, such as resolution, bitrate, codec and frame rate, etc.

Step 4. Convert Canon XF300 MXF to Prores 422 for importing to Final Cut Pro X.

Click "Convert" button and the selected Canon XF305 MXF files will be converted to Prores 422 .MOV. You may check the converting progress and set auto shutdown in the convert window.

Additional Editing Features of the MXF Converter for Mac

- Trim, combine, de-interlace Canon MXF footage, capture Canon XF300 frame.

Trim Canon MXF clips: Click "Edit" to enter video editor, by default the "Trim" tab is activated, so just set start time and end time to include the duration you want to remain, cutting others out.

Combine/Join Canon MXF files: If you would like to join several files together, just select these files and check the Merge into one box.

De-interlace Canon MXF: Some footage may be saved as interlaced video with Juggled edges and ghosting. In that case you can set deinterlace effect to eliminate the combing. Follow "Edit"-> "Effect"-> "Deinterlacing".

Capture frame from Canon MXF: To thumbnail video frame, you may click the "Snapshoot" button when it plays to your favorable frame.



Tips:


If you don't want to get multi-track videos or your videos has less that two audio track to be converted, the latest version of Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac is designed to output each audio/video track separately.

Learn more:

• Solve Canon XF105 MXF to iMovie importing problem
• Convert Canon XF300 MXF to ProRes for FCP/Premiere Pro

iMovie no audio problem? Find the easy solution to fix it here

Summary: If you have the common "iMovie no sound problem" issue, just read this article, you will find the best solution here.

Q1: Want to edit in imovie and there is no audio! Can't get it to play full screen. Won't open. Wont show clip in viewer either. I have tried restarting imovie. havee restarted Macbook pro)
 
Q2: Completed my first movie in iMovie '11 and I'm having an audio problem. Searched and found many audio problems in iMovie-- too bad because it's a pretty easy program to work with!

Q3: I'm making a movie on my Mac Mini and I am struggling with this audio bug using iMovie 11.  I'm seeing this issue that I cannot solve. Any clues here? Thanks in advance. 


As above, "iMovie no sound" is a common problem asked by many mac users. What's the problem? This may lie in the unsupported codec and format of the video files that imports into iMovie. 

From Apple forum we know that many common vidoe codes and formats are not a suitable and native for iMovie, so you are suggested to transocde all kinds of videos to AIC (Apple Intermediate Codec), the favorite editing codec of iMovie in advance. This may be te easy solution!

Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac can fix this iMovie no sound, which supports converting videos for using in iMovie with no limition. You can do it on All major Mac OS X operating systems, like Mountain Lion, Lion, Snow Leopard and the lastest Mac OS X Mavericks. 

Steps: Convert and import videos to iMovie without losing sound issue 

Step 1: Run Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac and video clips to it

You can click either "Add Video" button or "Add from folder" button to load source files.

If you want to combine the loaded video clips into one file, simply tick off the checkbox before "Merge into one file".

Step 2: Select "Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)" as target format

In order to convert video to AIC for use in iMovie, simply hit "Format" menu and follow "iMovie and Final Cut Express" > "Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)".

Settings:



Step 3: Start all kinds of videos to AIC Conversion

Click the big button "Convert" to start all kinds of videos to AIC Conversion.

As soon as the conversion is completed, you are able to click "Open" button to get the generated AIC MOV files for use in iMovie.

Step 4: Import converted videos to iMovie.

Launch iMovie, and then choose "File > Import > Movies" to import the converted videos to iMovie for further editing.  The audio of the video file will ok in iMovie and you will not have any "iMovie no sound" problem.

Now you you can edit you video projects in iMovie without any hassle. Find more iMovie Solutions here.

How do I make MKV files playing on my PS3?

The guide shows you how to quickly convert MKV to PS3 playable video formats so that you can play 720p/1080p MKV videos on PS3 without problems.

MKV is a container format and well-known as Matroska video. It is wildly used for delivering HD video content which up to 1080p. It is an envelope for which there can be many audio, video and subtitles streams, allowing the user to store a complete movie or CD in a single file. On the other hand, some other problems may happen in this open video format. For example, MKV to FCP, MKV in Sony Vegas, etc.

The problem is that many standalone devices simply do not support the MKV format, often preferring the MP4 container format for use with H.264/MPEG-4 AVC encoding. The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is one of them, you will find that PS3 just not a MKV Player. So is there any way to help you to play .mkv files on the PS3 without limitation?

In order to stream MKV files to PS3 for playback, you may have to convert MKV to PS3 playable format (e.g. H.264/MPEG-4). Along with some help from third-party software. With Pavtube Video Converter, a great MKV Converter for PS3, you can easily achieve your goal smoothly. The Mac version is Video Converter for Mac.

The following guide shares with you how to encode 1080p/720p MKV to PS3 for playback step-by-step.

Step 1. Install and launch the MKV Converter for PS3, and click "Add file" or "Add from folder" button to load your MKV files. The software supports batch converison so that you can add several MKV files to convert at one time.

Step 2. Click on "Format" boarder to set output format.

Now that we're converting MKV for PS3, a recommended format is "PS3 Video(720p) MPEG-4(*.mp4)" or "PS3 Video(1080p) MPEG-4(*.mp4)" from "PSP/PS3" option.



Step 3. Finally click on "Convert" button to start converting MKV to 1080p HD MP4 for PS3.

In this way, you can get MKV files playable on PS3 without problems. We hope this short article will bring some new multimedia life to your PlayStation 3 (PS3) console.

See Also:

Convert MKV PGS Files to MKV SRT subtitles

Top 15 VirtualDub Alternative and Similar Softwares

Play MKV on PS4 with Sound

Top 3 MKV Video Converter

How to Play MKV VOBSubs/PGS in Kodi?

How to Play MKV on VLC Smoothly?

The Best Blu-ray to MKV Ripper for HD Media Players and HTPCs

Copy Region 2 DVD to Plex in Multi-track MKV

3 Ways to Convert MKV to MP4 for iTunes Playing

How to Play MKV to Sharp TV Over the Network?

How to Play MKV Files on LG TV Smoothly?

Magic Lantern firmware boosts dynamic range of Canon 5D III and 7D

The folks at Magic Lantern are no stranger to adding new features to Canon DSLRs, courtesy of their EOS Camera Tool software.  

Magic Lantern's brought some miraculous features to Canon EOS DSLRs lately, including RAW video recording on the 5D Mark III, and video recording, period, to the 50D. Its latest feat is no less amazing, even for jaded DSLR shooters.

By exploiting unused dual ISO amplifiers on a sensor chip in the Canon 5D Mark III and 7D, new firmware allows you to record lighter parts of a scene at ISO 100 and darker portions at ISO 1600. It works with RAW video and stills on the 5D III and RAW stills only on the 7D, with both requiring post-processing after capture. That bit of creative coding increases the dynamic range of both cameras to around 14, though not without some drawbacks. Namely, the 7D implementation is buggy for now, you'll lose some resolution while gaining aliasing in shadows and highlights, and won't be able to check critical focus by zooming in. Still, the organization has a track record of quickly improving new features -- so, if you've got the guts to risk voiding your warranty, hit the source.

Their latest creation - called Dual ISO - dramatically increases the dynamic range of the 5D Mark III and EOS 7D by four stops, bringing the total dynamic range to 14EV. This allows you to pull detail out of the shadows with a lot less noise than with the 'stock' firmware. The technical details are complex, but simply put, it works by interlacing two rows of pixels captured at ISO 100 with two rows taken at a higher sensitivity (usually ISO 1600). The low sensitivity rows capture highlight detail, while the high ISO rows capture shadow detail. When they are combined, you get relatively noise-free shadows without blowing highlights.

According to Magic Lantern, there are some downsides to using the Dual ISO firmware, though. Vertical resolution is reduced by half and there's more moiré and aliasing in over and underexposed areas. The author also warns that since this software modifies the sensor's operation, you could end up frying your camera. 

Canon Related guides
Edit Canon EOS T4i MOV in iMovie

How to Convert QuickTime movie to iMovie on Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks

If you don't know how to smoothly import QuickTime movie to iMovie on Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks, just read this article, you will get the tools and steps, follow it!

QuickTime (.MOV) file format is a file extension used by the QuickTime-wrapped files. The format was created by Apple Computer to work with multimedia files. MOV is a container format and can contain video, animation, graphics, 3D and virtual reality (VR) content or text (for subtitles, for example).

However, many Mac users are still puzzled by one thing that some files from QuickTime with MOV file extension can't be imported into iMovie on Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks as iMovie does not support the standard MOV QuickTime file format.

If you want to import a QuickTime movie file into iMovie on your Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks, you are suggested to transocde QuickTime videos to AIC (Apple Intermediate Codec), the favorite editing codec of iMovie at first. The Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC) does not use temporal compression, so every frame can be decoded and displayed immediately without first decoding other frames. The drawback of this codec is that it requires much more bandwidth and hard drive storage space. The following are steps for you to QuickTime MOV to AIC MOV for iMovie editing.

Step 1: Run Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac for iMovie and video clips to it. You can click either "Add Video" button to load source files.

If you want to combine the loaded MOV clips into one file, simply tick off the checkbox before "Merge into one file".

Step 2: Select "Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)" as target format.

In order to convert video to AIC for use in iMovie, simply hit "Format" menu and follow "iMovie and Final Cut Express" > "Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)".



Settings:



Step 3: Start QuickTime MOV to AIC Conversion.

Click the big button "Convert" to start converting QuickTime movie to iMovie on Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks. As soon as the conversion is completed, you are able to click "Open" button to get the generated AIC MOV files for use in iMovie.

Step 4: Import converted videos to iMovie 8/9/11.

Launch iMovie, from the File menu, choose Import > Movies, navigate to the folder that output MOV videos are saved. Select the files and click "Import".

Now, start to create your masterpiece with QuickTime movie in iMovie (iMovie 11/iMovie 09/iMovie 08/iMovie HD)!

Read more solutions:

• Convert Videos between MKV and QuickTime MOV on Mac
• How to enable VLC to play Blu-ray movies by chapters

Transcode Sony NX5U MTS to ProRes for Aperture 3/Premiere Pro on OS X Mavericks 10.9

Summary: In this article, you can get the info of covnerting Sony NX5U AVCHD to Aperture 3/Premiere Pro compatible Prores codec for importing and editing on OS X Mavericks 10.9.


The first in Sony's line of NXCAM solid-state camcorders, the NXCAM HXR-NX5U is also the company's first professional-level AVCHD camcorder. And while it may look similar to its HDV predecessor, the HVR-Z5U, in fact this is a very different animal. And because the NX5U can capture to media cards plus an optional flash memory unit, you can simultaneously record a different signal to each, whether HD + a backup or HD + SD. The footage is then easily downloaded to a computer or backup drive using USB 2.0.

Sony HXR-NX5U can capture HD and SD video in AVCHD and MPEG-2 formats--and save it to solid state media--is only one of its distinctive traits. Full-raster 1920 x 1080 video is another, including the option of recording 720/60p video as well as 60i, 30p and 24p. With the 1080 video recording AVCHD file from NX5U, you may face problem when trying to import/load the 1080 AVCHD MTS to Aperture 3/Premiere Pro on OS X Mavericks 10.9.

Well, as is known to us, Aperture 3 and Premiere Pro accepts Prores MOV best, so, to convert AVCHD to Prores MOV is a good choice for editing Sony NXCAM HXR-NX5U AVCHD MTS inAperture 3/Premiere Pro.

To do the job, AVCHD Converter for Mac is an ideal tool. With it, you can convert Sony NX5U 1080 AVCHD files to Apple ProRes 422 for editing with Apple Aperture 3 and Premiere Pro on OS X Mavericks 10.9 without losing quality or rendering.

Below is the step-by-step guide for you to quickly convert Sony NX5U 1080 AVCHD to Aperture 3 or Premiere Pro compatibel Prores codec on Mac Mountain Lion, Lion, Snow Leopard or Leopard, OS X Mavericks 10.9.

Step 1: Download Pavtube Mavericks AVCHD MTS/M2TS Converter and import your Sony NX5U AVCHD file. This software will solve your AVCHD to Apple Aperture 3/Premiere Pro importing problems.



Step 2: You will need to choose the output format for Aperture/Premiere. You are recommended to choose Final Cut Pro -> Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov), it's great for editing in Apple Aperture and Premiere Pro. There are more formats for output, you can pick as you need.



Step 3: Click "Settings" button to adjust the output video's parameters, such as bitrate, resolution, etc. for example, you can choose the resolution as 1920*1080 or 1280*720, that's 1080p or 720p resolution, great for editing.



Step 4: Start converting Sony NXCAM NX5U 1080 AVCHD to Prores for Apple Aperture 3/Premiere Pro.

After converting, you can load Sony NXCAM NX5U 1080 AVCHD MTS to Apple Aperture 3/Premiere Pro for editing as you want, now you can have a try.
Find more solutions on
Read More:

• How to Solve the freezes when importing MTS media to Premiere CC-2015.3?
• How to Convert MTS/M2TS with Handbrake Easily?
• Best Solution to Play Sony MTS/M2TS Files on MacBook Pro
• Play MTS on Smart TV (Windows and Mac Solutions)
• Top 5 MTS/M2TS Video Editors for Mac
• Top 5 MTS/M2TS Video Editors for Windows (10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, etc)
• Fix Choppy Issues When Importing AVCHD Files to FCP
• Join and Convert MTS/M2TS Files for playing with VLC Player
• How to Convert 3D AVCHD MTS to 3D Tablet for Watching?
• Import 4K Video to Aperture 3