Using HMC150, AVCHD, and Final Cut Express...

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

I'm test driving a HMC150 and currently use FCE for my editing. I have a Sony HDRSR11 which also uses AVCHD, but I have only 'imported' via iMovie.

On the HMC150, would Express require the camera to be attached and use the capture from camera mode to perform the conversion, or can I use an adaptor to read the video files directly?

Or do I capture via iMovie and convert to AIC.

Alternatively, does CS4 Premiere do 'native' processing on AVCHD?

 

[Barry_Green]

Yes CS4 works with the native AVCHD footage.

You can attach the camera via USB and use the camera as a reader, but you shouldn't have to; you should be able to use any USB SDHC card reader. I am assuming Express can read the footage from any device...

 

[studio1972]

I'm test driving a HMC150 and currently use FCE for my editing. I have a Sony HDRSR11 which also uses AVCHD, but I have only 'imported' via iMovie.

On the HMC150, would Express require the camera to be attached and use the capture from camera mode to perform the conversion, or can I use an adaptor to read the video files directly?

Or do I capture via iMovie and convert to AIC.

Alternatively, does CS4 Premiere do 'native' processing on AVCHD?

Hi,

You can use the log & Transfer window in FCE to bring the footage in. You do not need to connect the camera. Just insert the SD card into a USB card reader. If you want you can connect the camera up with USB and the camera will behave as a card reader. The footage will be converted into AIC. You need to shoot in 1080i for this to work, preferably in HA mode.

Stuart

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

Hi,

You can use the log & Transfer window in FCE to bring the footage in. You do not need to connect the camera. Just insert the SD card into a USB card reader. If you want you can connect the camera up with USB and the camera will behave as a card reader. The footage will be converted into AIC. You need to shoot in 1080i for this to work, preferably in HA mode.

Stuart

Well, I used the camera over the long Thanksgiving holiday, and found that I can 'Log and Transfer' PH 1080 24p footage. The resulting AIC is in fact 1080 24p, despite the FCE project being set up for 1080i... I have seen a couple of sync 'goobers' so, I'll see how much impact that may have as I do more editing.

I have After Effects, and can set up for 'real'(tm), 1080 24p formating... but I prefer using FC for the splicing and dicing of live footage... the Audio in AE sucks big time... as does general 'editing'... but may do a hybrid if needs be.

I did the Log and Transfer from the camera, but I'll try reading the SDHC device with a reader widget to check that method as well.

There was only one glitch moment in setting up for use with FC... the rental house had provided a copy of the manual but had not printed out the pertinant sections for use with the computer. The select button for switching between Camera, and Play back, or PC options, needed to be pressed to move to Play back mode, then pressed for 2 seconds, or so, to switch to USB connected to PC (or my case Mac) mode of operation. Otherwise, when the USB cable was attached the message read 'Disconnect USB cable'... not particularlly informative on what to do to get to the right PC mode of operation...

 

[David Saraceno]

I wasn't aware FCE could work with 24p footage?

Are you sure that isn't accounting for your sync issue?

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

I wasn't aware FCE could work with 24p footage?

Are you sure that isn't accounting for your sync issue?

If I am seeing an artifact, that's what I would attribute it to. Since most of the footage that I shot is not sound sync'd, or is very short, I may get away with 'what me worry...', and if I really do see obnoxious artifacts, and can use AE clunky though it may be... to edit what I have.

I have Adobe CS3 Production which includes Premiere, so I may upgrade to CS4 and use the original AVCHD files natively. I don't have the time at the moment to compare FC and Premiere to see if it is worth upgrading right now, or getting the CS4 eval setup.

But I am able to do some editing in FC without having to really jump through hoops to get something.

 

[David Saraceno]

We have a quad core MacPro.

AVCHD in CS4 natively just didn't work. Program hung repeatedly, and editing was impossible.

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

We have a quad core MacPro.

AVCHD in CS4 natively just didn't work. Program hung repeatedly, and editing was impossible.

Uh oh... warning Will Robinson... Good thing I did get AIC transcoded versions...