Transcode/Convert AVCHD MTS/M2TS Video to FCP Apple ProRes 422 without rendering on Mac

Apple ProRes 422 is a standard-definition and high-definition lossy video compression format developed by Apple Inc. for use in post production. It was introduced in 2007 with Final Cut Studio 2 and is comparable to Avid’s DNxHD codec which has the same purpose and uses similar bit rates. Both are DCT basedintra-frame-only codecs, and are therefore simpler to decode than distribution oriented formats like H.264. FCP/FCP7 is Mac based editing software which supports transcoding AVCHD MTS/M2TS to Apple ProRes for further editing.

AVCHD MTS/M2TS files produced by HD camcorder like Panasonic HDC-TM700, HDC-HS700, HDC-SD700/SD600, Sony CX350, Sony CX550, Canon HF200, etc are not the preferred formats by FCP/FCP7. Even you will have problem for transferring and logging these MTS, M2TS videos.

So the program you need is a great Mac MTS Video to Apple ProRes 422 Converter. With it, you can convert any HD camcorder 1080 60p/50p, 1080i AVCHD (*.mts, *.m2ts), 720p AVCHD lite files to Apple ProRes 422 for editing with Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Pro 7 on Mac.

Below is the step-by-step guide for you to quickly Transcode/Import AVCHD to FCP Apple ProRes 422 Codec (*.mov) for editing.

Step 1. Download MTS/M2TS files to Apple computer.
Connect your AVCHD camcorder c to Apple computer via USB cable, find the .mts, *.m2ts files from the camera folder like PRIVATE > AVCHD > BDMV > STREAM. Then copy and transfer the .mts, *.m2ts files from camera to the Apple hard drive disk.

Step 2. Import MTS/M2TS files to Aunsoft Video Converter for Mac.
Run Aunsoft Video Converter for Mac as the best AVCHD to FCP Apple ProRes Converting software, and click the “Add” button to load AVCHD .mts or .m2ts videos. You may also directly drag and drop the AVCHD video to application UI for importing files.

Step 3. Choose Final Cut Pro–Apple ProRes (*.mov) output format.
Click the “Format” option and navigate the mouse cursor to Final Cut Pro > Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov) as output format. The Mac MTS/M2TS Video to FCP Converter will convert AVCHD to Apple ProRes 422 MOV with high quality. (Tip: The Apple ProRes (*.mov), DVCPROHD (*.mov), HDV (*.mov) formats under Final Cut Pro output profile are available when your FCP is installed on Mac).

Step 4. Convert AVCHD MTS/M2TS video to Apple ProRes (*.MOV) for Final Cut Pro.
Click the convert button under the preview window, and the Mac MTS/M2TS to FCP Converter will start the conversion from AVCHD to Apple ProRes MOV for Final Cut.

After the conversion, you can easily import Apple Prores 422 to Final Cut Pro without rendering for editing.

Tips:

If you would like to edit AVCHD MTS/M2TS with FCE/iMovie, Avid, etc, you can convert MTS/M2TS to Mac itself bring format like Apple Intermediate Codec, DV PAL/NTSC, DVCPRO NTSC/PAL, DVCPRO50 PAL/NTSC (*.MOV) for FCE and iMovie, or transcode MTS/M2TS to Avid DNxHD (*.mov) for Avid on Mac.

Solution to Import AVCHD to FCP 7 from External Hard Drive
AVCHD to FCP helper-Get AVCHD files 1080i and 1080p editable on FCP
AVCHD to ProRes transcoder-Convert AVCHD footage to Apple ProRes for HD editing on FCP

I have many HD videos on my external hard drive for playback on the networked media player, Popcorn Hour. The files are in .mts format from different camcorders, Canon HF R20, Lumix TZ7 and Panasonic HDC-HS700. I would like to import them to Final Cut Pro 7 to make a DVD as present.

Even though it is said that FCP supports the AVCHD files from the AVCHD folder structure, I could not get it work via Log & Transfer. When looking for the solution to import AVCHD to FCP from External Hard Drive, I notice that the problem might be related to the 1080/60p files from HS700. But I could not easy identify which file for 1080i or which for 1080p now. The only solution for me now is to convert AVCHD to Apple ProRes 422 HQ for editing in FCP 7. Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac is the recommended AVCHD to FCP helper on Mac, and it works perfectly with my HD videos.

Hope the below simple steps would help you Get AVCHD files 1080i and 1080p editable on FCP.

Step 1. Download AVCHD files to Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac.
Run Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac as the AVCHD to ProRes transcoder, go to the Resource tab, and click the Add file path button to browse the external hard drive.

Step 2. Select files for conversion.
Select the files from the Resource tab, drag and drop to the Movie tab, to create new movie. Each movie ID would be saved as a file for output. If you want to join and merge the files, choose "Create A Single Movie". If you would like to leave the joining process to FCP, just choose "Create A Movie for Each File".

Step 3. Choose Apple ProRes 422 HQ for FCP 7.
Click the Export button, and go to the 3rd tab, then you can choose Final Cut Pro > Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) as the output format for FCP 7. Set the output video size as 1920x1080.

Click the OK button, and the AVCHD MTS/M2TS to ProRes transcoder will convert AVCHD footage to Apple ProRes for HD editing.

Wait for the conversion, and then you can Edit HD videos on FCP 7 by choosing File > Import > Files.

Tips:
1. You can change the output folder for storing the ProRes 422 files.

2. To get videos without interlacing artifacts, just tick the box for deinterlace before clicking the Export button.