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Offbeat Bryce Productions
Inspiring
March 6, 2018
Answered

Importing AVCHD footage Still the old way?

  • March 6, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 3765 views

in premiereCS6 in order to import AVCHD footage I had to copy the SD Card PRIVATE folder to my computer then import the entire card structure via the media browser. My camera has folders Private>AVCHD>BDMV then inside the BDMV folder is a bunch of folders and the folder with my .MTS file are the STREAM folder. Back in CS6 if I didn't import the entire card structure folder via the media browser Premiere would import the files weird so that there was a few frames chopped off from the end and beginning since the camera records a new clip after 1GB.

Is this still the case or can I just take whatever .mts files I want from the card and copy them to my hard drive and import from the File>Import window?

If I no longer have to this would greatly save storage space if for example the first 3 .MTS clips were bad shots and the rest of the .MTS clips were the ones I wanted to import.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Offbeat Bryce Productions

In that case, Transcodes from Prelude might well be your best option for organization.


wait, but can't I enter a clip name in the metadata in premiere? I thought I could. Even if I transcoded I would be wasting disk space especially if I put them on my SSD. Perhaps transcoding them and putting those on an HDD and then using the proxies on my SSD will help?

The only advantage for trasncode is the timecode resets to zero on each clip so it's easier to search by time code per clip if I need too and another advantage to it is I can send off a transcoded clip to a customer for review vs the whole SD card folder structure which could confuse the customer.

Perhaps if I'm doing a rough cut or someone just wants raw footage of an event without any editing I could just slap together all the native media back to back in a timeline and export as mp4 but if it really needs serious organization then i could use prelude.

The only thing i haven't figured out if syncing custom metadata to premeire from prelude.

2 replies

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excited_Genie16B8
Legend
March 8, 2018

Here's a guaranteed method for success.

1. Copy the full card to the hard drive using Windows Explorer or Finder.  Don't use any special software.

2. Do not change anything in side the PRIVATE folder.

3. Use the Media Browser to navigate to that folder and import the desired clips from there.

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Offbeat Bryce ProductionsAuthor
Inspiring
March 8, 2018

that's what I generally do. I having been playing around with Prelude. I found out if I do transcode files I can rename them which makes organization way easier.

if I have filmed with an 8 bit source do I just transcode to dnxhd 8 bit SQ? i think HQ is 10 bit which I don't think I need.

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excited_Genie16B8
Legend
March 8, 2018

I'm a fan of Cineform for both Transcodes and Proxies.  The YUV 10 bit option at Quality 3 is extremely good and edits super smooth.

Though to be honest, since the Proxy workflow came out, I use that exclusively, pretty much abandoning Transcodes entirely.  I do all my organization inside of PP and leave the originals unaltered.

jasontcox
jasontcox
Inspiring
March 6, 2018

The preferred workflow today is to stick in your memory card, and then make sure you turn on Ingest Settings (Copy) in the Project Settings. In fact, you can do this directly from the Media Browser panel. You'll see a checkmark box next to the word Ingest. Click it, then click the wrench icon next to it so you can make sure that the type of Ingest setting that is active is Copy. Anything media you import from that moment on gets automatically copied to a directory (the same directory as your project file, but you can change this in the Ingest Settings window (through the wrench icon). That way you can just select the files you want from the memory card and not copy the entire card!

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Offbeat Bryce ProductionsAuthor
Inspiring
March 7, 2018

but if I do it that way I don't see anyway to copy the files to a folder on my external drive then how that folder automatically transfer as a bin in premiere.

jasontcox
jasontcox
Inspiring
March 8, 2018

It all happens automatically. If you turn on "Ingest - Copy," Premiere automatically copies the file structure from the memory card to a folder and drive of your choosing (and will only copy the clip or clips you've selected). You can choose the destination of your choice right in the Ingest Settings window (accessible either by going to "File -> Project Settings -> Ingest Settings" or by clicking the wrench icon in the Media Browser). Hope that clears it up!

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