How camcorder save full HD video material?

[Stile]

So, I have Panasonic X920 camcorder and I record video in full HD format (MTS, 1080p50). When I press pause and continue to record, this scene is saved as separate MTS file. Is it normal that camcorder saves each scene in separate MTS file? That means that for 1 hour material I will have around 100 files to handle. Is every camcorder saves in this way and how to avoid it?
Thanks.

[smrpix]

(Most modern) camcorders will start a new file with every record start and stop. You don't want to avoid this, it's useful. You join them together in editing.



Additionally, most have a 2GB filesize limit. This means that longer recordings will have the files separated into several files.

There are two basic ways to deal with this.

The first is to be sure you copy the entire file structure from the card to your computer. that means everything from the "PRIVATE" folder down. Those other files and folders contain metadata that tells your NLE how to stitch the spanned clips together.

The other way is to import your files from the camera via USB utilizing the camera's software to stitch as it transfers.

[Stile]

Thanks. I have this "modern" camcorder which start new MTS file on every start-stop record. So, I end up with 100+ MTS files which I select them all and import into Premiere. Then, I have also to select them all and put onto timeline. So, in Premiere timeline I have 100+ separate files but merged together. Is that workflow OK?
Even if I copy complete PRIVATE structure, I cannot force Premiere to join them together, not even through Premiere Media Importer to have one big MTS file on timeline. In every case I have 100+ clips in timeline. Is this the only workflow that I can have?
I can achieve mentioned above also if I don't copy complete PRIVATE folder but to copy only pure MTS files to HDD.
Why do you think it is useful?

[Bernix]

You can use tsMuxeR 2.6.12 and test if is it for you more comfortable than Premiere.

Bernix

[Stile]

Thanks. I now for tsMuxeR tool. But I wonder if Premiere only can automatically merge MTS files to one MTS file reading some kind of metadata from MTS folders? Or not? If not, then I am sure that I am using Premiere in the most comfortable way.
Thanks.

[smrpix]

n Premiere timeline I have 100+ separate files but merged together. Is that workflow OK?

Sure. That's how it's designed to be used.

Even if I copy complete PRIVATE structure, I cannot force Premiere to join them together, not even through Premiere Media Importer to have one big MTS file on timeline. In every case I have 100+ clips in timeline. Is this the only workflow that I can have?
I can achieve mentioned above also if I don't copy complete PRIVATE folder but to copy only pure MTS files to HDD.
Why do you think it is useful?

Premiere will only join spanned clips into a single file (and it will actually create multiple virtual instances of that spanned clip depending on how many files comprise it.) If you are not using spanned clips, it doesn't really make any difference if you import only the .mts files. However, if you have a mixed bag, some spanned, some not, importing the whole structure allows Premiere to sort it out for you. As a work habit, importing the whole structure makes more sense.

[Cornucopia]

To elaborate on what smrpix said: If for example you do [REC]-[PAUSE], [REC]-[PAUSE], [REC]-[PAUSE], [REC]--------[PAUSE] (where the last segment is really long!), you'd likely end up with maybe 18 files of raw M2TS.
But you don't want to load them into the editor individually like that.
Load the [PRIVATE] folder, and then you'd end up with just 4 master clips (any maybe also 18 backup subclips, depending on editor). If 4 clips (or 100) still seems too much to deal with, you can always (select-all) drag-n-drop the bunch into a timeline/sequence, and they should butt up against each other, or use the "automate to sequence" button for a rough "superclip". Once that's as you want it, you could either nest that sequence into another sequence (treating the superclip sequence as just another clip) or merge & render (and re-import if necessary) a 5th clip.
Most good NLEs understand how to work with AVCHD (MTS-style) type recorders, but you just have to follow their method of importing the whole STRUCTURE, rather than individual, independent files, for it to be able to take advantage of its hidden knowledge.

Scott

[Stile]

Thanks to all. The principle is completely clear now. I will check how Premiere handles spanned clips as soon as I shoot such long scene.

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