Best way to import .mts files to iMovie?

[S4Shredr]

For some reason iMovie wont recognize my Sony HDR-SR12 camcorder and import the files directly, although iphoto has not problem. I have been able to use Handbrake to convert the .mts files to H.264/.mp4 files and import them to iMovie. This is method is very tedious and it seems that some video quality is lost. I was wondering if the h.264/.mp4 format is the highest quality conversion that I can do for 1080i into iMovie and if there is a faster way to perform a converstion and import the files?

Any help is appreciated.

[Baldrick]

I guess you have tried some solutions from http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=S50&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:eek:f...apple.com+mts+imovie .

[rumplestiltskin]

Double-check that you've set iMovie's prefs to -not- downsample the incoming video. By default, it will do this.

As for the conversion, use less compression (which, of course, means larger files). When you're done editing in iMovie, -that's when you apply compression. You might try, instead of Handbrake, something like ClipWrap and export to AIC (Apple Intermediate Codec) which iMovie (I'm assuming you're using v9?) can import easily. Very little compression, no apparent loss of quality.

[S4Shredr]

Thanks! I was looking for a program that could convert to AIC with no success, I think this will be the way to go. I am using v9 so I should be fine.

Now, is there something that I can download that will allow me to see thumbnails of the .mts files on my Mac before I convert them?

[rumplestiltskin]

Not sure. Do verify you have Perian installed asthat's always handy.