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Editing AVCHD Footage on MacBook Pro 13" advice

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erickbrettson
Posts: 335 - Karma: 64

i was wondering how well a macbook pro 13" with 4gb of ram, and a 2.66 ghz processor runs avchd footage in final cut express. i am in the process of upgrading from a pc and i'm tired of how slow editing is on one.

Apr 17 2010 9:30PM
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erickbrettson
Posts: 335 - Karma: 64
AVCHD is the Devil!!
Apr 17 2010 9:30PM
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mattyb.
Posts: 6042 - Karma: 2,197
I'm guess you are using a somewhat newer model kind of small HD handicam. First plug it into your computer and sync it. Then in FC goto LOG AND TRANSFER, not 100% what tab its under, its more toward the left though. Not sure if final cut express has it, the regular final cut may only have it. If everything is working a new box will pop up showing all the clips on your cam. You can watch them, re-name them, and what not. Once you have selected the files you want to bring to your computer select ADD TO QUEUE. Then the computer will go through each clip and convert it to a file type compatible with MACs. Haven't done this in a while, but I should have gotten all my fact straight.
Apr 17 2010 9:58PM
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Jwenz
Posts: 8893 - Karma: 7,634
i dont think FCE supports AVCHD. needs to be converted elsewhere. I would check the interweb for more information. Otherwise do what mattyB said to do with FINAL CUT PRO. Just use torrents to get fcp
Apr 18 2010 12:14AM
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Milksteak
Posts: 9948 - Karma: 833
Use Imovie to import them.
Apr 18 2010 12:33AM
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ski-swagga
Posts: 5276 - Karma: 219
or iPhoto.
Apr 18 2010 12:44AM
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erickbrettson
Posts: 335 - Karma: 64
FCE 4 HD does support avchd
Apr 18 2010 1:20AM
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kate59588
Posts: 1 - Karma: 10

While Final Cut does not edit AVCHD natively, it is still a simple procedure to utilize the AVCHD footage. In Final Cut you would open your log and transfer window and import the footage as Pro Res 422 which, while it creates larger files, is a great codec to edit with.Final Cut Express 4 support AVCHD.Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac is designed for converting HD video formats from HD camcorders or DVs (like JVC, Panasonic, Sony and Cannon)

Jun 12 2010 3:08AM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
i edit on my imac using FCP 7 with the log and transfer. prob the easiest way. if you dont want to get fcp/final cut express doesn't support AVCHD, use iphoto to import or clipwrap or mpeg streamclip to convert.
Jun 12 2010 11:10PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
FCE 4.0 supports avchd
Jun 13 2010 5:57PM
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freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
buy a PC, problem solved.

Personally   CS5 > FCP
Jun 13 2010 6:01PM
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StevenR
Posts: 1372 - Karma: 33
You can get CS5 on a Mac to you know.

And Final Cut Express 4 does support AVCHD.
Jun 13 2010 6:23PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,335
This is my kind of woman.
Jun 13 2010 6:40PM
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freestyledork
Posts: 345 - Karma: 17
yeah I know. I just don't like how everything on a mac is closed source. Everything on a PC is a lot more open source.

just my thoughts.

I use FCP for school and CS5 at home. So I have experience in both.
Jun 14 2010 11:13AM
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