.MTS/AVCHD -> FCP ready footage?

[makemassair]

Hi.

Recently started working with a new client who is using a Sony HDR-XR200 Handycam and is sending me .MTS files for editing. I've read the manual and it doesn't cover this at all.

I'm on OSX 10.5 and was looking for a way to preview the original direct from camera .MTS files. The excellent VLC player strikes again and I can preview audiovisual on my machine.

Looking at the quality presented and the quality that my converted (Prores 422) file is confusing me. I have lost quite noticable quality.

I'm using VoltaicHD to convert (it seems to be one of a few recommended tools for this job) and the options for transcoding to a new codec for the files are few. So for the previous few videos and following the comments surrounding the workflow:

.MTS -> Prores 422

Basically I have tried as much as possible to mirror the original .MTS file into a usable format for editing with Final Cut Pro. I have also tried transcoding to Prores 422 (HQ) but can see no noticeable improvement over the Prores 422 video file.

What am I doing wrong? Is it not possible to get the quality of the original files into a usable format?

I've attached 2 screenshots, one from VLC Player and one from the converted Prores 422 (HQ) Quicktime movie. (The QT movie has been fit to screen due to the transcoded video being square pixels at 1920x1080 rather than 1440x1080i, but you can see the difference)

Since I have been typing this I have also converted to AIC at HDV 1080i and seems to be a similar quality. Addtionally I have noticed that both the Prores and AIC files are slightly darker than the MTS original. The gamma has been adjusted it seems in the transcoding.

screenshots at
http://www.makemassair.co.uk/myspace...creenshots.zip

Any help would be greatly received.

[David]

You might look at ClipWrap2.

But where are you viewing the footage that has been transcoded?

Is it in the canvas in FCP, the viewer, QT or what?