Will iMac & iMovie Play Well with RX100?

pricklypear · Jul 21, 2012

I've been following developments of the new Sony RX100. I'm very impressed and will probably buy it when Lightroom supports the RAW files.

One thing I'd like to do with the RX100 is learn how to use video.

I recently bought the entry level 21" iMac. Will iMovie 9.0.6 handle the AVCHD files? What about 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) with iMovie 9.0.6 ?

My plan is to make short movie clips, 1 - 4 minutes each, but I don't know anything about the software, file formats and how to best showcase the movies once I have them.

Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Thank you.

pricklypear · Jul 22, 2012

Short question: Will iMovie 9.0.6 accept the AVCHD files? If not, will it accept the MPEG-4 format?

Thanks.

pricklypear said:
I've been following developments of the new Sony RX100. I'm very impressed and will probably buy it when Lightroom supports the RAW files.

One thing I'd like to do with the RX100 is learn how to use video.

I recently bought the entry level 21" iMac. Will iMovie 9.0.6 handle the AVCHD files? What about 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) with iMovie 9.0.6 ?

My plan is to make short movie clips, 1 - 4 minutes each, but I don't know anything about the software, file formats and how to best showcase the movies once I have them.

Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Menneisyys · Jul 22, 2012

Both the OS X and the iOS versions of iMovie are only compatible with H.264 / MOV (aka M4V / M4V) and M-JPEG / AVI video streams / containers, respectively.

However, they have no problems reading and (without recompression!!!) importing 60p/60i MOV videos remuxed from MTS ones - among other things, that of the RX100. Just use iVI to quickly remux. You'll want to read http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/review-video-converter-ivi-pro-ipads-iphones on iVI itself and http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/playing-back-1080p60i60p-non-mov-videos-right-your-camera for more info on remuxing if you don't know what it exactly means. (Note that the latter article is iOS-specific; however, as you'll also need to remux your MTS files to MP4 / m4v / MOV ones, it'll also apply to you.)

Note that other remuxers may also work; I recommend iVI because it's very cheap and has always been able to process all my MTS files.

Also note that only the OS X version of iMovie is able to import interlaced contents (the RX100 also has a 17 Mpixel interlaced mode). The iOS version cannot. Of course, you'll want to deinterlace these videos first with a better tool (e.g., X264 or Episode. Make sure you use motion detection.) But it's always better not to use the interlaced mode on the RX100...

pricklypear said:
Short question: Will iMovie 9.0.6 accept the AVCHD files? If not, will it accept the MPEG-4 format?

Thanks.

pricklypear said:

I've been following developments of the new Sony RX100. I'm very impressed and will probably buy it when Lightroom supports the RAW files.

One thing I'd like to do with the RX100 is learn how to use video.

I recently bought the entry level 21" iMac. Will iMovie 9.0.6 handle the AVCHD files? What about 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) with iMovie 9.0.6 ?

My plan is to make short movie clips, 1 - 4 minutes each, but I don't know anything about the software, file formats and how to best showcase the movies once I have them.

Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Menneisyys · Jul 22, 2012

17 Mpixel interlaced mode should have been 17 Mbps interlaced mode, of course.

Menneisyys said:
Both the OS X and the iOS versions of iMovie are only compatible with H.264 / MOV (aka M4V / M4V) and M-JPEG / AVI video streams / containers, respectively.

However, they have no problems reading and (without recompression!!!) importing 60p/60i MOV videos remuxed from MTS ones - among other things, that of the RX100. Just use iVI to quickly remux. You'll want to read http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/review-video-converter-ivi-pro-ipads-iphones on iVI itself and http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/playing-back-1080p60i60p-non-mov-videos-right-your-camera for more info on remuxing if you don't know what it exactly means. (Note that the latter article is iOS-specific; however, as you'll also need to remux your MTS files to MP4 / m4v / MOV ones, it'll also apply to you.)

Note that other remuxers may also work; I recommend iVI because it's very cheap and has always been able to process all my MTS files.

Also note that only the OS X version of iMovie is able to import interlaced contents (the RX100 also has a 17 Mpixel interlaced mode). The iOS version cannot. Of course, you'll want to deinterlace these videos first with a better tool (e.g., X264 or Episode. Make sure you use motion detection.) But it's always better not to use the interlaced mode on the RX100...

pricklypear said:

Short question: Will iMovie 9.0.6 accept the AVCHD files? If not, will it accept the MPEG-4 format?

Thanks.

pricklypear said:

I've been following developments of the new Sony RX100. I'm very impressed and will probably buy it when Lightroom supports the RAW files.

One thing I'd like to do with the RX100 is learn how to use video.

I recently bought the entry level 21" iMac. Will iMovie 9.0.6 handle the AVCHD files? What about 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) with iMovie 9.0.6 ?

My plan is to make short movie clips, 1 - 4 minutes each, but I don't know anything about the software, file formats and how to best showcase the movies once I have them.

Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

pricklypear · Jul 22, 2012

Thank you for the detailed reply. I really think I'm in over my head as the language you use is Greek to me.

I'm not expert in the technical aspects of computers or digital still photography, and I have zero experience with video.

Even so I've managed to acquire a new iMac and Sony RX100. I've got an extreme learning curve ahead!

In the meantime, until I get myself up to speed, do you recommend that I use AVCHD or MPEG-4 to capture video on the RX100?

Is there another easy to use program I might look into for making short movie clips with music?

Any websites or books you can recommend for a beginner with equipment and objectives like mine?

I apologize for my ignorance.

Menneisyys said:
Menneisyys said:

Both the OS X and the iOS versions of iMovie are only compatible with H.264 / MOV (aka M4V / M4V) and M-JPEG / AVI video streams / containers, respectively.

However, they have no problems reading and (without recompression!!!) importing 60p/60i MOV videos remuxed from MTS ones - among other things, that of the RX100. Just use iVI to quickly remux. You'll want to read http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/review-video-converter-ivi-pro-ipads-iphones on iVI itself and http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/playing-back-1080p60i60p-non-mov-videos-right-your-camera for more info on remuxing if you don't know what it exactly means. (Note that the latter article is iOS-specific; however, as you'll also need to remux your MTS files to MP4 / m4v / MOV ones, it'll also apply to you.)

Note that other remuxers may also work; I recommend iVI because it's very cheap and has always been able to process all my MTS files.

Also note that only the OS X version of iMovie is able to import interlaced contents (the RX100 also has a 17 Mpixel interlaced mode). The iOS version cannot. Of course, you'll want to deinterlace these videos first with a better tool (e.g., X264 or Episode. Make sure you use motion detection.) But it's always better not to use the interlaced mode on the RX100...

pricklypear said:

Short question: Will iMovie 9.0.6 accept the AVCHD files? If not, will it accept the MPEG-4 format?

Thanks.

pricklypear said:

I've been following developments of the new Sony RX100. I'm very impressed and will probably buy it when Lightroom supports the RAW files.

One thing I'd like to do with the RX100 is learn how to use video.

I recently bought the entry level 21" iMac. Will iMovie 9.0.6 handle the AVCHD files? What about 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) with iMovie 9.0.6 ?

My plan is to make short movie clips, 1 - 4 minutes each, but I don't know anything about the software, file formats and how to best showcase the movies once I have them.

Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

pricklypear · Jul 22, 2012

on youtube and feeling rather pathetic at the moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY4ngOlAHD4

The kid seems to know his stuff, but I get the feeling it's not exactly what I need for my situation.

Menneisyys said:
Both the OS X and the iOS versions of iMovie are only compatible with H.264 / MOV (aka M4V / M4V) and M-JPEG / AVI video streams / containers, respectively.

However, they have no problems reading and (without recompression!!!) importing 60p/60i MOV videos remuxed from MTS ones - among other things, that of the RX100. Just use iVI to quickly remux. You'll want to read http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/review-video-converter-ivi-pro-ipads-iphones on iVI itself and http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/playing-back-1080p60i60p-non-mov-videos-right-your-camera for more info on remuxing if you don't know what it exactly means. (Note that the latter article is iOS-specific; however, as you'll also need to remux your MTS files to MP4 / m4v / MOV ones, it'll also apply to you.)

Note that other remuxers may also work; I recommend iVI because it's very cheap and has always been able to process all my MTS files.

Also note that only the OS X version of iMovie is able to import interlaced contents (the RX100 also has a 17 Mpixel interlaced mode). The iOS version cannot. Of course, you'll want to deinterlace these videos first with a better tool (e.g., X264 or Episode. Make sure you use motion detection.) But it's always better not to use the interlaced mode on the RX100...

pricklypear said:

Short question: Will iMovie 9.0.6 accept the AVCHD files? If not, will it accept the MPEG-4 format?

Thanks.

pricklypear said:

I've been following developments of the new Sony RX100. I'm very impressed and will probably buy it when Lightroom supports the RAW files.

One thing I'd like to do with the RX100 is learn how to use video.

I recently bought the entry level 21" iMac. Will iMovie 9.0.6 handle the AVCHD files? What about 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) with iMovie 9.0.6 ?

My plan is to make short movie clips, 1 - 4 minutes each, but I don't know anything about the software, file formats and how to best showcase the movies once I have them.

Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Menneisyys · Jul 23, 2012

1, use AVCHD as it's of much higher quality / effective resolution

2, get iVI and drag the MTS files in it. It should convert (=remux, meaning it just quickly changes the file format) them to MP4 files

3, import the newly-created MP4 files into iMovie.

pricklypear said:
Thank you for the detailed reply. I really think I'm in over my head as the language you use is Greek to me.

I'm not expert in the technical aspects of computers or digital still photography, and I have zero experience with video.

Even so I've managed to acquire a new iMac and Sony RX100. I've got an extreme learning curve ahead!

In the meantime, until I get myself up to speed, do you recommend that I use AVCHD or MPEG-4 to capture video on the RX100?

Is there another easy to use program I might look into for making short movie clips with music?

Any websites or books you can recommend for a beginner with equipment and objectives like mine?

I apologize for my ignorance.

Menneisyys said:

Menneisyys said:

Both the OS X and the iOS versions of iMovie are only compatible with H.264 / MOV (aka M4V / M4V) and M-JPEG / AVI video streams / containers, respectively.

However, they have no problems reading and (without recompression!!!) importing 60p/60i MOV videos remuxed from MTS ones - among other things, that of the RX100. Just use iVI to quickly remux. You'll want to read http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/review-video-converter-ivi-pro-ipads-iphones on iVI itself and http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/playing-back-1080p60i60p-non-mov-videos-right-your-camera for more info on remuxing if you don't know what it exactly means. (Note that the latter article is iOS-specific; however, as you'll also need to remux your MTS files to MP4 / m4v / MOV ones, it'll also apply to you.)

Note that other remuxers may also work; I recommend iVI because it's very cheap and has always been able to process all my MTS files.

Also note that only the OS X version of iMovie is able to import interlaced contents (the RX100 also has a 17 Mpixel interlaced mode). The iOS version cannot. Of course, you'll want to deinterlace these videos first with a better tool (e.g., X264 or Episode. Make sure you use motion detection.) But it's always better not to use the interlaced mode on the RX100...

pricklypear said:

Short question: Will iMovie 9.0.6 accept the AVCHD files? If not, will it accept the MPEG-4 format?

Thanks.

pricklypear said:

I've been following developments of the new Sony RX100. I'm very impressed and will probably buy it when Lightroom supports the RAW files.

One thing I'd like to do with the RX100 is learn how to use video.

I recently bought the entry level 21" iMac. Will iMovie 9.0.6 handle the AVCHD files? What about 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) with iMovie 9.0.6 ?

My plan is to make short movie clips, 1 - 4 minutes each, but I don't know anything about the software, file formats and how to best showcase the movies once I have them.

Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Cecco · Jul 23, 2012

Menneisyys said:
1, use AVCHD as it's of much higher quality / effective resolution

2, get iVI and drag the MTS files in it. It should convert (=remux, meaning it just quickly changes the file format) them to MP4 files

3, import the newly-created MP4 files into iMovie.

Great info, thank you very much. Knew about Clickwrap but never heard of iVI.

Concerning frame rate and interlace mode:

I found, that all 25 fps modes (have a PAL model), whether AVCHD or MP4, don't give me a smooth playback especially on scenes with slow panning. 50i and 50p works well. Unfortunately my Dune media player connected to my TV cannot play 50p, so I preferred to record in 50i. Never tried to edit 50i in iMovie but I assume it will either not work or at least won't preserve 50i on output. Do you have any experience with this?

Furthermore have you done simple edits (cuts/joins) without first reencoding to AIC (as iMovie does IMHO) on the Mac? I know Vegas Studio is capable of doing this but it is Windows only. I've read about a Mac Product from Auntsoft, but never tried it. Probably you can do it with stock Quicktime Player after remuxing the MTS files to MOV? What is your recommendation?

Menneisyys · Jul 23, 2012

50i/60i is a very nasty format when it comes to editing (and deinterlacing, which, when done right (with motion compensation), takes ages). Is there any way of updating / swapping your Dune player to something better? Even an iPad 1 would do as even it plays 1080p60 videos without problems.

Another method would be shooting in 50p (which produces FAR better results) and creating 50i content for your video player. It's a much easier and better approach than shooting in 50i and edit (incl. deinterlacing) that footage.

If you absolutely don't want to switch to recording in 50p, I elaborate on how deinterlacing / interlaced editing is done but, again, you should go in one of the two above-mentioned ways.

Cecco said:
Menneisyys said:

1, use AVCHD as it's of much higher quality / effective resolution

2, get iVI and drag the MTS files in it. It should convert (=remux, meaning it just quickly changes the file format) them to MP4 files

3, import the newly-created MP4 files into iMovie.

Click to expand...

Great info, thank you very much. Knew about Clickwrap but never heard of iVI.

Concerning frame rate and interlace mode:

I found, that all 25 fps modes (have a PAL model), whether AVCHD or MP4, don't give me a smooth playback especially on scenes with slow panning. 50i and 50p works well. Unfortunately my Dune media player connected to my TV cannot play 50p, so I preferred to record in 50i. Never tried to edit 50i in iMovie but I assume it will either not work or at least won't preserve 50i on output. Do you have any experience with this?

Furthermore have you done simple edits (cuts/joins) without first reencoding to AIC (as iMovie does IMHO) on the Mac? I know Vegas Studio is capable of doing this but it is Windows only. I've read about a Mac Product from Auntsoft, but never tried it. Probably you can do it with stock Quicktime Player after remuxing the MTS files to MOV? What is your recommendation?

zoranT · Jul 23, 2012

Some things (I also disagree to some extent with the suggestions made so far)

– out of cam mpg doesn t result in lower IQ per frame (compare video stills, not much difference at all), only movement is not as smooth as the AVCHD option (this is also dependent on the shutter speed though);

– I use ClipWrap, actually remuxing doesn t change the format, only the 'container' that can be read easier by Macs (otherwise it would take much longer) – however, if you use Movist player you can also play native AVCHD files

– for editing I use FCP X, it can work with AVCHD; conversion to pro RES is recommended, though;

so, for daily use on Macs, mpg is just fine for me, but for one given project I would stick to one chosen format (either mpg or AVCHD) – also, I never use and would never use interlaced, why the hussle?

pricklypear · Jul 23, 2012

Thank you for the reply zoranT!

I have no video editing experience, but I want to learn without breaking the bank or my brain. I've spent a fair amount of money on the new iMac (21" 4gb RAM) and the Sony RX100. So how to get the most out of this nice equipment? My goal is modest, I think: make good-looking video clips with music. No huge projects, just a few minutes in duration for each.

zoranT said:
Some things (I also disagree to some extent with the suggestions made so far)

– out of cam mpg doesn t result in lower IQ per frame (compare video stills, not much difference at all), only movement is not as smooth as the AVCHD option (this is also dependent on the shutter speed though);

Good to know.

zoranT said:
– I use ClipWrap, actually remuxing doesn t change the format, only the 'container' that can be read easier by Macs (otherwise it would take much longer) – however, if you use Movist player you can also play native AVCHD files

I don't know what remuxing or ClipWrap is? Movist player is for playing native AVCHD files, but I gather that's it...no editing, just a player?

zoranT said:
– for editing I use FCP X, it can work with AVCHD; conversion to pro RES is recommended, though;

FCP is Final Cut Pro, right? Is it fair to say that if I had FCP X that it would replace iMovie? It's pretty expensive.

And with FCP I wouldn't need to worry about converting AVCHD files when importing them to the Mac for editing?

Would a program like Adobe Premiere Elements 10 allow me to work with AVCHD files without the additional step/program of changing the "container?" Not as feature-rich, but appropriate for a beginner at a more reasonable price.

zoranT said:
so, for daily use on Macs, mpg is just fine for me, but for one given project I would stick to one chosen format (either mpg or AVCHD) – also, I never use and would never use interlaced, why the hussle?

Menneisyys · Jul 23, 2012

pricklypear said:
I don't know what remuxing or ClipWrap is? Movist player is for playing native AVCHD files, but I gather that's it...no editing, just a player?

See the above article - it just changes the format the video is in. Both iVI and ClipWrap help in doing this.

pricklypear said:
FCP is Final Cut Pro, right? Is it fair to say that if I had FCP X that it would replace iMovie? It's pretty expensive.

For your purposes (short music videos), FCP (X) would be a HUGE overkill. Even the iOS version of iMovie (or Avid Studio), running on an iPad 2/3, is capable of producing the videos you plan to shoot, let alone the three times more expensive OS X version of iMovie. (Which, BTW, may already be on your Mac.)

pricklypear said:
And with FCP I wouldn't need to worry about converting AVCHD files when importing them to the Mac for editing?

FCP (X) can't read MTS files either. That is, you'd end up having to remux them first.

zoranT · Jul 23, 2012

I have no experience with iMovie, only FCP x, which is considered the more feature-rich version of iMovie for semi-pros, but also has no steep learning curve, quite easy to handle IMO - and I m no video specialist (only artist working with video) - anyway, seems like for you the best is to start with mpg (which has 25fps in Europe) and any editor that is intuitive to use. Good Luck.

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Will iMac & iMovie Play Well with RX100?

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