Sony HDR-HC3 camera won't connect in HD mode in iMovie HD or FCP HD

After recording your holiday videos using for example Sony DSC-HX5V, it would be nice to make a great home movie for sharing with family & friends. Sony HX5V is able to record 60 fields-per-second videos at 1080i (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) resolution with Dolby Digital stereo audio, using AVCHD compression. <br /><br />Regarding editing camcorder footage AVCHD files from Sony HX5V, the latest FCP 7 and iMovie 11 claims to give full support for the format but many people have experiencing difficulties either with importing process or output files. <b><a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/final-mate-mac/">Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac</a></b> is released for Mac users to better handle camcorder footage in a much easier and quicker way: <br />- Capture AVCHD MTS/M2TS files from camcorder <br />- Merge/Split in Timeline and <b>Convert to Apple ProRes codec for FCP</b> <br /><br />Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac is highly recommended to Mac users who are experience enormous inconvenience with AVCHD, TOD & MOD files from HD camcorder. It helps you directly capture video footages from Sony DSC-HX5V and then <b>Convert to Prores 422 MOV or AIC MOV without rendering on FCP/iMovie</b> on Mac. <br /><br />Here is the step-by-step guide for you to <b><a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/mac_convert_sony_dsc-hx5v_avchd_mts_to_apple_prores_for_fcp/">Import and Convert Sony DSC-HX5V MTS to Apple ProRes for Final Cut Pro</a></b> on Mac OS X. <br /><br />1. Capture/Import Sony HX5V AVCHD files to Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac. <br />There are two ways to import videos to Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac: you can directly capture video recordings from camcorder to the program or you can browser videos from your computer. <br /><br />- Capture Sony HX5V AVCHD videos from camcorder. <br />Connect camcorder to computer via USB cable, and then launch Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac in Application folder. With built-in wizard, you can easily to capture mts video files from HX5V to the program. Select "Import" instead of Backup to quickly capture videos from camcorder. You can find imported videos under Camcorder tab in the main interface of Final Mate. <br /> <br />- Import Sony HX5V mts videos from computer. <br />If you have already backup all your video recordings from HX5V to your computer, you can browse your video path and the software will automatically show your AVCHD clips in Resource tab. <br /><br />2. <b>Merge Sony DSC-HX5V AVCHD files into one movie for conversion</b>. <br />Click the drop-down button of "Add Movie" icon and choose "For Conversion" to create a blank movie. <br /> <br />Once you've imported your video footage, drag and drop the video clips from Camcorder Tab (imported from your camcorder) or Resource Tab (imported from your computer) to the blank movie in Movies Tab. In this way, all video clips will be merged as one single movie for conversion. <br /> <br />3. <b><a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/final-mate-mac/">Convert Sony HX5V MTS files to ProRes Codec MOV</a></b>. <br /><br />Click the Export button and choose "Export into Editor". Follow Final Cut Pro&gt; Apple ProRes 422 HQ (*.mov) to choose export format for further editing in Final Cut Pro. Or you can also choose QuickTime Movie Format &gt; Apple Intermediate Codec (*.mov) for editing in FCE/iMovie. Click OK to start converting HX5V MTS files to ProRes MOV. <br /> <br />When the conversion process is done, you can directly <b><a href="http://sony-mts-converter.com/2011/06/import-and-convert-sony-dsc-hx5v-avchd-mts-to-apple-prores-codec-mov-for-final-cut-pro-on-mac-os-x/">Import the output ProRes MOV files to FCP for editing</a></b> and make your great home movies. <br /><br />You may also want to know how to <a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/mac_convert_sony_hdr-tg5v_avchd_to_apple_intermediate_codec-aic_for_fce-imovie/">convert AVCHD to Apple Intermediate Codec</a> for iMovie/FCE or <a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/mac_merge-join_sony_cx360v_avchd_without_conversion_for_playback_on_dune_hd_player/">merge AVCHD without re-encoding</a> to preserve original quality.

Sony Handycam HDR-XR550V records your memories and snap 12.1-megapixel photos directly to the massive 240GB hard disk drive (HDD). The shooting quality of the HDR-XR550V is impressive and naturally lives up to its flagship status and price. In line with Blu-ray formats in the market, recording is supported up to 24Mbps. High definition videos are recorded at 1920 x 1080 resolutions primarily to the in-built HDD. Picture quality was sharp and crisp, a result which was equally pleasing when viewing on a HD monitor or TV. <br /><br />Many people say Sony HDR-XR550V is the best hard drive camcorder from Sony at the moment and its excellent performance has won hearts of many customers. A lot of our customers use Sony HDR-XR550V for recording family videos, such as holiday vacation at east coast beach, your children?s birthday party or your pet?s playing video. In most cases, they want to do some basic editing and make great home movies to preserve their memories with highest quality. <br /><br />For windows users, it might be not such a problem as bundled software from Sony Picture Motion Browser is capable of basic editing and output videos to BD/DVD or upload to YouTube. But <b>How do you edit AVCHD on Mac OS X</b>? <br /><br />Final Cut Pro 6.0.1 update adds AVCHD transfer capabilities but is everything ok now? <br /><br />Apple's own Final Cut Studio 2 suite had a minor update for Final Cut Pro to version 6.0.1 which added the capability to transfer the AVCHD footage. But is everything really so promising for Mac users? I guess not. We?ve been receiving complaints and problems from our customers about their frustrating experience with AVCHD on final cut pro 6 or 7. <br /><br />Is there a simple and useful tool for Mac users to handle AVCHD for smooth editing in FCP without rendering? <br /><br />Aunsoft Studio nearly released product on Mac OSX <b><a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/final-mate-mac/">Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac</a></b> is specifically designed for camcorder users to easy <b><a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/final-mate-mac/">handle, convert, share, playback AVCHD, TOD & MOD</a></b> high definition videos. <br /><br />In the article, I will take Sony HDR-XR550V as an example to show how to convert AVCHD MTS/M2TS video footage to Apple ProRes for smooth editing in Final Cut Pro 6 & 7. <br /><br />1. Capture/Import Sony XR550V AVCHD files to Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac. <br />There are two ways to import videos to Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac: you can directly capture video recordings from camcorder to the program or you can browser videos from your computer. <br /><br />- Capture Sony XR550V AVCHD videos from camcorder. <br />Connect camcorder to computer via USB cable, and then launch Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac in Application folder. With built-in wizard, you can easily to capture mts video files from XR550V to the program. Select ?Import? instead of Backup to quickly capture videos from camcorder. You can find imported videos under Camcorder tab in the main interface of Final Mate. <br /> <br />- Import Sony XR550V mts videos from computer. <br />If you have already backup all your video recordings from XR550V to your computer, you can browse your video path and the software will automatically show your AVCHD clips in Resource tab. <br /><br />2. Merge Sony DSC-XR550V AVCHD files into one movie for conversion. <br />Click the drop-down button of ?Add Movie? icon and choose ?For Conversion? to create a blank movie. <br /><br />Once you?ve imported your video footage, drag and drop the video clips from Camcorder Tab (imported from your camcorder) or Resource Tab (imported from your computer) to the blank movie in Movies Tab. In this way, all video clips will be merged as one single movie for conversion. <br /><br />3. <b><a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/sony_hdr-xr550v_review_-_convert_avchd_to_apple_prores_for_editing_in_fcp/">Convert Sony XR550V MTS files to ProRes MOV</a></b>. <br />Click the Export button and choose ?Export into Editor?. Follow Final Cut Pro&gt; Apple ProRes 422 HQ (*.mov) to choose export format for further editing in Final Cut Pro. Or you can also choose QuickTime Movie Format &gt; Apple Intermediate Codec (*.mov) for editing in FCE/iMovie. Click OK to start converting XR550V MTS files to ProRes MOV. <br /><br />When the conversion process is done, you can directly import the output ProRes MOV files to FCP for editing without rendering and make your great home movies. <br /><br />The steps above are also applied to other AVCHD camcorders developed by Sony, Panasonic, Canon or JVC brands. <br /><br />Featured product from Aunsoft Studio Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac is the ideal companion for camcorder users who also use Mac machine to easy <b><a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/final-mate-mac/">convert AVCHD to Apple ProRes</a></b> Codec. <br /><br />Tip: You may also be interested in converting <b><a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/mac_convert_sony_hdr-tg5v_avchd_to_apple_intermediate_codec-aic_for_fce-imovie/">AVCHD to Apple Intermediate Codec</a></b> for editing in iMovie or Final Cut Express or <b><a href="http://www.aunsoft.com/mac_merge-join_sony_cx360v_avchd_without_conversion_for_playback_on_dune_hd_player/">merge AVCHD without re-encoding</a></b> to preserve original quality.

Most Canon VIXIA HF series and other VIXIA series camcorders record video in high definition using a special codec (compression/decompression) called AVCHD, for example, Canon VIXIA HF11, VIXIA HF R11, VIXIA HF200, VIXIA HF R100, etc store videos in HD format using AVCHD compression and the files have MTS extension. For Mac users, it's virtually impossible to edit Canon VIXIA AVCHD footage natively in FCP due to different video codec and taking large space.

But also some of Canon VIXIA HF series camcorders can support iMovie' 09 or iMovie' 11. You can check the list of Canon VIXIA HF camcorders compatible with iMovie' 09 as follows:
Canon VIXIA HF M30, VIXIA HF M300, VIXIA HF R100, VIXIA HF R11, VIXIA HF S20, VIXIA HF S21, VIXIA HF S200

So if you would like to edit Canon VIXIA AVCHD video in FCP, you need to convert these AVCHD MTS files to FCP supported video format like MOV, MP4, DV, then you can import them to FCP for editing.

Doremisoft Canon VIXIA to FCP Converter is specially designed for Mac users to convert camcorder video like Canon VIXIA video, Sony HDR video, Panasonic HDC video, etc to Final Cut Pro MOV/MP4/DV. It also supports converting video including MTS/M2TS/TS/TRP(AVHD H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2 HD), MKV, etc to MOV, MP4, AVI, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, MPG, DV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, WMV, etc.

Doremisoft Mac AVCHD Converter not only have the ability to convert HD videos to SD (Standard Definition) format, but also the ability to convert SD to HD which contains MPEG2-HD, MPEG4-HD, H.264-HD and more. More editing functions of Canon VIXIA to FCP Converter you can see edit AVCHD MTS/M2TS Files on Mac OS.

Before you import Canon VIXIA videos to FCP to edit them, the following easy guide can help you convert Canon VIXIA AVCHD MTS/M2TS files to MOV, DV or MP4 for FCP.

Step1: Add Canon VIXIA Video Files
Click "Add File" to upload your chosen Canon AVCHD MTS, M2TS files to Canon VIXIA to FCP Converter after you lauched it.

Step2: Set Output Video Format for FCP
Click "Profile" to open the Profile drop-up list to select MOV, MPEG-4 or DV as output video format for FCP on Mac OS. And you also can convert Canon VIXIA MTS files to iMovie, Quicktime, iDVD, iPod, iPhone, etc.

Step3: Convert Canon VIXIA Video to FCP
Click "Start" to convert Canon VIXIA videos to FCP, and you can edit your these converted AVCHD files with FCP on Mac OS X after converting finished.

Related: How to convert AVCHD(MTS,M2TS) to DV on Mac?
How to Convert and Edit Canon VIXIA HF200, VIXIA HF R11, VIXIA HV30 Video to iMovie?

Sony HDR series Camcorders are High Definition Models, which store video in AVCHD MTS/MPEG-2. As a kind of popular HD camcorder, Sony HDR series own several hot family members including Sony HDR-XR150, HDR-XR500V, HDR-CX110, HDR-CX150, HDR-FX7, etc. Sony HDR series Handycam is lightweight, recording in high definition with good video quality, easy to use.

If you decide to select one, now, the following list of Sony HDR Series Camcorders you can check:
Sony HDR-CX Series: HDR-CX100, HDR-CX110, HDR-CX120, HDR-CX150, HDR-CX300, HDR-CX500V, HDR-CX550V, etc.
Sony HDR-SR Series: HDR-SR12, HDR-SR11, HDR-SR7, HDR-SR100, HDR-SR200, HDR-SR10E, HDR-SR12E, etc.
Sony HDR-XR Series: HDR-XR100, HDR-XR150, HDR-XR200, HDR-XR350V, HDR-XR550V, HDR-XR200E, etc.
Other Sony HDR Series: HDR-HC7, HDR-HC9E, HDR-FX7, HDR-FX7E, HDR-UX10, HDR-UX20, HDR-AX2000, HDR-TG5, HDR-TG5E, etc.
(Some of Sony HDR Camcorder Compatible with iMovie' 09) http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3290

Owing to Sony HDR Handycam recording video in AVCHD MTS/MPEG, or miniDV, for Mac users, you cannot directly import these MTS, MPEG, miniDV video to Mac to edit with iMovie, FCP, etc.
If you want to convert and import Sony HDR video to Mac, how to do that?
Sony HDR Video Converter for Mac is the best solution to tansfer Sony HDR video like AVCHD MTS, MPEG2, miniDV, etc to MOV, MP4, M4V, 3GP, H.264 for Mac. With this AVCHD Converter for Mac, you can easily convert camcorder video such as MTS, M2TS, TOD, MOD, MPEG, etc to MOV, MP4, AVI, 3GP, FLV, MPEG-4, MP3, etc for Mac, iMovie, Quicktime, iDVD, FCP, FCE, Adobe Premiere Pro, iPad, iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, Youtube, etc.

Quick Guide to Convert Sony HDR Video to Mac, iMovie, Quicktime Step by Step
Step One: Import Sony HDR Video
Click "Add File" to add your Sony HDR AVCHD MTS or MPEG-2 files to Mac AVCHD Converter after you launched it. You can upload several videos one time.

Step Two: Set Output Video Format for Mac
Click "Profile" to open the Profile drop-up list to select MOV, or MP4 as output video format for Mac OS, Quicktime, iMovie, FCP, FCE, etc.

Step Three: Convert Sony HDR Video
Click "Start" button to convert Sony HDR video like AVCHD MTS/M2TS, MPEG-2, miniDV files to Mac. After conversion finished, you can enjoy converted Sony HDR video on Mac or edit these videos with iMovie, FCP, Adobe Premiere Pro, etc.

More Tips: How to convert and import Sony DCR Series video to Mac, iMovie?
How to convert/import Panasonic HDC series to Mac and edit Panasonic HDC Video in iMovie, FCP?

MTS format is high-definition MPEG, AVC, H.264 transport stream video file format which commonly used by HD camcorders such as Sony, Canon, Panasonic, JVC. HD camcorder makes use of MTS in the form of AVCHD, a format for recording and playback of high definition video.
Nowadays, most digital camcorders record videos in AVCHD MTS/M2TS format that is a high-definition and high quality video format.

Here you can check the list of some popular HD camcorders recording video in AVCHD MTS/M2TS format including Canon, Sony, Panasonic and JVC as follows:

Canon HF10, HF100, VIXIA HF S100, VIXIA HG21, VIXIA HF200, VIXIA HF S200, VIXIA HF M300, HG20, HG21, IVIS HF M31, IVIS HF R10
Sony HDR-SR1, HDR-SR10, HDR-XR100, SDR-SR10, HDR-SR11, HDR-XR100, HDR XR-500V, HDR-TG1, HDR-CX7, HDR-SR5, HDR-CX7
Panasonic HDC-SD60, HDC-SD100, HDC-SD200, HDC-HS100, HDC-HS350, HDC-HS700, HDC-TM35, HDC-TM350, HDC-TM700, HDR XR-500V
JVC GZ-HD10KR, GZ-HD30, GZ-HD40, GZ-HM200, Everio HD10, Everio GZ-MG130

HD camcorder owners can enjoy HD video with their HD camcorder, however, original AVCHD MTS, M2TS files cannot be directly imported to Mac. So for Mac users, if you want to import MTS/M2TS video to FCP(a highly-regarded video editing, compositing, and special effects package for the Macintosh) on Mac for editing, you have to convert MTS/M2TS files to MOV, MPEG-4, DV for FCP firstly.

Doremisoft MTS to FCP Converter for Mac is the best software to convert original MTS, M2TS files to Final Cut Pro with good quality. It can transfer MTS video to MOV, MP4, M4V, AVI, DV, 3GP, etc and other HD videos like HD MP4, HD MOV, etc. With this AVCHD Converter for Mac, you can convert MTS video to FCP, FCE, iMovie, Quicktime, iTunes, iDVD, iPad, iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, PSP and so on.

Easy Tutorial for you to convert MTS/M2TS files to FCP on Mac here:

Step1: Import MTS, M2TS Files to Mac MTS Converter
Click the "Add File" to upload your chosen AVCHD MTS, M2TS files to MTS to FCP Converter for Mac after you lauched it.

Step2: Set Output Video Format for FCP
Click "Profile" to open the Profile drop-up list to select MOV, MPEG-4, or DV as output video format for FCP on Mac OS. And you also can convert MTS files to iMovie, Quicktime, iDVD, iPod, iPhone, PS3, Blackberry, etc.

Step3: Convert MTS Files to FCP
Click "Start" to convert AVCHD MTS, M2TS videos to FCP on Mac. you can edit your converted MTS, M2TS files with FCP on Mac OS X after converting finished.

Related: How to Convert MTS, M2TS to iMovie for Editing?
How to Convert Panasonic HDC Series to Mac and Edit Panasonic HDC Video in iMovie, FCP?

Transfer/Edit Sony HDR-TG3 1080i AVCHD Videos on Windows/Mac

Sony Handycam HDR-TG3E is a super small camera with full HD recording on Memory Stick in 2008. It includes 4GB and 10x optical zoom for capturing 1920x1080 and 1440x1080 videos. However, this camera does not include progressive recording mode, which indicates that the HD videos are 1080i. Even though it is compact camera, the audio is recorded in Dolby Digital 5.1ch. You can also take 2.3Mp stills while you are recording video footage.
Sony HDR-TG3E features:
- 1920x1080i HD video recording
- 4 megapixel still photo recording
- Dual Rec simultaneous 2.3 megapixel still photo during video recording
- Handy face detection
- Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens
- ClearVid CMOS Sensor and Exmor derived technology
Videos from Sony HDR-TG3E:
Movie Format:
- High Definition: AVCHD (1920 x 1080, 1440 x 1080) in .mts filename extension
- Standard Definition: MPEG2 in .mpg filename extension
Movie Quality:
- HD: FH (1920x1080i, 16Mbps) / HQ (9Mbps) / SP (7Mbps) / LP (5Mbps)
- SD: HQ (9Mbps) / SP (6Mbps) / LP (3Mbps)

Transfer & Edit Sony HDR-TG3 AVCHD videos:
For Windows users:
Install the Picture Motion Browser (PMB) from the bundled CD in box, and connect Sony HDR TG3 to PC via USB cable. Use Sony PMB to download HD .mts videos from camcorder to PC.
For Mac users:
You can capture and transfer Sony HDR-TG3 1080i videos to iMac/MacBook Pro via iMovie after connecting camera to computer with USB cable. However, you may face problem when trying to log and transfer AVCHD videos from Sony Handycam HDR-TG3E to Final Cut Express (FCE) 4 or Final Cut Pro (FCP) 5. After transferring HD .mts videos from camera to computer hard drive, just run Aunsoft MTS/M2TS Converter for Mac as the Mac Sony HDR-TG3 MTS converter to deinterlace .mts videos and convert .mts to .mov for FCE and FCP, if you want to edit HD videos.
Alternative way to transfer HDR TG3 videos for Mac and PC:
Just connect HDR TG3 pocket camera to computer via the USB cable, and the HDR TG3 will display as a hard drive on computer. Navigate to the HDR TG3 hard drive to access the memory stick.
Tips: Sony Handycam HDR-TG3E is the model for Europe, and Sony Handycam HDR-TG1 is the model for US.