Convert MTS/M2TS clips for Adobe Premiere Pro


If you are looking for a way to import MTS/M2TS clips to Adobe Premiere for further editing, you are in the right place. This post displays an easy workaround to transcode MTS/M2TS files to DNxHD/ProRes .mov for use in Premiere Pro smoothly.

MTS is a file extension for an AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) video clip format for high-definition video. Its original extension is m2ts, but on flash cards you can have only 3 characters so they shorten it to .mts.

A good workflow for AVCHD footage and Premiere is to make sure you copy the entire folder structure from memory card to hard drive. Do not use Sony conversion utility software. Then in Premiere, import using the Media Browser, NOT “file > import”. Media Browser will access the metadata to better understand and interpret the files you are importing, especially when sometimes audio and video might be in different folders.

If you didn’t keep the AVCHD structure intact but moved out the individual files from the folder structure, you would end up with un-useable .mts/.m2ts streams that need to be transcoded prior to importing into Premiere Pro. Here’s a guide walking you through the process of converting .mts/m2ts files for use in Adobe Premiere.

How to encode .mts/m2ts files for Premiere Pro editing?

Software requirement
HD Video Converter
import MTS/M2TS clips to Adobe Premieretranscode MTS/M2TS files to DNxHD/ProRes .mov

Follow these steps:
Step 1. Start up HD Video Converter as the best .mts/m2ts Converter for Premiere. When its main interface pops up, click ‘Add File’ button to import your source files.
workflow for AVCHD footage and Premiere
Useful tips:
1. This Converter supports batch conversion, so you can load multiple video files to it for conversion at a time.
2. By ticking off ‘Merge’ option, you can combine the selected clips into a single file.

Step 2: Select output format for your NLE
If you are running Premiere on a Windows PC, you can go to ‘Profile’ list and select ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Avid Media Composer’ column.
converting .mts/m2ts files for use in Adobe Premiere
Important: If you’ve loaded a number of video clips to do batch conversion, please do remember ticking off ‘Apply to All’ option before you start.

If you are using Premiere Pro on a Mac, you can select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column.
encode .mts/m2ts files for Premiere Pro

In addition to DNxHD and ProRes, you can also select ‘MOV (AVC) (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Adobe Premiere/Sony Vegas’ option.

encode .mts/m2ts files for Premiere Pro
This method is also available when you want to edit .mts/m2ts in After Effects and Sony Vegas.

Step 3: Custom video and audio settings
If necessary, you can click ‘Settings’ button and go to ‘Profiles Settings’ panel to modify video and audio settings like video encoder, resolution, video bit rate, frame rate, aspect ratio, audio encoder, sample rate, audio bit rate, and audio channels. 3D settings are also available.

Step 4: Start .mts/m2ts to MOV Conversion
When ready, click ‘Convert’ to start format conversion. As soon as the conversion is complete, you can click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the exported MOV files for use in Adobe Premiere with optimum performance. Nothing could be simpler or more immediate.

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