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Panasonic MTS, M2TS files - can't replay from SD

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 5:08 pm
by sparky
Earlier this year I bought a Panasonic HDC-TM60 camcorder.

This records AVCHD to internal memory (effectively built-in SDHC card) or a SDHC card.

The main video files as recorded are titled ******.MTS

When copied to / edited on the PC using the Panasonic software the extension changes to ******.M2TS

Using the camcorder it is not possible to write back to either the internal memory or a SDHC card.

If I use a card reader to copy M2TS or the original MTS files back to the SDHC card the camcorder does not see the files.

I want to do this to watch on my TV not PC, in any case PC will not play back smoothly as Panasonic software says it is too low specification.

With the software I can convert to DVD but then 720x576 resolution not 1920x1080....

Any ideas folks......


Re: Panasonic MTS, M2TS files - can't replay from SD

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 6:17 pm
by sparky
Maybe a media player like this (ebay item 200914767992) is the solution.

Does anybody have one and if so are do all, or at least nearly all file formats, actually play?
Also is the picture quality reasonably given the price?

Several years ago I bought a DVD player that was supposed to AVI, MP4 etc but of the files I had on disc it refused more than it played hence it went straight back to the shop.....


Re: Panasonic MTS, M2TS files - can't replay from SD

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 6:27 am
by videokim
Go to https://www.freemake.com which is a free converter, you can do basis editing on this & if you want to watch your bits in HD its best to render them in MPEG4 1080p which is then abled to be edited in both Windows & Apple computers.

You can burn your material straight unto DVD if you wish using this prog, it has endless format settings & tweaking the options you can make it even better.

To play your AVCHD file straight of go to http://www.vlcmediaplayer.net this is a media player which plays anything thrown in it...have fun.


Re: Panasonic MTS, M2TS files - can't replay from SD

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 7:37 am
by Peter
sparky wrote:


> Using the camcorder it is not possible to write back to either
> the internal memory or a SDHC card.

Most camcorders don't allow video in, something to do with differing import duties for cameras and recorders.


>
> If I use a card reader to copy M2TS or the original MTS files
> back to the SDHC card the camcorder does not see the files.

From memory, .MTS files are notoriously finicky about the file structure they use, if it goes wrong, the whole thing gets screwed up.

The idea behind this is you import directly from a connected camera into your computer editing software, then do your fiddling and export a file or burn a DVD.

Can't help beyond that, i'm afraid.


Re: Panasonic MTS, M2TS files - can't replay from SD

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:21 pm
by one eyed jack
I have the Edius 6 pro which can convert and use any format on the same time line in native but I covert my bts stuff from .MOV and M2T files to render HDV so that I can use it on Premiere which is why I havent upgraded to CS6 yet


Re: Panasonic MTS, M2TS files - can't replay from SD

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:39 pm
by sparky
Kim,
Thanks for your suggestions regarding editing and players for the computer.

I guess I didn't make my original post clear enough.
What I am wanting to do is copy files edited on the PC back to the SD card then watch on my TV using the camcorder as the player.

I can watch the raw footage until I delete it from either the internal memory or the SD card. I can not find a way of watching edited files, or even raw footage once copied off the camcorder internal memory or SD card then deleted, copied back to the SD card.


Re: Panasonic MTS, M2TS files - can't replay from SD

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:42 pm
by sparky
Thanks for your comments about software for editing.

Please see my reply to Kim regarding what I'm trying to do.


Re: Panasonic MTS, M2TS files - can't replay from SD

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:50 pm
by sparky
Peter,

Yes indeed many Hi8 & DV camcorders were set not to record from line in / DV, often there were two models with identical hardware but one sold for less money as it had line in / DV in disabled e.g. JVC GR-DVP5 & GR-DVP7

I'm not trying to record from line in but simply use my camcorder as a player for edited footage.

I'm sure you are right that the folder layout plus additional indexing files created when recording and not reproducible are the issue.


Re: Panasonic MTS, M2TS files - can't replay from SD

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 3:20 pm
by rgb
I have a Panasonic HDC - TM300 which is a similar twin memory camera, but is about 4 years old now. It came with Panasonic's HD Writer AE software which allows basic editing in M2TS and then lets you copy the edit back to an SD card in the PC's card slot. This is then readable when put back into the camera. Just tried it - it seems to work.


Re: Panasonic MTS, M2TS files - can't replay from SD

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 4:30 pm
by sparky
RGB,

Thanks, this is exactly what I was trying to do but
a)
I'll look again but I couldn't see the option to write back to SD card in the HD writer AE software - what version do you have?
b)
When connecting USB before blanking the camcorder screen displays 'read only' and the same is stated in the manual.

Maybe write-back is only a feature of higher level camcorder models?