My lovely husband bought me a sweet new video camera...a Canon Vixia hf20. I am loving the video capabilities within the camera, but I have yet to figure out how to 'do' anything with the video. The camera came with software (Image mixer 3). Ultimately, I would love to be able to burn dvd's of the video and also would love to be able to share small clips in places like facebook or my blog. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do any of this. I have been able to get the video from the camera to my computer using teh image mixer program, but the only way I can access the video is using that program and the most I can do is view it...not burn it or share it. The file that the Vixia creates is an "mts" file that, so far, I have not been able to convert. I'm frustrated to say the least, and am hoping maybe someone here can help??

Any input is greatly appreciated!

Kristin

You can upload to Smugmug and share them.

There are a handful of programs which can edit mts files but from what I read, it's still easier to convert them into something else for editing. I'm only beginning as well and tried a few trials to edit mts files and I haven't been convinced by any of them.

BTW, I can read MTS files in Windows Media Player. It just gives some codec error/warning when I open a new files but it works.

This doesn't answer most of your questions but fun tip:

I have a Vixia HF100 and if I rename the .MTS to .MP4 and then upload to SmugMug they work.

Makes me wish SmugMug would simply recognize the .MTS to begin with since it is accepting and working with the same exact file renamed.

I'Ve uploaded mts files directly to Smugmug without problem.

Originally Posted by Erick L I'Ve uploaded mts files directly to Smugmug without problem.

Using which uploader?

Old Faithful.

Ah ok. Old Faithful allows any file to be selected. The regular uploader won't let you select .MTS files.

They don't call it faithful for nothing.

Originally Posted by BrownJELO My lovely husband bought me a sweet new video camera...a Canon Vixia hf20...Ultimately, I would love to be able to burn dvd's of the video and also would love to be able to share small clips in places like facebook or my blog...the most I can do is view it...not burn it or share it. Kristin

I am a bit late to this party but I think I can help you ... or at least point you in the right direction.
Here is my method for moving MTS and M2TS files onto MP4 and then to MP2for DVD. It's 20 steps from start to finish. It looks intimidating but it's really not. I promise.
This tutorial is done on a mac using M2TS (Sony) but all the apps are freely available for PC and the same steps would apply with the exception of the sudo'ing steps on the mac.

You can incorporate chapters, extract clips, etc., using the command line tools but that is beyond the scope of this lesson.

You will need:
Handbrake 32-bit or 64-bit (GUI or Command Line version)
ffmpeg (PC) / ffmpegX (Mac) (GUI and command line version)
DOS Prompt / Terminal (PC or Mac)

------------------- Mac OS X Leopard Instructions -----------------
1. Acquire your MTS or M2TS file from the camcorder.
2. Use Handbrake 32-bit or 64-bit with "Regular -> Normal" setting except
UNcheck CABAC entropy coding in the advanced panel.
3. Change picture size to 720x400 (anamorphic "loose") --- just set
it to 720 and the rest handles itself.
3a. - Set bit rate to about 4500 kbps. If the file is too small, try
again with up to 6000 kbps bitrate.
4. Start the transcoding --- it could take a while depending on
content and whether you single-pass it.
5. End up with an MP4 file.
6. Now, go download ffmpegX (Mac) (click ffmpegX to get the file)
7. Control-click the ffmpegX app after you install it.
8. Click on "Show Package Contents" and navigate into the Resources folder.
9. Copy ffmpeg into /usr/local/bin using your terminal
10. Execute the following commands in Terminal

sudo chown root:wheel /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg
sudo chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg

11. Now ffmpeg is usable as a command line app via the Terminal
It would be a good idea to also extract faac, mpeg2enc, x264,
mencoder, mplex, and ffmpeg2 as well and do the same commands.
12. Now, take the MP4 into the ffmpeg command line: For arguments
sake, let's assume the MP4 you just made is Vacation.mp4. Type all on one line:
ffmpeg -i Vacation.mp4 -y -target ntsc-dvd -b 6000 -s 720x400 -padtop 40
-padbottom 40 -padcolor 000000 -ab 192k Vacation.mpg

You just told ffmpeg to take Vacation.mp4 and turn it into an ntsc-dvd
with 6000 kbps bitrate, scale screen to 720x400, put 40 pixels of
black bars across top and bottom, and set audio bitrate to 192 kbps.
-padtop, -padbottom -padcolor are optional. I discovered that it will
properly stretch to a HDTV if you don't include the padding.
However, if you are viewing on a 4:3 tv, you would need black bars to
stretch the people back out.

13. Next you need to demux the files into mp2 audio and mp2 video
using the command line assuming the file you just created is named
Vacation.mpg:
ffmpeg -i Vacation.mpg -vcodec copy -f mpeg2video Vacation.m2v -acodec
copy -f mp2 Vacation.mp2

You just told it to force mpeg2video (mpeg 2) and force mp2 audio
codec and save as separate files. These will now be muxed together
again in the next step.

14. In ffmpegX (the actual Mac GUI app), go to Tools, click "mux", and add
the video and audio 1 files. Mux as DVD, and author as DVD (Video_TS)
& click "Mux"
15. Rename the Disk Image. (The Mux operation put the DVD.img in with
the folder containing VIDEO_TS.)
16. Finally, click the "img" button in ffmpegX, select the entire
folder containing VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS. Click "Go"
17. Now, to make infinite duplications of the disk, open up Disk
Utilities inside your Applications -> Utilities folder.
18. Drag the new DVD.img icon to the bottom left of the window on the
left of that app.
19. Click the image once, and go up to the menu to select "Burn"
20. Eject, slap it into a DVD player and go.

If this is a big MTS or M2TS file it could take a few hours.
Also, you might want to adjust the bitrate down from 6mbps if the file is too big. After the trial and error period, you will be able guess what bitrate you can get away with.

Handbrake 0.94 can also convert MTS and M2TS files straight to iPod / iPhone. Essentially one click and done.

Originally Posted by Erick L I'Ve uploaded mts files directly to Smugmug without problem.

I thought the .mts file format was not a supported file format? Yooo hooo smugerificsssss?

Originally Posted by RichardBrackin I am a bit late to this party but I think I can help you ... or at least point you in the right direction. Here is my method for moving MTS and M2TS files onto MP4 and then to MP2for DVD. It's 20 steps from start to finish. It looks intimidating but it's really not. I promise. This tutorial is done on a mac using M2TS (Sony) but all the apps are freely available for PC and the same steps would apply with the exception of the sudo'ing steps on the mac. You can incorporate chapters, extract clips, etc., using the command line tools but that is beyond the scope of this lesson. You will need: Handbrake 32-bit or 64-bit (GUI or Command Line version) ffmpeg (PC) / ffmpegX (Mac) (GUI and command line version) DOS Prompt / Terminal (PC or Mac) ------------------- Mac OS X Leopard Instructions ----------------- 1. Acquire your MTS or M2TS file from the camcorder. 2. Use Handbrake 32-bit or 64-bit with "Regular -> Normal" setting except UNcheck CABAC entropy coding in the advanced panel. 3. Change picture size to 720x400 (anamorphic "loose") --- just set it to 720 and the rest handles itself. 3a. - Set bit rate to about 4500 kbps. If the file is too small, try again with up to 6000 kbps bitrate. 4. Start the transcoding --- it could take a while depending on content and whether you single-pass it. 5. End up with an MP4 file. 6. Now, go download ffmpegX (Mac) (click ffmpegX to get the file) 7. Control-click the ffmpegX app after you install it. 8. Click on "Show Package Contents" and navigate into the Resources folder. 9. Copy ffmpeg into /usr/local/bin using your terminal 10. Execute the following commands in Terminal sudo chown root:wheel /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg sudo chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg 11. Now ffmpeg is usable as a command line app via the Terminal It would be a good idea to also extract faac, mpeg2enc, x264, mencoder, mplex, and ffmpeg2 as well and do the same commands. 12. Now, take the MP4 into the ffmpeg command line: For arguments sake, let's assume the MP4 you just made is Vacation.mp4. Type all on one line: ffmpeg -i Vacation.mp4 -y -target ntsc-dvd -b 6000 -s 720x400 -padtop 40 -padbottom 40 -padcolor 000000 -ab 192k Vacation.mpg You just told ffmpeg to take Vacation.mp4 and turn it into an ntsc-dvd with 6000 kbps bitrate, scale screen to 720x400, put 40 pixels of black bars across top and bottom, and set audio bitrate to 192 kbps. -padtop, -padbottom -padcolor are optional. I discovered that it will properly stretch to a HDTV if you don't include the padding. However, if you are viewing on a 4:3 tv, you would need black bars to stretch the people back out. 13. Next you need to demux the files into mp2 audio and mp2 video using the command line assuming the file you just created is named Vacation.mpg: ffmpeg -i Vacation.mpg -vcodec copy -f mpeg2video Vacation.m2v -acodec copy -f mp2 Vacation.mp2 You just told it to force mpeg2video (mpeg 2) and force mp2 audio codec and save as separate files. These will now be muxed together again in the next step. 14. In ffmpegX (the actual Mac GUI app), go to Tools, click "mux", and add the video and audio 1 files. Mux as DVD, and author as DVD (Video_TS) & click "Mux" 15. Rename the Disk Image. (The Mux operation put the DVD.img in with the folder containing VIDEO_TS.) 16. Finally, click the "img" button in ffmpegX, select the entire folder containing VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS. Click "Go" 17. Now, to make infinite duplications of the disk, open up Disk Utilities inside your Applications -> Utilities folder. 18. Drag the new DVD.img icon to the bottom left of the window on the left of that app. 19. Click the image once, and go up to the menu to select "Burn" 20. Eject, slap it into a DVD player and go. If this is a big MTS or M2TS file it could take a few hours. Also, you might want to adjust the bitrate down from 6mbps if the file is too big. After the trial and error period, you will be able guess what bitrate you can get away with. Handbrake 0.94 can also convert MTS and M2TS files straight to iPod / iPhone. Essentially one click and done.

WHY????

I export AVCHD files to 264, 1920 x 1080, then manually rename the extension to .mp4, and I'm done...

Originally Posted by ChancyRat WHY???? I export AVCHD files to 264, 1920 x 1080, then manually rename the extension to .mp4, and I'm done...

Short answer: DVD players won't play an .mp4.

Long answer: I'm not exactly sure what your point is when you say you are finished in the context of the question that was presented; and I don't endorse renaming your .mp4 to .mp2 and expecting a happy ending.

The OP asked how to go from MTS to DVD. I answered her.
I'm on a Mac. I don't have Nero (which probably does exactly what I just listed except through a GUI for the entire process).

My procedure gives as much (or as little) granular control as one wants over every aspect of the conversion from MTS/M2TS to mp4 and on to mp2 and finally to DVD.

Most Respectfully
Richard

Originally Posted by RichardBrackin Short answer: DVD players won't play an .mp4. Long answer: I'm not exactly sure what your point is when you say you are finished in the context of the question that was presented; and I don't endorse renaming your .mp4 to .mp2 and expecting a happy ending. The OP asked how to go from MTS to DVD. I answered her. I'm on a Mac. I don't have Nero (which probably does exactly what I just listed except through a GUI for the entire process). My procedure gives as much (or as little) granular control as one wants over every aspect of the conversion from MTS/M2TS to mp4 and on to mp2 and finally to DVD. Most Respectfully Richard

Pardon my ignorance, I did not know DVD players won't play an .mp4. The "I'm done" meant that once I have an .mp4, I've got what I need. Now I see that's not enough for the problem described, which I did not understand.

Originally Posted by ChancyRat Pardon my ignorance, I did not know DVD players won't play an .mp4. The "I'm done" meant that once I have an .mp4, I've got what I need. Now I see that's not enough for the problem described, which I did not understand.

I forgot -- there may be one mp4 codec that will play on a dvd player - DivX (MP4 pt2)
It's just a matter of going through the gyrations of changing the mp4 codec from h.264 over to DivX.
I don't deal with DivX so I'm not sure.

No worries.

A less verbose write-up is: (Starting with a 16:9 Vacation.MTS)
1 - Use Handbrake to convert the MTS to MP4
2 - Make an mpeg2: ffmpeg -i Vacation.mp4 -y -target ntsc-dvd -b 6000 -s 720x400 -padtop 40 -padbottom 40 -padcolor 000000 -ab 192k Vacation.mpg
3 - Demux mpeg2: ffmpeg -i Vacation.mpg -vcodec copy -f mpeg2video Vacation.m2v -acodec copy -f mp2 Vacation.mp2
4 - Remux audio/video in ffmpegX GUI app
5 - Create DVD (AUDIO_TS VIDEO_TS) in ffmpegX GUI app
6 - Create disk image in ffmpegX GUI app (you can also convert to a real ISO in OS X terminal)
7 - Burn the DVD image to DVD, lather, rinse, repeat.

Originally Posted by RichardBrackin I forgot -- there may be one mp4 codec that will play on a dvd player - DivX (MP4 pt2) It's just a matter of going through the gyrations of changing the mp4 codec from h.264 over to DivX. I don't deal with DivX so I'm not sure. No worries. A less verbose write-up is: (Starting with a 16:9 Vacation.MTS) 1 - Use Handbrake to convert the MTS to MP4 2 - Make an mpeg2: ffmpeg -i Vacation.mp4 -y -target ntsc-dvd -b 6000 -s 720x400 -padtop 40 -padbottom 40 -padcolor 000000 -ab 192k Vacation.mpg 3 - Demux mpeg2: ffmpeg -i Vacation.mpg -vcodec copy -f mpeg2video Vacation.m2v -acodec copy -f mp2 Vacation.mp2 4 - Remux audio/video in ffmpegX GUI app 5 - Create DVD (AUDIO_TS VIDEO_TS) in ffmpegX GUI app 6 - Create disk image in ffmpegX GUI app (you can also convert to a real ISO in OS X terminal) 7 - Burn the DVD image to DVD, lather, rinse, repeat.

I have DivX on my computer and it does play mp4 files. It was the only player I could find other than the Sony Motion Picture Browser, that will play them. After I make the mp4 file on PE7 (which names it as .mts) and then rename it to .mp4, it plays without a hitch on DivX. Very nice audio quality too.

The DVD standard is for MPEG2 video only. However many DVD players today will play DivX & other variants of MPEG4. The very cheap region-free players seem to play the widest variety of file types.

Alternatively once the file is in MP4 format just drop it into the DVD authoring or creation program of your choice. Toast on the Mac will handle all the necessary encoding & burn to DVD while for Windows Nero & every other major DVD authoring package can do the same.

You no longer have to convert the mts files before upload. http://release-notes.blogs.smugmug.c...tes-bug-fixes/