The Avchd Workflow On Apple Computers; Editing And Outputting Avchd With Apple Final Cut Pro; Transferring Avchd Footage To Your Mac - Panasonic AG-AF100A Manual

The AVChD WorkfloW on Apple CompuTers

Apple Intel based Mac computers (MacBookPro laptops, iMac or Mac Pro Towers) work really well with Panasonic
AVCCAM cameras shooting AVCHD footage. Working on a Mac platform presents four editing solutions, based on your
budget and the complexity of your final edit. The four editing applications are: iMovie '(08 or '09), Final Cut Express 4,
Final Cut Pro (v.6.05 or higher, Part of Final Cut Studio) and Adobe Premier Pro as part of CS4.
This paper will discuss a typical AVChD workflow for editing with and outputting from final Cut pro 7. There are
new tools in FCP 7 that make it very easy to output to Blu-ray, DVD, iPod, and You Tube. Finally, we will look at various
archiving options including copying your content onto a hard drive, a Blu-ray or DVD disc.
eDiTing AnD ouTpuTTing AVChD
WiTh Apple finAl CuT pro 7
keY poinT #1. To eDiT AVChD in finAl CuT pro 7 You musT hAVe An inTel bAseD mAC CompuTer.
keY poinT #2. finAl CuT pro 7 Does noT supporT nATiVe AVChD eDiTing. iT Will AuTomATiCAllY
TrAnsCoDe Your fooTAge During The log AnD TrAnsfer proCess. Please remember that transcoded
AVCHD files require a lot more disc space than native AVCHD files. A good rule of thumb is to figure that transcoded
files take about from 4 to 5 times the disc space of native AVCHD files, depending upon the editing application and
codec chosen. So, look at the size of your native AVCHD file before the log and transfer operations in Final Cut Pro 7. It
is possible to overrun your hard disc space during this process, so again, it is good practice to calculate the disc space
your footage will need before beginning.
When using FCP7 you will be transcoding into the Apple ProRes 422 (LT) codec, which supports full-width 10-bit video
sequences, but at a target data rate even lower at 100 Mbps or less. It balances incredible image quality with small file
sizes, and is perfect for digital broadcast environments where storage capacity and bandwidth are often at a premium.
The low data rate of Apple ProRes 422 (LT) makes it an excellent choice for transcoding complex camera codecs like
AVCHD. The only exception to the idea of using ProRes LT is where the output will be to another high-end codec like
AVC-Intra. In this case, use the ProRes HQ during the transcode and edit.

TrAnsferring AVChD fooTAge To Your mAC.

When you are ready to transfer your AVCHD footage from your camera to your computer, the fastest and easiest method
is to simply place your camera in PC mode and connect to MAC via a USB cable. Or, remove your SDHC card from the
camera for use in an external SDHC card reader.
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