Video file converter help

[Pill]

I've searched the Internet and forums but really haven't found any (great) answers to my converter search.

I have .mts files (stored) on an external hard drive that need to be converted so I can work with them in Final Cut Express. I tried Handbreak with mixed results. I have no issues purchasing a converter but all the converters I find on the net seem to be made by the same company. Most of them seemed to be renamed or the GUI modified slightly.

I'm looking at Wondershare right now but I am curious what kind of converters other user's use and why. I know most everyone knows of one but I'm looking for comments from user's that use them.

I have another question that involves FCE but I will post a new topic.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[Kevriano]

Handbrake is really the best option, as you have found, the majority of these converters are one and the same, and very poor.
What format did you convert to in Handbrake? You can can perfect copies with the right settings.

 

[Pill]

I guess my problem with HandBrake is that I don't have the right settings.

I recorded my video using the following:

JVC HM1su (Recording/Playback format: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)
Record mode: XP 17 MBPS

I removed the files to my PC and stored them on an external harddrive. From there I used Windows Movie Maker to edit the clips. On my Laptop (older version of WMM) the videos came out decent. On my Workstation PC (new version of WMM) there was a lot of green screen interruption on the finished project.

For sometime I've wanted to move to the mac and thought I would use iMovie. After some research I decided to try my hand at Final Cut Express.

I've tried every file converter that could get my hand on. Most of them produced video with a lot of artifacts. Patching areas (clips are of a hockey game) that float around like clouds when the camera pans) and blurry edges to the players during some movements. Most of the conversion was to M4v and mov.

I was able to work with mov in final cut express but the final product looked like crap due to the bad conversion.

I gave handbrake a try after reading your last post. I get the same results regardless of what settings I have tried. Now there are thousands of possibilities but I tried about 10 different combinations. Based on having .mts files and my recording settings do you have any recommendations as to what settings I should use in HandBrake?

FCE doesn't seem to like my .m4v files (settings). I'm at a bit of a loss. Most of the information I've come across isn't related to my issue. Also, are there FCE settings or preferences that Im missing?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Kevriano]

I do have some settings, yes, they are for ultra high quality, and the encoding will take time, but they are worth it.
I will come back to you later, as I need to look on my main Mac, not my laptop.