How to convert Canon VIXIA AVCHD/MTS files?

If you have problems while transferring VIXIA MTS to Mac for editing or playing, you will need to transcode Canon VIXIA AVCHD to a format that is compatible with your Apple Computer, like QuickTime.

“Hey, all, I was wondering if you can help. I shot some 1080-60p MTS videos with a Canon VIXIA HF R400, and now I want to import the VIXIA HF R400 AVCHD footage to iMovie’11 on my new MacBook Pro (OS X Mavericks), but in my case I get a message saying the files are not of a suitable type. The interesting thing is that my daughter can import from my Legria to a Windwos PC successfully. Does anyone have any ideas how I can get over this problem, please? Regards.”

As a matter of fact, iMovie’11 has the ability to recognize lots of Canon VIXIA video cameras, including Canon VIXIA HF M30, Canon VIXIA HF M300, Canon VIXIA HF M32, Canon VIXIA HF M50, Canon VIXIA HF M500, Canon VIXIA HF M52, Canon VIXIA HF R100 , Canon VIXIA HF R11 , Canon VIXIA HF R30, Canon VIXIA HF R300, Canon VIXIA HF R32, Canon VIXIA HF R40, Canon VIXIA HF R400, Canon VIXIA HF R42, Canon VIXIA HF S10, Canon VIXIA HF S11, Canon VIXIA HF S20, Canon VIXIA HF S200, Canon VIXIA HF S21, Canon VIXIA HF S30 , Canon VIXIA HF10, Canon VIXIA HF100, Canon VIXIA HF11, Canon VIXIA HG20, Canon VIXIA HG21, and Canon VIXIA HR10. Unfortunately, iMovie does not support footage recorded in 1080-60p from some of these camcorders, such as VIXIA HF R400, VIXIA HF R42, and VIXIA HF R40. If you have problems while transferring VIXIA MTS to Mac for editing or playing, you will need to transcode Canon VIXIA AVCHD to a format that is compatible with your Apple Computer. To process Canon VIXIA AVCHD to QuickTime conversion, third party converter software is required, considering the ease of use and lossless output quality, we would recommend HD Video Converter for Mac, which runs great as a Canon VIXIA AVCHD Converter for Mac.

Download a free trial of Canon VIXIA AVCHD Converter for Mac

Mac Canon VIXIA AVCHD Converter: transfer VIXIA MTS to Mac for editing and playing

To be able to make Mac work with Canon VIXIA AVCHD footage, follow these steps:

1. Install and run Acrok HD Video Converter for Mac as a Canon VIXIA AVCHD Converter for Mac. When its main interface appears, click ‘Add Video’ to load your MTS files to the program (Please turn on your Canon Vixia camcorder and make sure your Canon Vixia camcorder is set to the right mode to import videos).

2. Select output format for use in QuickTime Player, iMovie, FCE, FCP (X), Avid, etc.

To create editable files for iMovie or Final Cut Express, from the Format bar, choose ‘Apple InterMediateCodec (AIC) (*.mov) as output format from ‘iMovie and Final Cut Express’ column. Note that the AIC codec is also accepted by Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro (HD 4.5 through 5), but rarely used in Final Cut Pro as of Version 6 since it now uses the ProRes codecs instead of the Apple Intermediate Codec.

To transcode Canon VIXIA AVCHD for Final Cut Pro X/7/6, from the the ‘Format’ bar, select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output from ‘Final Cut Pro’ column.

To be able to rewrap Canon VIXIA 1080-60p AVCHD files for Avid, from the ‘Format’ bar, choose ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format from ‘Avid Media Composer’ catalogue.

To generate playable files for QuickTime player, navigate to ‘HD Video’ and select ‘H.264 HD Video (*.mov)’ as output.

3. Click ‘Settings’ button and go to ‘Profile Settings’ window to custom video and audio settings. (for advanced users)

4. When ready, click ‘Convert’ to start transcoding Canon VIXIA MTS to QuickTime for use in QuickTime Player, iMovie, FCE, FCP (X), Avid, etc.

5. When the conversion process is done, click on ‘Open’ button to get the generated QuickTime files and open them on your Mac for editing or playing smoothly.