I took a MTS file (AVCHD - 1080i/50 - Panasonic SD700) and imported it into MC5.5.3. It did not matter whether I change the import settings to 601/709 or RGB, I got exactly the same result. With the RGB setting on import, I would have expected a remap from 0-255 to 16-235 but it doesn't happen - the luminance values above 235 are still there. I've hunted around some of the threads on this but I couldn't find anything explicitly related to this. I can't try AMA because I'm on MC5.5. Surely, this isn't right or have I missed something here?

Thanks

When you import it's not  afst import is it?

If you allow the fast import your import settings are ignored.

If that's the case you can ignore the option to fast import and then have a slow import with correctly mapped levels.

Or gain fromt he fast import and add a color correction to re-map levels.

No, it's not a fast import, Pat, as it's straight AVCHD into MC. This is what I discovered (1080i/50 footage - MC5.5.3):

1. If I take a AVCHD file straight into MC, irrespective of whether I have 601/709 or RGB set on the import, it makes no difference. Luminance range is 0 to 255.

2. If I take the same file, convert it to a QT file with the DNxHD codec using FFMBC:

(a) With 601/709 settings I get a fast import. The luminance range of 0 to 255 remains untouched. That's what I would expect.

(b) With the RGB import, it slows down a lot during the import and it remaps from 0 to 255 -> 16 to 235. Again, that is exactly what I would expect.

3. If I take a 1080p/50 AVCHD file, generate a 1080i/50 QT with the DNxHD codec using Squeeze 8.5, and import it into MC, then it behaves exactly like in (2) which is what I would expect.

4. If I take a 1080i/50 AVCHD file, generate a 1080i/50 with the DNxHD codec using Squeeze 8.5, and import it into MC, then it then it behaves exactly like in (2) which is what I would expect.

5. If I take an ordinary MOV file, not with the DNxHD codec, and import into MC, then it behaves exactly like in (2) which is also what I would expect.

It seems to me that the only thing that is failing is (1) i.e. AVCHD files are coming in untouched into MC irrespective of import settings. Not a major problem for me as I like to colour correct using the full luminance range, and depending on where the film is going, compress or not as necessary, but it may be an issue for others. I don't think it's my machine because I'm using Squeeze and FFMBC which give the results that I would expect. Also, MC does what it's supposed to with other files except direct imports of AVCHD files.