You can edit the mts file natively with FCP (I don't have FCPx to try) just by installing Panasonic's AVCCAM QuickTIme Codec. They have an installer on the Panasonic pro video site.

Now, it's not going to edit like ProRes footage because the NLE has to constantly build a frame from the entire GoP. But you don't have to waste any time transcoding and possibly change the character of the source footage.

Adobe has some transcoding issues too, check about "digital rain" with some settings. Currently they both don't have their act together with all of the flavors of H.264. But I agree that the need to transcode is very annoying with an up-to-date computer.

Aashay January 24 @crowbar, Although I don't use FCPX I can tell you one thing- It ain't Mr Driftwood's patches. Just look around threads to see different complex scenes shot beautifully with them patches. I have however read that FCPX does have some issues like the one you are describing.

Thanks for setting me straight Aashay! I am sorry I ever thought twice about this Apocalypse Now patch - all problems that I described a few posts previously were inside FCPX when hitting the play button even after fully rendered. The lesson here is that one should never judge these patches while playing inside FCPX if that is what you are using. Instead, judge your grading when in still/stop mode, export out and the play - everything will be fine. Today I went out and did some shooting with that patch at a bird sanctuary here on Maui. I had my GH3 but didn't even pull it out. I just viewed the MTS files from GH2 Apocalypse and man do they look fantastic! I am sold! Can't wait to post some links with sample footage from this patch. I just joined Vimeo Plus - seems to take forever for them to upload and process. By the way, I am curious, should I output as ProRes and let Vimeo handle the file or should I output with one of the preset options for social networks such as H.264 1080P for Vimeo. Which will yield the best results?

@jhonnyskulls Thanks for posting. This image quality/texture/look is just phenomenal here.

@driftwood Thanks again for your work on all the Apocalypse Now settings. I like Boom for a current project I'm working on. I think Apoc Now Intravenus 1 looks nice in shots done in the style seen by @shian. I also think Intravenus II looks great as seen here with the test done by @jhonnyskulls. Just amazing work you've done on this Apocalypse Now group of settings. All are pro level cinematic image types. Thank you

v6 for 45mbps cards. Those cards always prove troublesome with higher bitrate settings.

OK man well I keep learning here as I go. I am a newbie here so patience please - maybe others like me will find my experience valuable - I exported out an edit of the above mentioned clips and once outside of FCPX it looks so much better - all the crap is gone! So this whole issue seems to be a problem with the playback engine of FCPX. I am destined to learn Adobe software! Another observation is that when I played (with Movist) and compared the pure MTS files with the 5DtoRGB transcoded ProRes 422 files, I could see clearly that the MTS files were superior - makes me think I should use transcode to 422HQ until I learn Premiere and can just drop MTS right in. I just joined Vimeo and will upload an edit of this footage and then post the link here for any feedback on these issues when it is ready. Also wondering if there is any consensus on which high bit rate patch would work best as an all around best choice for Panny and Oly glass -are people happier with the newer Cinema Smooth versions than the earlier Apocalypse Now versions?

I have done some further tests - seems like I have the same problems in FCPX even with the Aquamotion v2 clips with regards to similar subjects - having lots of trees/foliage, rocks and certain buildings - basically moire issues if I try to label them. I just need to get out and shoot some more subjects with the Apocalyspe Now before I dismiss it as being inferior to Aquamotion and of course I am still wondering if any of this is a FCPX issue? Even the slightest bit of color correction creates the most nasty stuff with these subjects. With closer examination, the clips of this subject matter put down in the timeline without any manipulation at all will look the same as the clip up in the Event Library but they cannot handle any grading whatsoever - even the slightest color correction will create severe degrading of the image! Also wondering if any of this is related to using the Olympus 12mm f2.0 wide angle lens as this is a new toy for me - with that lens perhaps these moire issues are more extreme when shooting trees, rocks and buildings?

Cluster X Series updated on thread:-

http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/5806/cluster-x-series-settings#Item_4

I tried both the nebula cluster v7 6gop sharp2, which compared with the previous hacks I thought it best, both the cluster X in trial 2. The newcomer did not seem much better, but perhaps this judgment is dictated by the fact that the files are less manageable on my pc, but with the sharp cluster v7 2, there are no problems. I'll keep this.

using the drewnet cluster v9 and all i can say is wow.... its perfect for what i was looking for and the results are amazing. i use old school canon glass and the video look delicious. great noise performance, stable, i film for 2 hours straight with no breaks, skin looks amazing, really cinematic in look.

@mastroiani try canis majoris skin soft tone patch. see canis page for details. it really handles skin tones well.

I'e been testing v9 'DREWnet' Cluster Boom patch and I'm absolutely blow away with the results. Close-ups are very sharp and show immense details. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a patch that would be softer on actor's skin and more forgiving to blemishes. I'm using all legacy lenses, but it seems that every little skin pore is visible.

I'm wondering if Cluster v8 'DREWnet' 'cbrandin Cinema Smooth is better for skin, but not sure about overall quality. So many patches can get confusing.

Thanks to everyone involved in hacking and patching for making magic available to the rest of us.

Many thanks