How to convert Hero 6 240 fps H.265 video to ProRes?


People who import Hero 6 240 fps H.265 video into FCP X have reported lots of black image issues. This mainly because FCP X doesn’t have support for H.265 HEVC codec currently. To be able to work with Hero 6 240 fps H.265 videos in FCP X flawlessly, you will need to convert them first. In this article, we explain how to transcode Hero 6 240 fps H.265 video to ProRes codec for use in FCP X with optimum performance.

Having issues with Hero 6 H.265 video in FCP X
“Hi all, I received a GoPro Hero 6 last week and noticed that Final Cut Pro X doesn’t support its 240fps files encoded with H.265 codec. This is quite annoying. What is your workflow? Is there anything I can do to get FCP X recognizing Hero 6 240 fps H.265 video? What do you recommend? Thanks for any advice.”

For now, FCP X features no support for H.265 (also known as HEVC) format. Transcoding to ProRes is a good workaround. Note that different flavors of ProRes have different quality levels in order from lowest to highest:

  • ProRes 422 Proxy.
  • ProRes 422 LT.
  • ProRes 422.
  • ProRes 422 HQ.
  • ProRes 4444.

Note that file size increases along with quality. To maintain the highest quality of the H.265 I would probably choose 422 or 422HQ. Check a quick guide on how to encode Hero 6 240 fps H.265 video to ProRes 422 for FCP X editing.

How to convert Hero 6 240 fps H.265 video to ProRes for FCP X?

Here’s what you need
HD Converter for Mac (it works well as an HEVC H.265 Converter for FCP X)
Hero 6 240 fps H.265 video in FCP X

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Install this HEVC H.265 Video Converter software on your computer, launch it and click ‘Add File’ to ingest your source media.
import HEVC video to FCP X

Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for opening with FCP X
From the ‘Profile’ menu, move to ‘Final Cut Pro’ catalogue, and select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as target format. Apple ProRes is the best suited editing code for FCP X. When loading them into FCP, you needn’t wait for a long time for rendering.
import Hero 6 240 fps H.265 video to FCP X
Important: If you’ve loaded a number of video clips to do batch conversion, please do remember ticking off ‘Apply to All’ option before you start.

Step 3: Custom video and audio settings (for advanced users)
Click ‘Settings’ button, the ‘Profile Settings’ window pops up, on which you are allowed to custom video and audio parameters like bit rate, frame rate, resolution, sample rate, and audio channels.

Step 4: Start transcoding Hero 6 240 fps H.265 video to Apple ProRes for FCP X
When ready, click ‘Convert’ to transcode HEVC H.265 files to Apple ProRes for using with FCP X. You can tick off ‘Shut down computer when conversion completed’ and go away to do other things.

Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ button to locate exported ProRes files
As soon as the conversion process finished, simply click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the generated Apple ProRes files. Now you are able to open them in Final Cut X for further editing without any hassles.

Also read
How do you edit DJI H.265 footage in FCP X?
HEVC in FCP X-issues editing HEVC video in FCP X
H.265/HEVC AMA plugin for Avid Media Composer
4K HEVC on HDTV-convert 4k H.265 for Samsung/LG/Sony HDTVs