Edit ALEXA Mini HD/2K/4K UHD video in iMovie, FCPX, Avid


This post is written for people who are having issues working with ALEXA Mini HD, 2K, 4K UHD video in iMovie, FCP X and Avid. It displays a workaround to transcode ALEXA Mini video to AIC/ProRes/DNxHD .mov for use in iMovie/FCP X/Avid with optimum performance.

The ARRI ALEXA Mini digital motion picture camera packs a whole lot of firepower into a super compact, carbon-fiber body optimized for use on brushless gimbals, drones and other run-and-gun applications. This brand new 4K Alexa camera can record in a wide variety of formats including HD, 2K, and 4K UHD and can also spit out native resolution outputs like uncompressed ARRIRAW 2.8K or ProRes 3.2k.
working with ALEXA Mini HD, 2K, 4K, or UHD video in iMovie, FCP X and Avid
ARRI ALEXA Mini Features Highlights

  • 35mm format Arri ALEV III CMOS sensor
  • Maximum frame rate of up to 200 fps
  • In-camera recording to CFast 2.0 memory cards
  • 4K ProRes recording (3840×2160) or uncompressed ArriRAW format video up to 30 fps
  • Interchangeable lens mount (EF, B4 and PL)
  • Remote control via Arri’s Electronic Control System and Wi-Fi
  • Built-in motorized ND filter

Recording formats include:
HD 1920×1080
2K Cine 16:9 2048×1152
2K Cine 4:3 2048×1536
3.2K 3200×1800
4K UHD 3840×2160
ARRIRAW 2.8K 16:9 2880×1620
ARRIRAW 2.8K 4:3 2880×2160

Recording codec include:
ProRes 4444XQ, 4444, 422 (HQ), 422, 422(LT), ARRIRA

If for some reason you need to convert ARRI ALEXA Mini recordings for iMovie/FCP X/Avid editing, you can read on to learn a step-by-step guide talking about how to encode ALEXA Mini video to AIC/ProRes/DNxHD .mov for use in iMovie/FCP X/Avid with optimum performance.

Software Requirement
HD Video Converter
transcode ALEXA Mini video to AIC/ProRes/DNxHD .movALEXA Mini and iMovie/FCPX/Avid workflow

[Guide] ALEXA Mini and iMovie/FCPX/Avid workflow – How to rewrap ALEXA Mini footage to MOV for editing via AIC/ProRes/DNxHD codec?

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open up HD Video Converter as a ALEXA Mini Video Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load your source media.
convert ALEXA Mini video for iMovie/FCE

Step 2: Select output format for your editing program
To convert ALEXA Mini video for iMovie, from ‘Profile’ list, choose ‘Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘iMovie and Final Cut Express’ column. This profile is also suitable for use in the discontinued Final Cut Express.
transcode ALEXA Mini files for FCP X

To transcode ALEXA Mini files for FCP X, select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column. The ProRes codec is also workable in its former version FCP 6 and FCP 7.
encode ALEXA Mini footage for use in Avid

To encode ALEXA Mini footage for use in Avid, from ‘Profile’ list, select ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Avid Media Composer’ column.
encode ALEXA Mini footage for use in Avid
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 (optional)
If necessary, you can click ‘Settings’ button and go to ‘Profiles Settings’ panel to modify video and audio settings like video encoder, resolution, video bit rate, frame rate, aspect ratio, audio encoder, sample rate, audio bit rate, and audio channels. 3D settings are also available.

Step 4: Begin ALEXA Mini Video Conversion
When ready, click ‘Convert’ to start format conversion. Once the conversion process is complete, you can click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the generated AIC MOV files, ProRes MOV files or DNxHD MOV files for editing in iMovie, FCP X or Avid with optimum performance.

Tips:
If you don’t want to wait for the entire conversion process, you can tick off ‘Showdown computer when conversion completed’ and go away to do other things.

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