How to transfer Nikon D5500 video to Mac for editing in iMovie, FCE, FCPX


How can I transfer Nikon D5500 MOV files to Mac for editing on iMovie, Final Cut Express and FCP X? Read this post to find a solution. It explains a way of converting Nikon D5500 H.264 files to AIC/ProRes encoded MOV format for editing on Mac smoothly.
transfer Nikon D5500 MOV files to Mac
On the subject of video recording, the Nikon D5500 has the same specification as the Nikon D5300 and Full HD 1920 x 1080 recording is possible at 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p wrapped in an MOV container. The D5500 MOV video files are encoded in H.264 codec, a most advanced codec that compresses video in highest compression ratio which is quite suitable for capture and delivery, but not fit for editing. If you are planning on transferring Nikon D5500 MOV files to Mac for editing through iMovie, Final Cut Express or Final Cut Pro X in a fast and fluid way, we do recommend transcoding the D5500 H.264 files to AIC .mov for use in iMovie/FCE and convert D5500 MOV to ProRes 422 .mov for editing in FCP X. The Apple InterMediate Codec/ProRes is the best suited editing codec for iMovie/FCE and FCP X, which they will recognize and handle very well.

To process file conversion, third party converter software is required, considering the ease of use and excellent output quality, we do recommend HD Video Converter for Mac. This app comes with optimal format presets for iMovie, FCE and FCPX, which ensures a quick, stable and smooth workflow. In addition to iMovie, FCE and FCP X, it is able to create editable files for Avid Media Composer, Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, etc. You can download a demo to see if it works as advertised. It is not free, but it is totally worth it.

converting Nikon D5500 H.264 files to AIC/ProRes MOV

How to convert Nikon D5500 H.264 MOV files for editing in iMovie, FCE and FCP X?

Before we start, you may want to know more about the video recording capability of the D5500.

Nikon D5500 Video Recording Capability

Movie format

MOV: Image: H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding;

Audio: Linear PCM (Stereo)

Video Recording Modes

Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps

Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 50 fps

Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 30 fps

Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 25 fps

Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 24 fps

HD 1,280×720 / 60 fps

HD 1,280×720 / 50 fps

VGA 640×424 / 30 fps

VGA 640×424 / 25 fps

Working as a D5500 H.264 Converter for Mac, this app is able to convert D5500 MOV files to AIC and ProRes encoded MOV files for use in iMovie, FCE and FCP X fluidly with lossless quality. You can follow the step-by-step guide below to process format conversion.

Step 1: Open up HD Video Converter for Mac as a Nikon D5500 Video Converter for Mac. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load your source media.
transcoding the D5500 H.264 files to AIC .mov for iMovie/FCE

Step 2: Select output format for your editing program
To convert Nikon D5500 video for iMovie/FCE, from ‘Profile’ list, choose ‘Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC)(*.mov)’ as output format under ‘iMovie and Final Cut Express’ column.
convert D5500 MOV to ProRes 422 .mov for FCP X

To transcode D5500 MOV 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.
Nikon D5500 Video Converter for Mac
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 Nikon D5500 H.264 to MOV Conversion on Mac
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 or ProRes MOV files for editing in iMovie, Final Cut Express or FCP X 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.

Related posts
Edit Nikon D5300 MOV files in iMovie and Final Cut Express
How can I edit Canon EOS 100D/Rebel SL1 MOV in FCP X?
Is it possible to edit Canon G1 X Mark II MP4 in iMovie/FCE?
Transfer Canon R400 AVCHD to Mac FCE and iMovie for editing
How to import and edit Nikon D7000 MOV in iMovie and FCP X