In this post, you are able to free download Sony XAVC/XDCAM plugin for FCP X, which provides supports for XDCAM / XDCAM HD / XDCAM EX and XAVC files recorded on Sony SxS memory cards, so that you can easily play and edit Sony XAVC / XDCAM/ XDCAM HD / XDCAM EX media in Final Cut Pro X without incompatible issues.
To be able to import Sony XAVC, XDCAM, XDCAM HD, and XDCAM EX media into Final Cut Pro X, you’ll need to download and install the XAVC/XDCAM Plug-in for Apple (PDZK-LT2) provided by Sony. After correctly installed this camera import plugin, you can use ‘Camera Import’ function in FCP X to preview and import XAVC and XDCAM / XDCAM HD / XDCAM EX clips recorded on SxS cards.
Follow this link to free download XAVC/XDCAM plugin for FCP X
Important:
1. Version 1.1 of this plug-in requires Final Cut Pro 10.0.8 or higher for XAVC format and Final Cut Pro 10.0.6 or higher for XDCAM / XDCAM EX format.
2. Version 1.2 of this plug-in requires Mac OS X 10.9 and Final Cut Pro 10.1 or later.
3. For all other supported OS, please use version 1.1. That is to say, if you are using earlier versions of Mac OS X and Final Cut Pro, you should use version 1.1 of XAVC/XDCAM Plug-in for Apple.
What are Sony XAVC/XDCAM plugin supported cameras?
CineAlta Camera Series:
Sony PMW-F55 and Sony PMW-F5
XDCAM Series:
PMW-500/400/300/200/160/150/100/1000/50, XDS-PD2000/PD1000/1000 and PDW-HR1, PDBK-MK1
XDCAM EX Series:
PMW-350/320/TD300andPMW-F3/EX3/EX1R/EX1/EX30
Is there a way to import XAVC/XDCAM media to FCP without plugin?
Yes, there is. On some occasions, the Sony XAVC/XDCAM plugin for FCP X doesn’t work well as expected. In that case, we would consider transcoding Sony XAVC/XDCAM/XDCAM EX footage to an intermediate format (Apple ProRes) that is well accepted by Final Cut Pro X or the earlier version FCP 6 and FCP 7.
The best workaround to import XAVC/XDCAM media to FCP without plugin
Required format converter software:
HD Video Converter for Mac
To convert Sony XAVC, XDCAM, XDCAM HD, and XDCAM EX media to Apple ProRes for Final Cut Pro (X), follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional Sony media converter for FCP and load Sony XAVC, XDCAM, XDCAM HD, and XDCAM EX footage to it.
Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for FCP X. The ProRes is able workable in the former version FCP 6 and FCP 7.
Step 3: Adjust video and audio settings （for advanced users）
Step 4: Click ‘Convert’ to transcode Sony XAVC, XDCAM, XDCAM HD, and XDCAM EX files to Apple ProRes 422.
Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes QuickTime files for using in Final Cut Pro X/7/6 with optimum performance.
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