Some users of HERO4 Session report issues working with HERO4 Session H.264 1080p60 footage in FCP X. This post displays a workaround to transcode HERO4 Session H.264 1080p60 video to ProRes 422 for use in FCP X natively with optimum performance.
How can I use HERO4 Session H.264 1080p60 video in FCP X smoothly?
“I’ve been playing with the new GoPro Hero 4 Session camera for about three weeks now, and I like it. What the Session has over every other GoPro is the ability to toss it into water, without having to worry about packing it in protective housing. When I turn the camera on, in default, it shoots in 1080p 30 frames per second video. In the GoPro app, I opt for 1080p 60 frames per second, instead of 30. I’m planning on editing the HERO4 Session 1080p60 video in FCP X. FCP X recognizes them, but the editing process is unstable and unreliable. I’m wondering if there is a fluid way to use HERO4 Session H.264 1080p60 video in FCP X. Please suggest a solution. Thanks a lot.”
If for some reason you can not work with HERO4 Session H.264 1080p60 in FCP X smoothly, we would recommend transcoding HERO4 Session H.264 1080p60 in to Apple ProRes 422, FCP X’s favorite editing codec, which FCP X will recognize and handle well. This requires third party software like HD Video Converter for Mac. Check this short tutorial to learn how to convert HERO4 Session 1080p60 media to ProRes 422 via using this app.
Here’s what you need
HD Video Converter for Mac
A quick guide on how to convert HERO4 Session H.264 1080p60 video to ProRes for FCP X editing
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional HERO4 Session video to ProRes Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for opening with FCP X
From the ‘Profile’ list, move to ‘Final Cut Pro’ catalogue, and select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as target format. Apple ProRes is the best suited editing codec for FCP X and its former version FCP 7. When loading them into FCP (X), you needn’t wait for a long time for rendering.
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: Adjust video and audio settings (for advanced users)
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: Click ‘Convert’ to start HERO4 Session H.264 1080p60 video to ProRes MOV conversion.
Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes 422 QuickTime files for editing in Final Cut Pro X with optimum performance.
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