If for some reason, you are unable to import and edit Canon XA10 AVCHD footage in Final Cut Pro version 6, 7 or FCP X, you may convert them to Apple ProRes 422, the native editing codec for Final Cut.
Doubtlessly, the Canon XA10 HD professional camcorder is quite probably one of the smallest pro-level cams in the world. It records footage in Full HD 1920 x 1080 in AVCHD format utilizing MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression technology, and features flexible options in frame rate modes (60i, 30p Progressive, and native 24p) and bit rate modes (24Mbps, 17Mbps, 12Mbps, 7Mbps, 5Mbps). All that and more make it possible for users to decide whether you are going to give your video a more film-like look or want to shoot for the web, as well as balance quality versus recording time for specific apps.
Regarding to the AVCHD codec, it is very popular in both the professional and consumer market. That means most non-linear editing software should have full support for the codec, but the thing is that users still have problems one or another while trying to open the XA10 AVCHD footage in Final Cut Pro for further editing.
Why Final Cut Pro refused opening AVCHD footage?
Reason #1: FCP won’t recognize .MTS files without the complete folder structure. If you’ve only copied some separate video files from your XA10 camcorder without keeping the BDMV folder within the AVCHD folder, you will fail when attempting to import them to FCP 6/7 or the FCP X.
Reason #2: If some related files like .cpi, .mpl for particular .mts videos were deleted by accident, or not copied from the camcorder, FCP will import some videos only, with others not.
Reason #3: AVCHD files are recorded in 1080/60p AVCHD or 1080/50p, which is not well supported by FCP yet.
Reason #4: Your computer environment limited you to do so or some unknown reason.
If for some reason you can not directly open your XA10 footage in FCP, or you think it takes too long to import file from the Canon XA10, you can convert XA10 MTS files to Apple PreRes 422, the native editing format for FCP using 3rd party software like Video Converter for Mac.
The Video Converter for Mac works well as a Canon XA10 AVCHD to ProRes Converter. It supports not only the AVCHD footage shot on a Canon XA10 camcorder, but also handles the MTS files from camcorders/cameras like Sony NEX-FS100, Sony CX700V, Sony NX5U, Canon XA20, Panasonic HDC-SD90, and more.
How to encode XA10 AVCHD MTS to ProRes MOV for Final Cut Pro？
Follow these steps:
1. Click ‘Add File’ button to import AVCHD files from your XA10 camera or from a card reader or from a achieved folder that contains your MTS clips.
2. Click the Format option and choose ‘Final Cut Pro’ > ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output.
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.
3. Click the ‘Settings’ button to custom video and audio settings such as video resolution, frame rate, bit rate, audio bit rate, sample rate, and audio channels. (for advanced users)
4. When ready, click ‘Convert’ button under preview window to export Apple ProRes 422 MOV files for using in Final Cut Pro.
5. When done, click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the generate ProRes QuickTime files for importing and editing within Final Cut Pro version 6, 7 or X.
Tips:
If you transcoded XA10 AVCHD to ProRes for FCP and got files with audio only, but no image, you may try to download Apple ProRes codec and rewrap the videos again.
Also read
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