How do I import Canon R500 AVCHD/MP4 videos to FCP X?


Summary: If you are looking for a way to import Canon R500 AVCHD/MP4 videos to FCP X, you may come to the right place. This post introduces a reliable program to transcode Canon R500 footage to Apple ProRes for smooth use in FCP X.

canon vixia hf r500How do I import Canon R500 AVCHD/MP4 videos to FCP X?
”Hi, there! I’ve recorded some video files using a Canon R500 camcorder that I borrowed from one of my friends. I copied the footage to my hard drive and returned the camcorder to my friend. Now I intend to edit the R500 AVCHD/MP4 in FCP X, but I can not seem to get FCP X to recognize them for import. So I have a question, how do I import Canon R500 AVCHD/MP4 videos to FCP X? I heard from someone that I need to transcode R500 videos to Apple ProRes 422, so that FCP X will accept them without any trouble. Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience on video transcoding. Can anyone kindly tell me which converter software should I use to do so? And advice would be highly appreciated.”

If you have troubles while importing Canon R500 AVCHD MTS or MP4 files to FCP X for further editing, you may consider using HD Video Converter for Mac to encode R500 files to Apple ProRes for FCP X. As the name implies, the HD Video Converter for Mac, which works great as a Canon R500 Video Converter for Mac, is a converter program designed for transcoding HD media, including camera and camcorder videos files to whatever format you need with best video and audio synchronization. It supported camera brands include Canon, Sony, JVC, Nikon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Pentax, Red, Blackmagic, Sanyo, and so on. With this little tool, you are able to create editable files for NLEs like FCP X, FCP 6/7, iMovie, Final Cut Express, Avid MC, DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro CS 6, Sony Vegas, etc. and export playable files for iOS devices, Android devices, HD Media Players, Game consoles and more.

Download a free trial of HD Video Converter for Mac
canon r500 video converter for mac

How to convert Canon R500 AVCHD/MP4 video to Apple ProRes for FCP X?

1. Free download the best Mac Canon Video Converter. Install and run it. Click ‘Add File’ to import your Canon R500 AVCHD/MP4 footage.

2. From the Format bar, choose ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov) as output format from ‘Final Cut Pro’ column. Apple ProRes 422 is the best suited editing format for using within Apple Final Cut Pro Version 6, 7, or FCP X. To create smaller files, transcode R500 files to Apple ProRes 422 (LT).

The Apple ProRes codecs maintain the highest quality and performance while requiring much less expensive editing and storage hardware (compared to uncompressed video). The Apple ProRes codecs produce video that is indistinguishable from uncompressed HD video and needs less storage space than uncompressed SD video.

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. (Optional) If you intend to modify video and audio settings in your own way, you can click on ‘Settings’ to do so. On the popup ‘Profile Settings’ panel, you are allowed to adjust video and audio parameters such as video codec, video bit rate, frame rate, audio codec, audio bit rate, sample rate and audio channels (up to 6 channels)

4. When ready, click on ‘Convert’ to start encoding Canon R500 MP4/MTS clips to Apple ProRes 422.

5. When the Canon R500 footage transcoding process is complete, click on ‘Open Folder’ button to get the generated ProRes 422 QuickTime files for use in FCP X or its former version FCP 7 and FCP 6.

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Canon VIXIA AVCHD to FCP (X), Avid, Premiere Pro, Sony Vegas
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