This post aims to help those who are having troubles loading MPEG files to Final Cut Pro X. If you are trying to figure out a way of working with MPEG footage in FCP X smoothly, you may wish to read this post.
How do I import MPEG-2 files to FCP X?
“Hey there, I needed to import a bundle of .MPEG-2 files into Final Cut Pro X. The raw files were taken with a Sony Handycam. These files were recorded as MPEG-2 files and my client copied them from the camera hard drives to an external hard drive and delivered it to me. The thing is that the camera’s hard drive has several folders, my client only copied the folder that contained the .mpg files and not the others. Every time I try to import the footage it states this: None of the selected files or folders can be imported. Change the selection and try again. Is there a way to import the files without entire folders? I’m running OS X Mavericks (10.9.2) and working with FCP X Version Number, 10.0.8. Please help. Thanks.”
Don’t try to work with (highly compressed) MPEG 2 in FCP X without copying the entire contents of the camera hard drive next time. If for some reason you have to work with separate MPEG clips in FCP X, you will need to use HD Video Converter for Mac to convert the MPEG files to ProRes 422 first. Life will be much easier for you if you do. Here’s a guide on how to transcode MPEG media to ProRes 422 for FCP X editing.
[Guide] How to transcode MPEG media to ProRes 422 for FCP X editing?
First of all, download a trial version of HD Video Converter for Mac
Then follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional MPEG to FCP X 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 Format bar, 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 6 and 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 MPEG to ProRes MOV conversion.
Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes 422 QuickTime files for transferring and editing in Final Cut Pro X/7/6 with optimum performance.
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