Import MXF footage into Avid Media Composer


This article shows the process of transcoding MXF footage captured by Canon C300, XF100, XF105, XF300, and XF305 camera, Panasonic P2 camera, and Sony XDCAM professional camcorder to DNxHD format for editing use in Avid Media Composer.
import mxf to media composer
“I’ve shoot a Jazz concert clips with Canon C300 with MXF video output. I borrowed the camera from a friend, and it’s my first time using it. I have troubles when I tried to import MXF footage into Avid Media Composer to do further editing job. My editing program refused to read them. I realized that I have to transcode the MXF to a format that is compatible with Avid MC. Can anyone tell me what’s the best format supported by Avid Media Composer? I need to import and edit the MXF shootings with Avid Media Composer.”

What’s the best suited editing format for Avid Media Composer?
Technically, the best editing codec that Avid Media Composer accepts is DNxHD MOV. That is to say, if you intend to import and edit MXF footage with Avid MC, you’d better convert MXF to DNxHD codec for Avid MC.

Considering the ease of use, the excellent image and sound quality, the reliable video and audio sync technology, you can give HD Video Converter (you can run it as an MXF to Avid MC Converter) a shot. This little program features intuitive and straightforward interface, and comes with optimal preset for Avid Media Composer. You load your source MXF clips into it, select DNxHD MOV as target format, and click ‘Convert’ button to start, it will take care of the rest for you.

Download MXF to DNxHD Converter
mxf to avid mc avid and mxf workflow

How to transcode MXF to DNxHD MOV for Avid Media Composer?

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open up HD Video Converter as an MXF to Avid MC Converter. In the main interface, click ‘Add File’ button to load your source MXF files from your camera or from a folder stored on your HDD that contains your source media.
convert mxf to dnxhd for avid mc

Attention: While importing Panasonic P2 MXF clips to HD Video Converter for conversion, please make sure you have the entire MXF file structure as it saved on your camcorder. If you only have some separate .MXF clips, your files will have image only without audio.

Step 2: From the ‘Profile’ bar, select ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format from ‘Avid Media Composer’ catalogue.
import mxf to media composer

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.

If necessary, you can tick off ‘Merge’ to join selected mxf clips, or you can click ‘Settings’ button to adjust video and audio settings like video resolution, bit rate, frame rate, audio codec, audio bit rate, sample rate and audio channels.

Step 3: When ready, click the big button ‘Convert’ to start transcoding MXF clips to DNxHD MOV for using with Avid Media Composer. As soon as the conversion finished, you can click ‘Open Folder’ button to find the generated Avid MOV files with ease.

Also read
Why Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 can’t import MXF video files?
FCP 7 not recognizing my MXF file – convert MXF to ProRes
Convert P2 MXF to ProRes for FCP 6/7/X without losing sound
MXF and Vegas – How can I edit MXF video files in Sony Vegas?