Working with MP4 files in Adobe Premiere Pro CS5/CS6/CC


Is there an easy and direct way to import and edit MP4 files in Adobe Premiere Pro CS5/CS6/CC? Read this post to find an answer. It displays a reliable way of converting MP4 files to Adobe Premiere editable files in simple steps with excellent quality.
import and edit MP4 files in Adobe Premiere
If you shoot with a camera like Sony FDR-AX1 4K, Sony Alpha A7S, Sony HDR-AS15 and Sony PMW-F3, or record using a camera app in Windows 8, you may get video recordings wrapped in an MP4 container. Those MP4 files are usually compressed in H.264 codec, which is not a codec suitable for editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CS5/CS6/CC or other nonlinear editing programs. To be able to work with MP4 files in Premiere fast and smoothly, you will need to transcode MP4 video to a format that is compatible with Adobe Premiere, such as ProRes or DNxHD encoded QuickTime .mov, which is called “transcoded editing”.

To process “transcoded editing”, third party converter program is required. Here we highly recommend HD Video Converter, a cross-platform universal transcoder, being able to run on the most recent Windows 8/8.1 as well as Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite. With this app installed, you are able to transcode 4K/2K/HD 1080p/720p MP4 files to QuickTime MOV for working with Premiere Pro CS5/CS6/CC fluidly. It can also create optimal editing formats for NLEs like iMovie, Final Cut Express, FCP 6/7, FCP X, Avid, Sony Vegas, Pinnacle Studio, DaVinci Resolve, Windows Movie Maker, After Effects, Edius, Magix Edit Pro, and more.

You can download a demo version (for both, PC and Mac) to have a try. They are not free but it is totally worth it.
converting MP4 files to Adobe Premierework with MP4 files in Premiere

MP4 and Premiere workflow – convert MP4 files to QuickTime for editing in Premiere

The steps:
Step 1: Start up HD Video Converter as a MP4 to Premiere Converter. When its main interface pops up, click ‘Add File’ to input your source media.
transcode 4K/2K/HD 1080p/720p MP4 files to QuickTime MOV

Step 2: Choose output format Premiere
1) To convert VariCam 35 4K media for editing in Adobe Premiere Mac version, from ‘Profile’ list, select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output. The ProRes codec is best suited for editing in FCP X and its former version FCP 6 and FCP 7. Additionally, the ProRes codec can also be imported to Premiere Pro and DaVinci Reslove for editing without a glitch.
MP4 and Premiere workflow
Note: Only Mac version has the ‘Final Cut Pro’ profile.

2) For the purpose of converting VariCam 35 4K files for editing in Premiere Windows version, from ‘Profile’ list, choose ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Avid Media Composer’ column.
convert MP4 files to QuickTime for editing in Premiere

In addition to DNxHD and ProRes, you can also select ‘MOV (AVC) (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Adobe Premiere/Sony Vegas’ option.
convert MP4 files to QuickTime for editing in Premiere
This method is also available when you want to edit VariCam 35 4K files in After Effects and Sony Vegas.
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: Custom video and audio settings
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: Start Sony MXF footage to QuickTime MOV Conversion
When ready, click ‘Convert’ to start format conversion. As soon as the conversion is complete, you can click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the exported MOV files for use in FCP, Avid or Premiere with optimum performance.

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