Summary: If you want to edit Panasonic P2 MXF footage in Final Cut Pro version 6, 7 or FCP X smoothly without a glitch, you may need a P2 MXF to ProRes Converter. This post is to help you find out the best P2 MXF file converter for FCP.
Having incompatibility issues or performance issues while working with Panasonic P2 MXF footage in Final Cut Pro (X)? Convert them first!!! That’s where a P2 MXF to FCP Converter comes in. Converting P2 MXF files to a QuickTime movie format like ProRes 422 before editing, the editing process will become easier and more directly.
As a matter of fact, there are a large number of converters out there claiming to have great ability to handle MXF recordings shot on a P2 card. Which is the absolute best program to do so? If you are forced to use a P2 MXF to FCP MOV Converter to convert formats, we’d like to give you some hints on how to choose a good P2 MXF file converter for FCP.
How to choose the best P2 MXF to ProRes Converter?
Please keep in mind the following factors.
a. Automatically read audio files while handling an .mxf video file
Unlike Canon XF card stores video and audio files together in the same folder, the P2 card stores video files in ‘VIDEO’ folder and audio files in ‘AUDIO’ folder separately. That’s why people sometimes have audio files lost when handling P2 videos. A good P2 MXF to FCP Converter should be able to detect audio files automatically while converting an .mxf video clip.
P2 folder structure
Important note: Please make sure you have the entire MXF file structure as it saved on your camcorder’s P2 card. If you only have some loose .MXF clips, your files will have image only without audio.
b. Process file conversion completely and stably
Some mxf converters may crash, stop responding, fail halfway, or just take up to several days to convert large video clips. The best P2 MXF Converter for FCP should be a stable and reliable program with reasonable conversion speed.
c. Assure the video and audio matching very well
Even though some converters may seem to convert the P2 MXF files to ProRes format correctly, you may finally figure out that the audio and video are slipping out of sync which is very frustrating.
d. Perform lossless P2 MXF to ProRes conversion without losing HD quality
The best P2 MXF to ProRes MOV Converter program should be able to keep the original quality of the source media while processing format conversion. It’s important to convert P2 MXF footage to Apple ProRes format maintaining original quality fitting for editing in FCP 6/7/X.
Considering the above mentioned factors, the HD Video Converter program is positioned as the best P2 file Converter for FCP. You can download a demo version to see if it is able to do what you need.
The steps of converting P2 MXF files to ProRes for working with FCP (X) 
- Click ‘Add File’ to import P2 MXF source media.
- Click ‘Profile’ menu to choose ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column. The ProRes format is also suitable for editing in other NLEs like Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve.
- If necessary, click ‘Settings’ button to custom video and audio settings.
- When ready, click ‘Convert’ to start format conversion.
- When conversion is complete, click ‘Open Folder’ to get the converted files.
This P2 MXF to ProRes file converter software provides five types of ProRes formats for users to choose from, including Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422 (LT), Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy), and Apple ProRes 4444, you can select one as target format depending on your requirement in post production.
Apple ProRes 422 – Higher quality than Apple ProRes 422 (LT);
Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) – Keep original video quality for editing in FCP;
Apple ProRes 422 (LT) – Get a smaller file sizes than Apple ProRes 422;
Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) – SD levels – 480i/p and 576i/p. Used in offline workflows.
Apple ProRes 4444 – Edit and finish 4:4:4 material.
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.
Related posts
The best P2 MXF file Converter for Mac and Windows PC
Why Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 can’t import MXF video files?
How can I import MXF footage into Avid Media Composer?
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?