Summary: If you want to figure out how to import Sony A7/A7R 60p AVCHD video files to Final Cut Pro X to do basic editing, you may come to the right place. This article demonstrates the best workaround to transcode Sony A7/A7R AVCHD to ProRes for editing within FCP X.
Question: “Hi there! I’ve got some 1920×1080 60p AVCHD footage shot with Sony’s Alpha A7R mirrorless camera that I want to get into FCP X. My problem is that the FCP X seems not reading my A7R AVCHD media at all. Is there any plug in that I should install or do I need to transcode them to QuickTime files so that FCP X can recognize? Any ideas?”
Like Sony’s Alpha A7 mirrorless camera, the A7R full frame camera records video files in AVCHD codec with maximum resolution 1920×1080 at 60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, and 24p. Plus, MP4 recording format is also available for smaller files for easier upload to the web. If you’ve captured some 60p AVCHD files with Sony A7 or A7R, you may find it’s hard to open them in FCP X. In this case, we would recommend that you convert Sony A7/A7R AVCHD to ProRes for FCP X. This requires third party software like Video Converter for Mac.
As the name implies, the 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. 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, Windows Movie Maker, Pinnacle Studio, 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 Video Converter for Mac
How to transcode Sony A7/A7R AVCHD to Apple ProRes for Final Cut Pro X?
To convert Sony A7/A7R AVCHD to ProRes for Final Cut Pro X, follow these steps:
Step 1: Run Video Converter for Mac as a professional Sony A7/A7R AVCHD Converter for Apple. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load Sony AVCHD media to it.
Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for FCP X. The ProRes is able workable in the former version FCP 6 and FCP 7.
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.
This Mac Sony A7/A7R format converter program offers a couple 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.
Step 3: Adjust video and audio settings （for advanced users）
Step 4: Click ‘Convert’ to transcode Sony A7/A7R MTS files to Apple ProRes 422.
Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes QuickTime files for using in Final Cut Pro X/7/6 with optimum performance.
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