Working with Sony HDR-PJ780 50p AVCHD files in FCP X


Run into issues working with Sony HDR-PJ780 50p AVCHD files in FCP X? If so, you are in the right place. This post displays a workaround to transcode PJ780 50p AVCHD MTS video to ProRes 422 codec for use in FCP X with optimum performance.
working with Sony HDR-PJ780 50p AVCHD files in FCP X
How can I edit HDR-PJ780 50p AVCHD files in FCP X flawlessly?
“Hi guys, how can I expect a smooth workflow between Sony HDR-PJ780 50p AVCHD files and FCP X? I see that model on the Supported Cameras list for Final Cut Pro X and my Mac can recognize it. But the editing process is not stable and reliable. Do I have to convert them to something else that FCP X prefers? Can anyone help me with this? Thanks.”

The Sony PJ780 records 1080 HD video files in AVCHD MTS format at movie frame rate ranging from 50p, 50i and 25p to 24p, all with various bitrates from 2 to 28 Mbps. If for whatever reason you are having issues working with PJ780 50p AVCHD MTS in FCP X, we would recommend transcoding them to a format that is well compatible with FCP X first, such as ProRes 422, FCP X’s favorite editing codec, which FCP X will recognize and handle well. With HD Converter installed, it won’t be a problem to convert HDR-PJ780 50p AVCHD footage for editing in FCP X. Here’s how.

How to transcode PJ780 50p AVCHD MTS to ProRes for FCP X editing?

Software requirement
HD Video Converter for Mac
transcode PJ780 50p AVCHD MTS video to ProRes 422

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional Sony HDR-PJ780 AVCHD to FCP X Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
edit HDR-PJ780 50p AVCHD files in FCP X

Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for opening with FCP X
From the Profile menu, 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.
transcode PJ780 50p AVCHD MTS to ProRes for FCP X
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 Sony HDR-PJ780 50p AVCHD files 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 with optimum performance.

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