Summary: Looking for Sony PMW-400 XAVC/IMX workflow guide with Premiere Pro? If so, this post may help you out. It describes a workaround to transcode Sony PMW-400 XAVC/IMX files to MOV format with DNxHD or ProRes codec for use in Premiere Pro CS5/CS5.5/CS6/CC with good quality.
As a member in Sony’s widely used XDCAM HD422 line-up, the Sony PMW-400 shoulder-mount camcorder supports HD recording using the MPEG-2 LONG GOP codec, and SD recordings are made in the DVCAM or MPEG IMX format. HD resolutions include 1920 x 1080, 1440 x 1080, and 1280 x 720. Plus, the new XAVC codec is offered for 4K 4:2:0 videos shooting and allows high frame rate shooting at 1080/60i or 720/60p.
According to Sony, the PMW-400 provides stunning HD picture quality and efficient nonlinear operation, expanding the creative possibilities in every type of HD video production. However, incompatibility issues often happen while working with PMW-400 XAVC/IMX footage in Premiere Pro and other NLEs. In our older posts, we have talked about how to edit Sony PMW-300/200 XAVC MXF shootings in Premiere, how to open Sony PMW-F55/F5 XAVC MXF in Premiere Pro CS5/CS6, and in this post, we will continue discussing how to convert Sony PMW-400 XAVC/IMX files to MOV format for editing in Adobe Premiere with DNxHD or ProRes codec.
What you need?
HD Video Converter – working well as a Sony PMW-400 Converter for Premiere.
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.
Sony PMW-400 and Premiere Pro workflow – how to encode Sony PMW-400 XAVC/IMX to MOV for Premiere Pro CS5/CS5.5/CS6/CC with DNxHD or ProRes codec?
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Start up HD Video Converter as a professional Sony PMW-400 XAVC/IMX Converter. When its main interface pops up, click ‘Add File’ to input your source media.
Step 2: Select output format for Premiere Pro CS5/CS5.5/CS6/CC
If you are running Premiere Pro on a Windows PC, you can from ‘Format’ bar, select ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Avid Media Composer’ column.
If you are using Premiere Pro on a Mac, you can select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column.
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.
In addition to DNxHD and ProRes, you can also select ‘MOV (AVC) (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Adobe Premiere/Sony Vegas’ option.
This method is also useful when you want to edit Sony PMW-400 footage in After Effects.
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 PMW-400 XAVC/IMX MXF files to 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 Adobe Premiere Pro CS5/CS5.5/CS6/CC with optimum performance. Nothing could be simpler or more immediate.
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