Summary: What’s the proper workflow between Sony PXW-X180 and FCP (X)? If you are having issues while working with PXW-X180 XAVC footage in FCP 6/7/X, this post may help you out. It explains how to convert PXW-X180 XAVC to ProRes 422 for use in Final Cut Pro with lossless quality.
The Sony PXW-X180 Full HD XDCAM Handheld Camcorder comes with fantastic ability to use a multitude of codecs (XAVC Intra and Long GOP Codecs, MPEG HD 422, AVCHD, & DV Codecs) to record footage. These codecs are used to fit into a variety of broadcast and production workflows. However, consumers may sometimes run into incompatibility issues while working with Sony PXW-X180 XAVC files in FCP. That’s because only the most recent version FCP X has added general QuickTime support for XAVC. The previous version FCP 7 is not compatible with XAVC or XAVC S. To be able to import and edit Sony PXW-X180 XAVC files in FCP easily and directly, we do recommend transcoding Sony PXW-X180 XAVC MXF files to Apple ProRes before editing. In this guide, we will guide you through the process of converting Sony PXW-X180 XAVC to MOV format with ProRes codec. This requires third party software like HD Video Converter for Mac.
Download a free trial of HD Video Converter for Mac
Sony PXW-X180 workflow with FCP – how to rewrap Sony PXW-X180 XAVC video to ProRes for FCP?
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional Sony PXW-X180 to FCP Converter for Mac. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column. The ProRes codec is workable in FCP X and its former version FCP 6 and 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 Sony PXW-X180 XAVC to ProRes 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)
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 PXW-X180 XAVC MXF video to ProRes MOV conversion.
Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes QuickTime files for using in Final Cut Pro X/7/6 with optimum performance.
Related posts
Sony PDW-HD1550 and FCP 7–edit PDW-HD1550 XAVC 4K in FCP7
How to import Sony F55/F5 CineAlta 4K XAVC to FCP without plugin?
Open and edit Sony PMW-F55/F5 XAVC HD and 4K XAVC in Avid MC
Can iMovie and FCE natively handle Sony F55/F5 XAVC MXF footage?
How to import and edit Sony PXW-FS7 XAVC footage in Adobe Premiere?