Canon EOS 7D and FCP X import – convert 7D MOV to ProRes for FCP X


Summary: What’s the best workflow for Canon EOS 7D camera and Apple FCP X? If you haven’t figured it out, this post may help you a lot. It guides you through the process of transcoding Canon 7D H.264 MOV to ProRes for optimum performance in FCP X.
canon 7d

“Hi, all, I have a question about Canon EOS 7D and FCP X import workflow. The Canon EOS 7D is included in Final Cut Pro X Supported Cameras list, so I thought FCP X was supposed to work with the native MOV files from the EOS 7D in H.264. Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out how to import the 7D H.264 files to FCP X. It didn’t seem to read the files at all. Does it have something to do with frame rate or resolution (size)? For instance, the EOS 7D is able to record 1280×720 at 60fps for slow motion purposes, but also 1920×1080 at 23.98 fps or 29.97 fps. If that’s the case, what should I do to solve it? I’m so confused. Thanks in advance”

If you are having the same issue as mentioned above, external 7D H.264 conversion to ProRes is recommended for optimum performance, because FCP X definitely accepts all flavors of ProRes, including Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422 (LT), Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy), and Apple ProRes 4444. To do format conversion, third party software like Video Converter for Mac is required, which works great as a Canon 7D Video Converter for Mac. You can free download a trial version to see if it works as you expected.
free trial

Canon 7D and FCP X import -Transcdoe 7D H.264 MOV to ProRes

For the purpose of converting Canon 7D H.264 MOV footage to ProRes for FCP X, follow these steps:
Step 1: Install and run Video Converter for Mac as the best Canon EOS 7D MOV Converter for Mac. As soon as the main interface pops up, click ‘Add Video’ or ‘Add from folder’ button to load Canon 7D video files.

Step 2: Select output format for FCP X
In order to transcode Canon H.264 QuickTime MOV files to ProRes for FCP X or the former version FCP 6 and 7, from the Format bar, navigate 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 FCP 6/7, so when loading them into FCP, you needn’t wait for a long time for the rendering process.

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: Custom video and audio settings (for advanced users)
Click ‘Settings’ button, the ‘Profile Settings’ window pops up, on which you are allowed to custom video and audio parameters like bit rate, frame rate, resolution, sample rate, and audio channels.

Step 4: Start transcoding Canon 7D H.264 MOV shootings to ProRes
When ready, click ‘Convert’ button to convert Canon 7D MOV files to Apple ProRes for editing with FCP X.

Tips: if you don’t want to wait around in front of your computer for the converting process, you can tick off ‘Showdown computer when conversion completed’ and go away to do other things.

Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the generated ProRes QuickTime files
When the conversion is finished, simply click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the exported ProRes files for using in Final Cut Pro X with optimum performance.

Also read
Canon EOS 7D workflow with iMovie – convert Canon 7D MOV to AIC
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