MP4 and FCP workflow – transcode MP4 to ProRes for FCP


Summary: How do I edit MP4 files in FCP 7 without glitches? If you are looking for a quick answer to this question, you may come to the right place. In this article, we are talking about how to transcode MP4 to Apple ProRes for use in Final Cut Pro smoothly without extra rendering.

If you wanted to import MP4 videos to FCP for editing, you may have import issues one or another. That’s because MP4 is a file extension based on the H.264 standard, which provides high-quality, highly compressed digital video, but is not a codec suitable for editing. Search the internet, you will find it has been discussed thousands of times why MP4 doesn’t work in FCP. But what you should do about it when presented with this material to edit? In our experience, you will need to convert MP4 to Apple ProRes, FCP’s favorite editing codec in advance, so as to expect optimum performance while working them with FCP.edit MP4 files in FCP 7

Which program should I use to encode MP4 video to QuickTime for FCP?
As a matter of fact, there are a lot of converters out there that claimed to have ability to convert MP4 files, but few of them worked as expected. For instance, you can convert MP4 files in MPEG Streamclip and QuickTime Pro, but on some occasions, the two will work without success. If you wanted to get higher quality conversions you would need to use Video Converter for Mac which is good at lossless conversion.

Download a free trial of Video Converter for Mac
MP4 to FCP Converter

MP4 and FCP workflow – transcode MP4 to ProRes for FCP

Follow these steps:
transcode MP4 to Apple ProRes for FCP

Step 1: Run Video Converter for Mac as a professional MP4 to FCP Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source files.

Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for FCP 7. The ProRes is able workable in the former version FCP 6 and the later version FCP X.
encode MP4 video to QuickTime for FCP
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 MP4 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 MP4 to ProRes MOV conversion.

Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes QuickTime files for using in Final Cut Pro 7/6/X with optimum performance.

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