This post helps those who are looking for a good converter to trascode MP4 (XDCAM EX) to MOV (ProRes) maintaining original quality. It introduces an easy and affordable MP4 to ProRes converter to process XDCAM EX to ProRes conversion on Mac.
How can I convert Sony EX3 XDCAM EX mp4’s to ProRes?
“Hello, I had another cameraman filming on an EX3. When I went to pick-up the footage they had PC set-up, I had Mac hard-drive. Time was very short, so they put the data on DVD’s. I told them I needed the whole directory structure or it would not work. They didn’t understand. It was in Spain. ANYWAY – I’m left with a few MP4 files that will not work in XCDAM transfer obviously, do not work in Compressor, Final Cut, or Magic Bullet Grinder! Very annoying. How can I convert these mp4’s to ProRes?? There must be a way (hopes). Please help asap. Thanks!!”
(Question credit: www.discussions.apple.com)
The XDCAM EX records using an MP4 file ‘wrapper’ format which although widely available is still a relatively new codec and not yet compatible with all current software packages. FCP 7/X with Sony plugin allows importing from BPAV, but FCP will not import if you don’t have the whole directory structure. In that case, you will need to convert XDCAM EX MP4 files to Apple ProRes, a codec that is best suitable for editing in FCP 7/X. HD Video Converter for Mac will do the trick. Read on to find a quick guide on how to encode XDCAM EX MP4 to MOV with ProRes codec via using this app.
Here’s what you need
HD Video Converter for Mac
You can download a demo version to have a try. It is not free but it is totally worth it.
How to transcode XDCAM EX MP4 files to ProRes 422 for FCP in a fast way?
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional XDCAM EX MP4 to MOV Converter. 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 for opening with FCP 7/6/X
From the ‘Profile’ list, 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 7 and its former version FCP 6 and the most recent version FCP X. When loading them into FCP (X), you needn’t wait for a long time for rendering. To create smaller files, transcode your source files to Apple ProRes 422 (LT).
This app provides five ProRes options:
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.
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 XDCAM EX MP4 files to ProRes MOV conversion.
Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes QuickTime files for transferring and editing in Final Cut Pro version 6, 7 or FCP X with optimum performance.
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