How to downscale 4K to 1080p ProRes for FCP 7?


If you are in search of an effective way to downscale 4K files to 1080p for FCP 7 editing, you may have interest in this post. It guides you through the process of down-converting 4K stuff to 1080p ProRes for a fluid workflow in FCP 7.

How can I downsize 4K videos to 1080p for FCP 7 editing?
“My client delivered me a bundle of 4K (3840X2160) files taking with a Panasonic Lumix GH4 camera. I intend to downsize the 4K material to 1080p ProRes for a smooth workflow in FCP 7. Can anyone help me to figure out the best way to do this? Thanks for any advice.”

If for whatever reason you need to shrink 4K videos to 1080p ProRes prior so that FCP 7 will handle them well, you could give HD Converter for Mac a shot. It is able to compress 4K files to 1080p videos in a wide variety of file types. Here’s how.

How to compress 4K files to 1080p ProRes for FCP 7 editing?

Software requirement
HD Converter for Mac
compress 4k to 1080p prores for fcp7

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Install and run HD Converter for Mac as the best 4K to 1080p ProRes converter. As soon as the main interface pops up, click ‘Add File’ button to load source video files.
4K to 1080p ProRes for fcp7

Step 2: Select output format for FCP 7
From the Format Profile 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 7, so when loading them into FCP, you needn’t wait for a long time for the rendering process.
convert 4K video to 1080P prores
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. To export files in 1080p, do remember setting ‘Video Resolution’ to 1920*1080. It will ensure down-converting 4K files to 1080p ProRes.

Step 4: Start converting 4K videos to 1080p ProRes
When ready, click ‘Convert’ button to compress 4K files to 1080P ProRes for editing within FCP 7 smoothly.
Tips: if you don’t want to wait around in front of your computer for the converting process, you can tick off ‘Shut down computer when conversion completed’ and go away to do other things.

Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the generated 1080p ProRes files
When the conversion is finished, simply click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the exported 1080p ProRes files for using in Final Cut Pro 7 with optimum performance.

Also read
How can I downsize UHD 4K video to 1080p for playing?
Convert Sony 4K video to 1080p-compress Sony 4K to 1080p
Working with Panasonic GH4 4K files in DaVinci Resolve
Convert 4K video to a more edit friendly codec on Mac/PC