To be able to import and edit Canon EOS C300 Mark II 4K XF-AVC MXF footage in Final Cut Pro version X or version 7 smoothly, people sometimes need to process ‘transcoded editing’. This post explains how to convert Canon C300 Mark II 4K XF-AVC MXF files to ProRes codec for use in FCP X/7 with optimum performance.
How do I import Canon C300 Mark II XF-AVC files into FCPX for editing?
“Hi, all, does anyone know how to import Canon C300 Mark II XF-AVC media into FCP X? FCP X does not yet support XF-AVC in a MXF wrapper. There was some publicity in April saying that it would but it is obviously that might or might not appear in the next firmware revision. On the Canon micro site for EOS C300 Mark II there is a table of which NLE’s support this new codex and Edius Pro version 8.0 is the only one. For FCPX it just says ‘to be tested’. So I’ll have to look for another solution. Any suggestions? Thanks.”
For a fast and fluid workflow, we would recommend transcoding EOS C300 Mark II 4K XF-AVC MXF files to ProRes for use in FCP X and FCP 7. This requires third party third party software like HD Video Converter for Mac. Although some people are reluctant to use third party software, it’s currently the only way that would let you work with Canon C300 Mark II XF-AVC files in FCP X/7 without a hassle. Read on to find a quick guide on how to encode Canon C300 Mark II XF-AVC MXF video to ProRes for FCP editing.
Here’s what you need
HD Video Converter for Mac
With HD Video Converter for Mac installed, you are able to convert Canon EOS C300 Mark II 4K XF-AVC MXF files footage to ProRes .mov for working with FCP 7/X smoothly. More than XF-AVC media, it also supports converting XAVC S MP4, XAVC MXF, P2 MXF, XDCAM/XDCAM HD MXF, IMX MXF, AVCHD (.m2t, .m2ts, .mts), H.264 MOV, XDCAM EX MP4, MKV, AVI, M2V and more for your different final targets, such as editing, playing, sharing, and burning.
How to encode Canon EOS C300 Mark II 4K XF-AVC MXF footage for editing in FCP 7/X flawlessly?
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional Canon C300 Mark II XF-AVC to ProRes 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/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 FCPX. 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).
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 Canon EOS C300 Mark II 4K XF-AVC MXF files to ProRes MOV conversion.
Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes QuickTime files for transferring and editing in Final Cut Pro 7/X with optimum performance.
To import the transcoded files into Final Cut Pro X, navigate to File > Import > Media. In the window that comes up select your transcoded ProRes clips. DO NOT check “Create Optimized Media” OR “Create Proxy Media”. Both of these check boxes are unnecessary because we already converted the media to ProRes which means Final Cut Pro X can use the footage without “optimizing” it. Checking this box would create a redundant and time consuming second transcode of your footage.
To import the transcoded files into Final Cut Pro X. navigate to File > Import > Media. In the window that comes up select your transcoded ProRes clips. DO NOT check “Create Optimized Media” OR “Create Proxy Media”. Both of these check boxes are unnecessary because we already converted the media to ProRes which means Final Cut Pro X can use the footage without “optimizing” it. Checking this box would create a redundant and time consuming second transcode of your footage.
You’re now ready to edit!
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