Summary: If you have import issues while importing and editing Sony FDR-AX100 4K XAVC S/1080p AVCHD in NLE programs like iMovie, FCE, FCP (X), and Avid, we would recommend that you transcode FDR-AX100 footage to an intermediate format, which is a necessity for your editing apps.
As the lightest and smallest 4K camcorder in the world, Sony FDR-AX100 (or FDR-AX100E in Europe) is quite tiny enough for us to take along while traveling or on business. The FDR-AX100/FDR-AX100E is capable of recording great 3840×2160 4K video in Sony’s quite impressive XAVC S codec at 24 and 30 fps. The XAVC-S format with MP4 wrapper, which was first introduced at NAB 2013 with the FDR-AX1 4K camcorder, is Sony’s expansion of XAVC format to the consumer market.
In addition to XAVC S MP4 recording, the tiny FDR-AX100 4K Ultra HD camcorder is also able to shoot AVCHD or web-optimized MP4 footage in 1080p. Theoretically speaking, most NLEs are able to handle XAVC S and AVCHD natively (or under help of plug-ins), but in reality, due to computer environment or some unknown reasons, people often have troubles to work with them.
If you have import issues while importing and editing Sony FDR-AX100 4K XAVC S/1080p AVCHD in NLE programs like iMovie, FCE, FCP (X), and Avid, we would recommend that you transcode FDR-AX100 footage to an intermediate format, which is a necessity for your editing apps. To do format conversion, HD Video Converter is recommended. You can download a free trial to see if it works as you expected.
How to transcode Sony FDR-AX100 4K XAVC S/1080p AVCHD to iMovie, FCE, FCP (X), and Avid’s editable format?
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Download the free trial version of HD Video Converter from the download link provided above. Install and start up it as a Sony FDR-AX100 Video Converter. From the main interface, click ‘Add File’ to import 4K XAVC-S MP4 or 1080p AVCHD footage.
Step 2: Choose output format for iMovie, FCE, FCP, and Avid
1) To be able to convert FDR-AX100 4K XAVC S/1080p AVCHD for iMovie and FCE, from the ‘Format’ bar, choose ‘Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)’ as output format from ‘iMovie and Final Cut Express’ catalogue.
2) To be able to transcode Sony FDR-AX100 footage for Final Cut Pro X/7/6, from the the ‘Format’ bar, select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output from ‘Final Cut Pro’ column.
3) To be able to rewrap FDR-AX100 4K XAVC S/1080p AVCHD files for Avid, from the ‘Format’ bar, choose ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format from ‘Avid Media Composer’ catalogue.
Step 3: Customize video and audio settings if necessary. You are allowed to do advanced settings on video bit rate, frame rate, resolution, audio sample rate, audio channels and more.
Step 4: Click ‘Convert’ button to start encoding FDR-AX100 4K XAVC S/1080p AVCHD data for using smoothly within iMovie, Final Cut Express, Final Cut Pro 6, Final Cut Pro 7 or Final Cut Pr X, and Avid MC.
Step 5: Soon after the conversion completed, you can hit ‘Open Folder’ button to get the generated files for post production in NLEs.
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