Edit COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video in iMovie, FCPX, Avid


Looking for a fast and fluid workflow for editing Nikon COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video in iMovie, FCP X, and Avid? If so, you may have interest in this post. It presents a way of converting S3700/S2900/L31 video for editing in iMovie, FCPX, Avid directly with lossless quality.

Nikon has recently announced an expansion to its popular COOLPIX compact camera range with three new additions: the COOLPIX S3700, the COOLPIX S2900 and the COOLPIX L31. With these easy to use, reliable and affordable COOLPIX cameras, taking clear photos and smooth movies with great results doesn’t have to be complicated.
editing Nikon COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video in iMovie, FCP X, and Avid
In our previous posts, we have talked about how to import Nikon Coolpix A H.264 MOV video to iMovie and FCP X respectively, and here in this post, we would like to continue discussing how to edit COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video in iMovie, FCPX, Avid via “transcoded editing”.

Why need “transcoded editing”?
Generally speaking, no transcoding needed, you are able to work with COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video in iMovie, FCPX and Avid. But “transcoded editing” is required in some situations. For instance, your editing program will load footage from your COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 camera, but the entire workflow is not stable and reliable, you need something else to do file conversion (convert your camera footage to an intermediate codec that is full compatible with your editing program) before start, so that your editing app would work with them natively and smoothly.

To process file conversion, third party converter software is required. Considering the ease of use and lossless quality, we would recommend HD Video Converter. This converter app comes with Windows and Mac versions, which is compatible with the most recent Windows 8.1 and Mac OS 10.10 Yosemite.

You can download a demo version (for both, PC and Mac) to have a try. They are not free but it is totally worth it.
converting S3700/S2900/L31 video for editing in iMovie, FCPX, Avidwork with COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video in iMovie, FCPX and Avid
Note that only the Mac version has “iMovie and Final Cut Express” and “Final Cut Pro” profile.

How to convert COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video files for iMovie, FCPX, and Avid?

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Start up HD Video Converter as a professional Nikon COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 Converter. When its main interface pops up, click ‘Add File’ to input your source media.
Nikon COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 Converter

Step 2: Select output format for your NLEs
To convert COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video for iMovie, from ‘Profile’ list, choose ‘Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC)(*.mov)’ as output format under ‘iMovie and Final Cut Express’ column. The AIC codec is also workable in the discontinued Final Cut Express.
editing Nikon COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video in iMovie, FCP X, and Avid

To transcode COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video files for FCP X, select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column. The ProRes codec is also workable in its former version FCP 6 and FCP 7.
converting S3700/S2900/L31 video for editing in iMovie, FCPX, Avid

To create editable file from Nikon COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video for Avid MC, navigate to ‘Profile’ list, and select ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Avid Media Composer’ column.
work with COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video in iMovie, FCPX and Avid
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
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: Start COOLPIX S3700/S2900/L31 video files to MOV Conversion
When ready, click ‘Convert’ to start format conversion. As soon as the conversion is complete, you can click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the exported MOV files for use in iMovie, FCP X and Avid apps with optimum performance.

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