Sony PXW-X70 XAVC Long workflow with FCP X


If you are a Sony PXW-X70 owner, you may have issues working with its XAVC-Long GOP footage in FCP X. In that case, you will need to transcode PXW-X70 XAVC-Long GOP to ProRes 422 codec before editing via using third party converter software. Here’s a quick guide on this.
XAVC-Long GOP footage in FCP X
How can I use Sony PXW-X70 XAVC-Long GOP footage in FCP X?
“Hi, there, it’s a pity that Sony XAVC Long GOP codec is still not supported in FCP X. I shoot with a Sony PXW-X70 hand-held camcorder usually in XAVC-L 35 mode and edit with the latest FCP X version 10.2. On import, I only get a JPEG image of the first frame and the audio, but no picture/video. How can I get FCP X to recognize PXW-X70 XAVC-L files correctly? Any suggestions? I would really appreciate any help. Thanks.”

Yes, it’s true, currently FCP X doesn’t comes with full support for Sony XAVC-L codec, even in the most recent FCP X 10.2, which affects Sony PXW-X70 owners. To be able to import Sony PXW-X70 XAVC-Long GOP footage to FCP X for editing smoothly, you will need to convert PXW-X70 XAVC-L files to an intermediate format that is suitable for editing in FCP X, such as Apple ProRes 422, FCP X’s favorite editing codec, which FCP X will recognize and handle well. Read on to find a quick guide on how to encode PXW-X70 XAVC-L footage to ProRes 422 for use in FCP X.

[Guide] How to convert PXW-X70 XAVC-L footage to FCP X’s editable ProRes codec?

Software requirement
HD Video Converter for Mac
transcode PXW-X70 XAVC-Long GOP to ProRes 422

Download, install and run HD Video Converter for Mac, then follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional Sony PXW-X70 XAVC-L to ProRes Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
use Sony PXW-X70 XAVC-Long GOP footage in FCP X

Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for opening with FCP 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 X and its former version FCP 6 and FCP 7. When loading them into FCP X/6/7, you needn’t wait for a long time for rendering.
Sony XAVC Long GOP codec not supported in FCP X
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 Sony PXW-X70 XAVC-L video to ProRes MOV conversion.

Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes 422 QuickTime files for transferring and editing in Final Cut Pro X with optimum performance.

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