If you are looking for a smooth editing workflow guide between Sony FS5 and Final Cut Pro X, you are in the right place. This post guides you through how to convert Sony FS5 XAVC footage to ProRes for use in FCP X with optimum performance.
Sony FS5 can shoot 8-bit internally in 4K at 100 Mbps, or perhaps more importantly 10-bit 4:2:2 HD at 50 Mbps. The FS5 uses the XAVC GoP compression which is efficient enough to allow you using SD cards as a recording media but this version of Sony’s codec will also be tougher on the computer you’re using to edit. We’ve heard reports that Final Cut Pro X might have issues handling FS5 XAVC footage right now. Luckily there are workarounds to get FCP X working with FS5 footage easily.
For a faster and more fluid Sony FS5 workflow in FCP X, users sometimes need to transcode FS5 4K XAVC to Apple ProRes codec before editing. Here’s how.
How to transcode FS5 XAVC files to FCP X preferred ProRes codec?
Software requirement
HD Converter for Mac
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Converter for Mac as a professional Sony FS5 XAVC to FCP X 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 X
From the ‘Profile’ menu, 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 7. When loading them into FCP (X), you needn’t wait for a long time for rendering.
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 FS5 XAVC footage 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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