Convert Panasonic HC-W850 recordings to QuickTime for iMovie, FCP and Avid


The HC-W850 camcorder records footage in either iFrame/MP4 or AVCHD 2.0 format. If you attempt to import and edit Panasonic HC-W850 1080/60p shootings either in AVCHD or MP4 format on Mac NLE apps like iMovie, Final Cut and Avid systems, you may need to convert Panasonic HC-W850 recordings to QuickTime before post production. This post tells you how.

panasonic hc-w850The Panasonic HC-W850 is an adventurous new camcorder that intends to offer a unique second lens feature no other manufacturer can provide, called Twin Camera. Like Panasonic HC-V550CT camcorder, the HC-W850 records footage in either iFrame/MP4 or AVCHD 2.0 format. The AVCHD 2.0 recording modes range up to 1080/60p at 28Mbits per second, while the MP4 format tops out at the same Full HD resolution and frame rate but 50Mbits per second, as well as providing the 960 x 540 iFrame mode and several 720p options.

If you attempt to import and edit Panasonic HC-W850 1080/60p shootings either in AVCHD or MP4 format on Mac NLE apps like iMovie, Final Cut and Avid systems, you may find those programs do not support the 50p files well. If that’s the case, you will need to use third party software like HD Video Converter for Mac to convert Panasonic HC-W850 recordings to QuickTime for iMovie, FCP and Avid.

Download a free trial of Panasonic HC-W850 Video Converter for Mac
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How to transcode Panasonic HC-W850 1080 60p MTS/MP4 recordings to QuickTime for iMovie, FCP and Avid?

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Start up HD Video Converter for Mac as a HC-W850 Video Converter for Mac. When the main interface pops up, click ‘Add File’ button to import MTS/MP4 clips taken with a Panasonic HC-V550CT camcorder.

Step 2: Select output format for iMovie ‘8/9/11, Final Cut Pro 6/7/X and Avid MC
To be able to edit Panasonic HC-W850 AVCHD/iFrame MP4 recordings in iMovie, from the Format bar, choose ‘Apple InterMediateCodec (AIC) (*.mov) as output format from ‘iMovie and Final Cut Express’ catalogue.

To be able to open Panasonic HC-W850 mts/mp4 videos in Final Cut Pro version 6, 7 or the later version FCP X, from the Format bar, select ‘Apple ProRes 422(*.mov)’ as target format from ‘Final Cut Pro’ column.

For the purpose of importing Panasonic HC-W850 AVCHD/MP4 files to Avid for editing, from the Format bar, choose ‘Avid DNxHD 1080p (*.mov)’ or ‘Avid DNxHD 720p (*.mov)’as output format.
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 (for advanced users)
If you want to adjust video and audio settings like video bit rate, frame rate, audio bit rate, sample rate, and audio channel, you can click ‘Setting’ button and go to ‘Profile Settings’ panel to do so, if not, simply skip this step.

Step 4: When ready, click the ‘Convert’ button to start converting Panasonic HC-W850 AVCHD/MP4 videos to QuickTime MOV for using in iMovie, FCP or Avid Media Composer.

Tips: You can tick off ‘Showdown computer when conversion completed’ checkbox, and go away to do other things instead of waiting around in front of the computer for the entire conversion process.

Step 5: When the conversion finished, click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the generated QuickTime files for using in iMovie, FCP or Avid.

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