Trying to import MKV files to FCP for editing but failed? No worry, this post will do you a favor on this. It details the best way to transcode 1080p/720p MKV videos to Apple ProRes for use in Final Cut Pro 6, 7 or its latest version FCP X.
If you are in need of importing 1080p MKV or 720p MKV to Final Cut Pro (X) for further editing, you will find the FCP (X) still can not accept MKV as import. What to do on this? In our experience, you will need to convert MKV to a format that is compatible with FCP (X) before editing, such as FCP’s favorite editing codec Apple ProRes. To do MKV to Apple ProRes conversion, third party converter utility is required. Considering the ease of use and lossless output quality, we would recommend HD Video Converter for Mac. This useful tool is capable of creating editable files and playable files for NLEs (e.g. FCP X, FCP 6, FCP 7, iMovie, FCE, Premiere Pro, Sony Vegas, DaVinci Resolve, etc.) and popular portable devices (e.g. Apple iPad, iPhone, itouch, Android smartphones and tablets, etc.) from a wide variety of video files, such as MKV, AVCHD, MTS, MXF, MOV, H.264, AVI, WMV, TiVi, MPG, and more. To use MKV video in FCP on Mac, you can give HD Video Converter for Mac a shot.
Download a free trial of HD Video Converter for Mac
How can I make FCP (X) accept MKV video files?
As we mentioned above, to be able to get FCP (X) to recognize 1080p/720p MKV as import, you will need to convert MKV to ProRes previously using HD Video Converter for Mac. To process MKV to FCP transcoding, follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as the best MKV to FCP Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to import your source MKV files to the program.
Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for FCP X or its former version FCP 6 and FCP 7.
This Mac MKV to QuickTime Converter program offers a couple of ProRes formats for users to choose from, including Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422 (LT), Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy), and Apple ProRes 4444, you can select one as target format depending on your request in post production.
Apple ProRes 422 – Higher quality than Apple ProRes 422 (LT);
Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) – Keep original video quality for editing in FCP;
Apple ProRes 422 (LT) – Get a smaller file sizes than Apple ProRes 422;
Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) – SD levels – 480i/p and 576i/p. Used in offline workflows.
Apple ProRes 4444 – Edit and finish 4:4:4 material.
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 to modify video and audio settings like resolution, bit rate, frame rate, sample rate and audio channel.
Step 4: Click ‘Convert’ to start MKV to ProRes conversion for Final Cut Pro
Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes QuickTime files for using in Final Cut Pro X/7/6 with optimum performance.
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