Transcode Sony A7s II XAVC S 4k video recordings to ProRes 422 for FCP X editing


Experiencing issues importing Sony A7s II XAVC S 4k footage to FCP X for further editing? If so, you may wish to read this post. It displays a way of converting Sony A7s II XAVC S 4k media to ProRes 422 codec for use in FCP X smoothly.

Needed to change Sony A7s II XAVC S 4k media to ProRes for FCP X
“Hi, guys, I received my Sony A7s II camera yesterday, and I spent the afternoon capturing some 4K footage in the XAVC S format used by this camera. I had no problems ingesting the footage into Final Cut Pro X, but the editing process is unstable and unreliable. So I needed something else to change the XAVC S footage to ProRes codec before editing. Does anyone know a good batch converter to do this? Please advice. Thanks in advance.”
issues importing Sony A7s II XAVC S 4k footage to FCP X
Sony has announced the mirrorless full-frame Alpha 7s II camera that takes its predecessor, the existing Alpha 7s, to the next level. The Alpha 7s II, or simply the A7s II, is capable of recording 4K videos internally (3,840 x 2,160) at 24 or 30fps in the XAVC S format. To be able to import and edit A7s II 4K footage in FCP X smoothly, we would recommend transcoding the A7s II XAVC-S footage to FCP X preferred Apple ProRes 422 Codec first. This requires third party software like HD Video Converter for Mac. Here’s a quick guide explaining how to process A7s II XAVC-S 4K to ProRes 422 .mov conversion on Mac via using this converter app.

[Guide] How to encode Sony A7s II XAVC S 4k to ProRes for FCP X editing?

Here’s what you need
HD Video Converter for Mac
converting Sony A7s II XAVC S 4k media to ProRes 422
With this converter program installed, you can effortlessly encode/re-encode XAVC S footage shot on Sony A7s II for editing in non-linear editing systems (NLE) like Final Cut Pro X, FCP 7, iMovie, DaVinci Resolve, Edius, Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer and more with optimum performance. Just download & install it and keep reading for a brief how-to on each process.

Follow these steps
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional Sony A7s II XAVC S to FCP X Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
change Sony A7s II XAVC S 4k media to ProRes for FCP X

Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for opening with FCP X
From ‘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 7. When loading them into FCP (X), you needn’t wait for a long time for rendering.
Sony A7s II XAVC S 4k footage to ProRes MOV conversion
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 A7s II XAVC S 4k 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.

To import the transcoded files into Final Cut Pro X. navigate to File > Import > Media. In the window that comes up select your transcoded ProRes clips. DO NOT check “Create Optimized Media” OR “Create Proxy Media”. Both of these check boxes are unnecessary because we already converted the media to ProRes which means Final Cut Pro X can use the footage without “optimizing” it. Checking this box would create a redundant and time consuming second transcode of your footage.

You’re now ready to edit!

Related posts
Sony XAVC (S) workflow with DaVinci Resolve
XAVC S to FCP X – is there an XAVC-S plug-in for FCP X?
Sony XAVC S MP4 workflow guide with Premiere Pro CC
XAVC (S) and Pinnacle Studio – Pinnacle not reading XAVC (S)