How can I edit Sony HDR-FX7 HDV on Mac iMovie, FCE & FCP (X)?


If you are having troubles while importing HDV video from Sony HDR-FX7 to Mac iMovie, FCE or FCP (X), you may wish to read this article. It explains how to convert Sony HDR-FX7 HDV video to a Mac friendly format for a fast and smooth workflow working with Mac NLEs.
Sony HDR-FX7
Importing HDV video from Sony HDR-FX7 to iMovie

“Hi, all, I’m trying to import Sony HDR-FX7 HDV video to Mac iMovie for basic editing. Unfortunately, iMovie seems not to recognize my Sony HDR-FX7 HDV files as import. I’ve visited Apple’s website, but couldn’t find a remedy for my issue. Can anyone give me some suggestions if you are using a similar (or same) Sony handycam? I would really appreciate any help. Thank you so much!”

HDV is a problem for some reason while working with Apple iMovie, FCE or FCP. For a quick and fluid workflow, we do recommend transcoding Sony HDV files to QuickTime MOV before editing. To be clear, you are suggested to convert Sony HDR-FX7 HDV video to AIC .mov for use in iMovie/FCE and encode Sony HDR-FX7 HDV files to ProRes .mov for editing in FCP version 6, 7 or the most recent FCP X. Third party software is required to process file conversion. Considering the ease of use and optimal output format best suited for Mac iMovie, FCE and FCP (X), we do recommend HD Video Converter for Mac. You can download a demo to check if it is what you want.

Download a demo of HD Video Converter for Mac
Sony HDR-FX7 HDV Converter for Mac

How to convert Sony HDR-FX7 HDV files to MOV for iMovie, FCE, and FCP X?

The steps:
Step 1: Open up HD Video Converter for Mac as a Sony HDR-FX7 HDV Converter for Mac. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load your source media.
importing HDV video from Sony HDR-FX7 to Mac iMovie, FCE or FCP (X)

Step 2: Select output format for your editing program
To convert Sony HDR-FX7 HDV video to AIC MOV for iMovie/FCE, from ‘Profile’ list, choose ‘Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC)(*.mov)’ as output format under ‘iMovie and Final Cut Express’ column.
convert Sony HDR-FX7 HDV video to a Mac friendly format

Note that the AIC codec is also accepted by Final Cut Pro (HD 4.5 through 5), but rarely used in Final Cut Pro as of Version 6 since it now uses the ProRes codecs instead of the Apple Intermediate Codec.

To transcode Sony HDR-FX7 HDV files to ProRes MOV for FCP (X), you need to select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column. The ProRes codec is suitable for editing in FCP X and its former version FCP 6 and FCP 7.
import Sony HDR-FX7 HDV video to Mac
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 (optional)
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: Begin Sony HDR-FX7 HDV to MOV Conversion on Mac
When ready, click ‘Convert’ to start format conversion. Once the conversion process is complete, you can click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the generated AIC MOV files or ProRes MOV files for editing in iMovie, Final Cut Express or FCP 7/6/X with optimum performance.

Tips:
If you don’t want to wait for the entire conversion process, you can tick off ‘Showdown computer when conversion completed’ and go away to do other things.

Hope this helps someone out there.

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