Convert Stylus SH-2 1080 60p MOV for iMovie/FCPX editing

We write this post to help people who are having issues working with Olympus Stylus SH-2 1080 60p MOV video in Apple iMovie and FCP X. It introduces a way of converting Stylus SH-2 H.264 MOV files to AIC/ProRes .mov for use in iMovie and FCP X with optimum performance.

The Olympus Stylus SH-2 is equipped with Advanced Movie Modes for powerful video recording functions, including Full HD 1080p captured at up to 60 frames per second for smooth motion playback of fast action footage. High-Speed Movie stretches scenes in slow (120 fps) or super-slow motion (240 fps), while Time Lapse Movie compresses up to five hours of action into a 20-second time-lapse video. Photo in Movie allows users to shoot still shots – including RAW images – while recording 1080p video, perfect for times when you won’t have a second chance to capture the shot.

Olympus Stylus SH-2 Video Recording Capability

So you just have recorded some 1080 60p MOV files with Stylus SH-2 but run into troubles while importing and editing them on Mac through iMovie or FCP X? Convert them first. The Stylus SH-2 records video files in H.264 codec, which is a codec suitable for capture and delivery, but not quite proper for editing. For a fast and fluid workflow, we would recommend transcoding Stylus SH-2 60p files to AIC .mov for use in iMovie and converting Stylus SH-2 1080-60p video to ProRes .mov for editing in FCP X.

Software requirement
HD Video Converter for Mac
Working well as an Olympus Video Converter, this app supports converting video recordings captured by all Olympus cameras, including but not limited to Olympus E-PL3, Olympus E-PL5, Olympus OM-D E-M1, Olympus E-PL6, Olympus E-PL7, Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and Olympus Stylus 1s.

[Guide] How to transcode Stylus SH-2 1080 60p MOV video for editing in iMovie and FCP X?

First of all, download and install HD Video Converter for Mac

Then follow these steps:
Step 1: Open up HD Video Converter for Mac as a Stylus SH-2 Video Converter for Mac. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load your source media.

Step 2: Select output format for your editing program
To convert Olympus Stylus SH-2 video for iMovie, from ‘Profile’ list, choose ‘Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘iMovie and Final Cut Express’ column. This output format is also suitable for editing in Final Cut Express.

To transcode Olympus Stylus SH-2 video files for FCP X, select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column. The ProRes codec is also workable in its former version FCP 6 and FCP 7.

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 Olympus Stylus SH-2 movies 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 or FCP 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.

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