Issues with XAVC in FCPX – how to import XAVC MXF files to FCP X?


If you are getting issues with XAVC footage in FCP X, you may wish to read this post. It introduces an easy and direct way to convert Sony XAVC MXF video to ProRes so that you can import XAVC MXF footage to FCP X for further editing smoothly.

I’m getting issues with Sony PXW-FS7 XAVC in FCP X (10.09)
“Hey, there, would you help please? I have a bundle of XAVC video files shot on a Sony PXW-FS7 camera. I’m getting issues with XAVC in FCPX with 10.09, I’ve done a clean install and imported all my media in 10.09 and I’m still getting green flashes, picture disruption and now complete crashes at certain points in the footage. Is anyone else seeing this? I’m not having any luck fixing this problem at all, if imported the original mxfs into Premiere Pro CC and there are no issues. I’m getting glitches and full blown crashes on quite a few of the files in FCPX. Do I need to convert these XAVC files to another format so I can edit them in FCPX? Can anyone give me some suggestions? Thanks. ”

To be able to import Sony XAVC, XDCAM, XDCAM HD, and XDCAM EX media into Final Cut Pro X, you’ll need to download and install the XAVC/XDCAM Plug-in for Apple (PDZK-LT2) provided by Sony. This Camera Import Plug-in provides support for XAVC and XDCAM / XDCAM EX files shot on Sony SxS card, allowing viewing and editing capability in Final Cut Pro X. If you are still getting issues with XAVC in FCPX after installed the plug-in, you will need to transcode XAVC MXF clips to MOV format for use in FCPX smoothly. This requires third party program like HD Video Converter for Mac.

Download a demo of HD Video Converter for Mac
xavc to fcpx
This program works well as a Sony XAVC MXF to FCP Converter, being able to convert XAVC MXF files to Apple ProRes format fitting for use in FCP X/6/7 with optimum performance. Read on to find a step-by-step guide talking about how to convert XAVC footage to ProRes for editing in FCP X.

Sony XAVC and FCPX workflow – how to rewrap XAVC MXF files to ProRes 422 for FCP X?

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Install this XAVC Mac Converter software on your computer, launch it and click ‘Add File to ingest your source media from your camera or from an achieved folder.
XAVC workflow with fcp

Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for opening with FCP X/6/7
From the Format bar, move to ‘Final Cut Pro’ catalogue, and select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as target format. Apple ProRes is the best suited editing code for FCP 6, 7 and FCP X. When loading them into FCP, you needn’t wait for a long time for rendering.
xavc to prores on mac

Step 3: Custom video and audio settings (for advanced users)
Click ‘Settings’ button, the ‘Profile Settings’ window pops up, on which you are allowed to custom video and audio parameters like bit rate, frame rate, resolution, sample rate, and audio channels.

Step 4: Start transcoding XAVC MXF file to QuickTime ProRes for FCP X/6/7
When ready, click ‘Convert’ to transcode XAVC MXF files to Apple ProRes for using with FCP. XAVC MXF files are always HD content, so the conversion process may costs a little longer time. In this situation, you can tick off ‘Shut down computer when conversion completed’ and go away to do other things.

Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ button to locate exported ProRes files
As soon as the conversion process finished, simply click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the generated Apple ProRes files. Now you are able to open them in Final Cut for further editing without any issues.

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