If you experience any troubles importing M2T files into FCP X, you may wish to read this thread. It explains a way of converting M2T files to ProRes 422 for use in FCP X smoothly without rendering.
“Hi, Like to know if FCP X supports AVCHD .M2T (not .M2TS) video natively? If not, could anyone please explain the best workaround for importing and/or transcoding? Thanks in advance for all your help.”
.m2t files are from HDV tape footage and FCP X imports them straight in without transcoding to anything else. To be able to work with M2T files in FCP X fluidly, first you need all the files (M2T, IDX and DAT).Make the folder-structure like this: Put the files in a folder called: “HVR”, then put the “HVR”-folder in a new folder called “video”. Make sure the Folder called “video” is not in any other folder. Through this way you will be able to use your HDV footage natively in FCP X.
If for whatever reason you’ve lost full camera folder structure but only with individual M2T video clips preserved, you will need to transcode M2T to a QuickTime movie format prior for use in FCP X. HD Video Converter for Mac will open files with the m2t extension and convert them to MOV with your codec of choice. That should probably be Pro Res 422. Read on to find a quick guide on how to convert M2T clips to ProRes 422 for FCP X editing.
Here’s what you need
HD Video Converter for Mac
[Guide] How to encode M2T video files to ProRes 422 for FCP X editing?
Download, install and run HD Video Converter for Mac, then follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional M2T to ProRes 422 Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for opening with FCP X
From the ‘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. When loading them into Final Cut Pro X, you needn’t wait for a long time for rendering.
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 M2T video files to ProRes 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!
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