How to import Nikon D3400 footage to FCP X?


Came upon issues importing Nikon D3400 footage to FCP X? This post guides you through how to transcode D3400 video files to ProRes 422 for use in FCP X with optimum performance.
d3400 and fcp x workflow

Issues editing Nikon D3400 60p files in FCP X
“Hello, I have issues working with D3400 60p footage in FCP X. FCP X is able to recognize my footage, but the editing process is not stable and reliable. How can I expect a smooth workflow between Nikon D3400 and FCP X? Any ideas? Thanks for any suggestions.”

With Nikon D3400, you can record your videos at a highest resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps and save in MPEG-4 and H.264 formats. If for whatever reason you are having problems handling D3400 video in FCP X, you can consider transcoding the footage to ProRes first. Apple ProRes is FCP X’s favorite editing codec, which FCP X will recognize and handle well. Here’s how.

How to convert Nikon D3400 files to ProRes for FCP X editing?

Software requirement
HD Converter for Mac
converting Nikon D3400 footage to ProRes 422 for FCP X

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Converter for Mac as a professional Nikon D3400 video to FCP X Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
workflow guide between Nikon D3400 and Final Cut Pro X

Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for opening with FCP X
From the ‘Profile’ menu, 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.
convert Nikon D3400 footage to ProRes for FCP X
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 Nikon D3400 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.

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