Workflow guide for Nikon D500 and FCP X


This post helps those who are facing issues importing and editing Nikon D500 4k/1080-60p MOV movies in FCP X. If you are in such a situation, you can follow this guide to learn a way of converting D500 4k/1080-60p video to ProRes for use in FCP X flawlessly.
import and edit Nikon D500 4k/1080-60p MOV in FCP X
Nikon D500 60p clips are choppy in FCP X
“Hi, there, I’m trying to work with some 60p .mov files from my new Nikon D500. At first I was glad that it was MOV file and I don’t have to convert them, but then I found out that when play those 60fps video clips in Final Cut Pro X, the image is choppy and broken. I cannot find the specific answers to this question anywhere….Can anyone help please?”

Just like the D5, the D500 is an update of the Nikon’s video capability. The D500 has the ability to capture striking 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 video at 24, 25, or 30 frames per second, as well as Full HD (1080p) video at a variety of frame rates (60fps/50fps/30fps/25fps/24fps) in MOV format. If for whatever reason you are having issues working with D500 4k/1080-60p MOV movies in FCP X, we would recommend transcoding them to an intermediate codec that is best suitable for FCP X first, such as ProRes codec. Read on to learn a quick guide how to convert Nikon D500 video to ProRes for FCP X editing.

Nikon D500 4k/1080-60p and FCPX – transcode Nikon D500 4k/1080-60p footage to QuickTime .mov with ProRes codec for editing in FCP X

Software requirement
HD Video Converter for Mac
convert D500 4k/1080-60p video to ProRes

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional Nikon D500 video to FCP X Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
convert Nikon D500 video to ProRes for FCP X

Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for opening with FCP X
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 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.
Nikon D500 60p clips are choppy in 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 D500 4k/1080-60p 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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