If you are searching for a workflow guide between Sony a7 II and FCP, you may come to the right place. This post displays a workaround to import and edit Sony a7 II XAVC S .mp4 files in FCP (X) fast and fluidly.
How can I import Sony a7 II XAVC S files to FCP 7?
”Hi, guys, I’ve captured a bundle of XAVC S (.mp4) video recordings using a Sony a7 II full-frame mirrorless camera. Now I intend to ingest the XAVC S recordings to FCP 7 for further editing. The big problem is that, FCP is unable able to work with Sony a7 II XAVC S files natively. For a fast and fluid workflow, I need something to convert them to ProRes 422 before editing. Does anyone know a good XAVC S Converter for Mac to accomplish this? I really appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.”
If you want to search for third party program that features ability to convert Sony a7 II XAVC S MP4 files to Apple ProRes for working with FCP with optimum performance, use the HD Video Converter for Mac. This Mac converter program is able to transcode Sony a7 II 1080/60p XAVC-S video at 50Mbps, as well as XAVC S 4K footage captured by other cameras to ProRes for use in FCP with lossless quality. Plus, it can also export AIC .mov, DNxHD .mov, DV .avi, and more editing codecs for use in mainstream NLEs like iMovie, FCE, Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony Vegas, DaVinci Resolve and more. You can download a demo to see if it is able to do what you want in a very simple way.
Download a demo of HD Video Converter for Mac
Sony a7 II XAVC-S workflow with FCP – how to rewrap Sony a7 II XAVC-S MP4 video to ProRes for FCP?
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional Sony a7 II XAVC-S to MOV Converter for Mac. 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 under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column. The ProRes codec is workable in FCP 6, FCP 7 and the most recent version 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.
This Sony a7 II XAVC-S to FCP converter program offers a couple of ProRes formats for users to choose from, including Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422 (LT), Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy), and Apple ProRes 4444, you can select one as target format depending on your requirement in post production.
Apple ProRes 422 – Higher quality than Apple ProRes 422 (LT);
Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) – Keep original video quality for editing in FCP;
Apple ProRes 422 (LT) – Get a smaller file sizes than Apple ProRes 422;
Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) – SD levels – 480i/p and 576i/p. Used in offline workflows.
Apple ProRes 4444 – Edit and finish 4:4:4 material.
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 Sony a7 II XAVC-S MP4 video to ProRes MOV conversion.
Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes QuickTime files for using in Final Cut Pro 6/7/X with optimum performance.
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