Sony PDW-HD1550 and FCP 7/X workflow


How can I work with Sony PDW-HD1550 XAVC footage in Final Cut Pro flawlessly? You may find an answer to your question in this post. It presents a fast and fluid workflow between Sony PDW-HD1550 and FCP 7/X.
Sony PDW-HD1550
Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software program developed by Apple. The latest version, FCP X, works on Intel-based Mac computers powered by OS X version 10.9 or later. Only the most recent version FCP X has added general QuickTime support for XAVC. The previous version FCP 7 is not compatible with XAVC or XAVC S. To be able to edit Sony PDW-HD1550 XAVC 4K footage in FCP X fast and smoothly, Sony has developed the XAVC/XDCAM Plug-in for Apple (PDZK-LT2). This free of charge plug-in for Mac comes with support for XAVC and XDCAM / XDCAM HD files in FCP allowing viewing and editing capability.

Another faster and fluid workflow for Sony PDW-HD1550 XAVC and FCP 7/X is, transcoding PDW-HD1550 XAVC footage to ProRes. FCP 7/X works with a proper codec technology ProRes. ProRes is a line of intermediate codecs, which means they are intended for use during video editing, and not for practical end-use viewing. In this post, we will guide you through the process of converting PDW-HD1550 XAVC 4K MXF clips to ProRes 422 for use in FCP (X) with optimum performance. This requires third party software like HD Converter for Mac.

Download a free trial of HD Converter for Mac
Sony PDW-HD1550 to FCP Converter for Mac

Sony PDW-HD1550 workflow with FCP – how to rewrap PDW-HD1550 XAVC 4K MXF video to ProRes for FCP?

Follow these steps:
workflow for Sony PDW-HD1550 and FCP 7

Step 1: Run HD Converter for Mac as a professional Sony PDW-HD1550 to FCP 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 under ‘Final Cut Pro’ column. The ProRes codec is workable in FCP X and its former version FCP 7.
Sony PDW-HD1550 XAVC MXF video to ProRes MOV conversion
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 PDW-HD1550 XAVC to ProRes 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 PDW-HD1550 XAVC MXF video to ProRes MOV conversion.

Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes QuickTime files for using in Final Cut Pro X/7 with optimum performance.

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