This post helps those who are having issues transcoding XDCAM EX to ProRes in FCP X. It introduces an easy and affordable app to convert XDCAM EX MP4 files to ProRes before bringing them into FCP X.
A user question regarding transcoding XDCAM EX to ProRes in FCP X
“I installed Sony’s XDCAM plug-in (PDZK-LT2) for FCPX, 10.0.9. So now I can get XDCAM EX files into FCPX several ways. FCPX can import the files from either the original BPAV folders, or from the *.mov files created by XDCAM Transfer. I can also send files to FCPX via XDCAM Browser. They don’t seem to produce identical results, at least in terms of the metadata when viewed in FCPX. Each method results in a native XDCAM EX file, playable in FCPX.
The question I have is, why can’t this media be transcoded to ProRes? If I try to transcode the media, the Transcode option is checked, but grayed out.
It appears that since I installed the Sony plug-in for XDCAM, FCPX will only work with this media in its native format. Is that correct?
If I want to use ProRes do I have to transcode it before bringing it into FCPX?”
(Question credit: http://forums.creativecow.net)
The XDCAM EX records using an MP4 file ‘wrapper’ format which although widely available is still a relatively new codec and not yet compatible with all current software packages. FCP X with Sony plugin allows importing from BPAV, but FCP X does not transcode XDCAM EX to ProRes as it considers the format natively easy to work with.
The demo version of HD Video Converter for Mac is free to download and easily converts the XDCAM EX MP4 format media into the more popular media industry adopted MOV wrapper with ProRes 422 codec which FCP X can read, so conversion is easy enough.
Sony XDCAM EX MP4 and FCPX – transcode Sony XDCAM EX MP4 footage to QuickTime .mov with ProRes codec for editing in FCP X
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional Sony XDCAM EX to FCP X 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 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.
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 Sony XDCAM EX MP4 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/7/6 with optimum performance.
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