This post is written for people who are looking for a fast and smooth workflow between Sony XDCAM EX footage and Final Cut Pro X. It displays a workaround to transcode XDCAM EX MP4 files to ProRes 422 for use in FCP X with optimum performance.
There are several outstanding camcorders in Sony’s XDCAM EX line-up, including the PMW-EX1, PMW-EX3, PMW-35 and PMW-EX1R. This full Sony XDCAM EX line-up provides stunning HD picture quality and efficient nonlinear operation, expanding the creative possibilities in every type of HD video production.
To be able to import Sony XDCAM EX media in Final Cut Pro X, you need to install additional XAVC/XDCAM Plug-in for Apple (PDZK-LT2) developed by Sony. If for whatever reason this plugin does not work on your computer system or you do not want to install it, you can use third party converter apps to process ‘transcoded editing’. That means you convert XDCAM EX MP4 video files to a format that is compatible with FCP X before editing, and then import them into FCP X smoothly without incompatibility issues. With HD Video Converter for Mac, you can get access to XDCAM EX MP4 to ProRes 422 conversion for FCP X editing in simple steps.
A quick guide on how to transcode XDCAM EX MP4 media to ProRes 422 for FCP X editing
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional XDCAM EX to ProRes 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 ‘Profile’ list, 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 X. When loading them into FCP X/7, 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 XDCAM EX MP4 video 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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Best Mac XDCAM EX MP4 Converter | Sony EX1/EX3 MP4 to MOV