How to convert XDCAM HD MXF clips to ProRes for FCP?


This thread helps those who are looking for a solution to convert Sony XDCAM HD MXF clips to ProRes codec for use in Final Cut Pro smoothly. If it is what you are looking for, you may follow it to learn the details.

How can I work with Sony XDCAM HD MXF clips in FCP 7?
“Hi, fellows, I just got a Sony XDCAM HD camcorder, which I borrowed from my friend’s company. I haven’t shot or edited Sony XDCAM HD footage with .mxf file extension before. When I import these MXF files to Final Cut Pro 7, it says that the files are not supported, I searched online and many people said the MXF footage need to be converted to ProRes codec. Is that true? What’s the best XDCAM HD MXF to ProRes Converter? Can you give me some suggestions?”

The following sections describe the workflow for editing XDCAM HD natively in Final Cut Pro.
1: Installing Sony XDCAM Transfer Software
2: Connecting an XDCAM Device to Your Computer
3: Ingesting XDCAM Media
4: Choosing an Easy Setup
5: Choosing a Render File Format for XDCAM HD Sequences
6: Editing XDCAM Media Natively
7: Rendering and Conforming XDCAM HD Footage
8: Outputting to XDCAM Media and Other Formats

If the above mentioned method didn’t work smoothly, or you didn’t keep the entire folder structure, we would recommend transcoding XDCAM HD MXF clips to ProRes for a fast and fluid workflow. This requires third party software like HD Video Converter. Read on to learn a quick guide on how to convert XDCAM HD MXF clips to ProRes for FCP.

Here’s what you need
HD Video Converter for Mac
convert Sony XDCAM HD MXF clips to ProRes codec

[Guide] How to encode XDCAM HD MXF video files to ProRes 422 for FCP editing?

Download, install and run HD Video Converter for Mac, then follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter for Mac as a professional XDCAM HD MXF to ProRes Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
work with Sony XDCAM HD MXF clips in FCP 7

Step 2: Select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as output format for opening with FCP 7/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 7 and its most recent version FCP X. When loading them into Final Cut, you needn’t wait for a long time for rendering.
editing XDCAM HD natively in Final Cut Pro
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 HD MXF video files to ProRes conversion.

Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes 422 QuickTime files for transferring and editing in Final Cut Pro 7/X with optimum performance.

To import the transcoded files into Final Cut Pro 7, simply navigate to File > Import > Files and select the converted clips. Alternately you can simply drag and drop the files into your “Bin.”

To import the transcoded files into Final Cut Pro X. navigate to File > Import > Media. In the window that comes up select your transcoded ProRes clips. DO NOT check “Create Optimized Media” OR “Create Proxy Media”. Both of these check boxes are unnecessary because we already converted the media to ProRes which means Final Cut Pro X can use the footage without “optimizing” it. Checking this box would create a redundant and time consuming second transcode of your footage.

You’re now ready to edit!

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