Importing video files and projects into Final Cut Pro X

Though Apple claims Final Cut Pro X “a revolutionary new version of the world’s most popular Pro video editing software”, we see more negative reviews than positive ones since the release of Final Cut Pro X version 1.0. There has been a ton of complaints regarding Final Cut Pro X. It has been accused of “Apple’s biggest mistake” (by Kevin Hall) and “ruining everything”. It is understandable that a 1.0 release is difficult and not every feature can be added. However, the biggest problem is that Final Cut Pro 7 support ended. Final Cut Pro 7, which is for now the better product, will be going away. This urged me to move to FCP X, which I find later is very different from FCP 7. Here’re some tips for those who feel like to give a shoot to FCP X, mainly about importing media to FCP X.
1. Log and Transfer is replaced with Import From Camera

In Final Cut Pro 7 we choose File > Log and Transfer to ingest/load HD footage from a digital camcorder. In Final Cut Pro X the thing is different, because there’s no Log and Transfer option. To load a tapeless recording media from camcorder, you need to follow File > Import From Camera… instead. Apple has added a page for user to check whether their cameras are supported by FCP X, which is helpful. Click to learn Final Cut Pro X Supported Cameras.

2. iMovie project is supported, but FCP 7 project is not.
The funny thing about new is that no matter what the Madison Avenue folks think, the first thing we associate with “new” isn’t “improved,” it’s “different.” The lack of support for importing Final Cut Pro 7 projects clearly shows us how “different” FCP X is. The good thing is now you can import iMovie project and medias from iMovie Event Library.

3. Be compatible with iPad 2 and SD card.
It is not surprising that Apple added iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPod touch 4 to the support list of FCP X. But I find FCP X performs really FAST when importing and editing MP4 videos. And FCPX will import a memory card in the background, allowing you to edit the footage directly from the card and then replace it seamlessly with the media on the hard disk once the transfer is complete. I think this is a great idea.

4. Import errors? Unsupported file types?
People have been reporting load errors with FCP X in Apple forum. I had received error message when tying to load .mxf clips taken with my Canon XF105. FCP X should work with AVCHD videos but the .mts files also turned gray when I tried to importing them to FCP X. Maybe I missed something here but after transcoding to Apple ProRes 422 codec the videos are loaded to Final Cut X instantly (without rendering). The codec pack I used for transcoding- Pavtube HD Video Converter Mac.

Anyway, Final Cut Pro X is here, probably to stay, which is good because it is a good product that will continue to get better. So, use the new app and be ready for the day when Final Cut Pro X become matured enough to be a viable replacement.

[Hot News]Convert Canon XF105 MXF to Apple ProRes MOV for FCP X

You must be disappointed when the FCP X failed to import recordings from Canon XF105. Well, don’t blame to the Final Cut Pro X, the “Import from Camera…” option works just like “Log and Transfer”. The thing is, even FCP 7 does not work with the Canon XF codec. The XF105 (XF300/XF305) utilizes Canon’s XF Codec – a file-based MPEG-2 compression with an MXF File Wrapper that ensures the widest compatibility with existing industry infrastructure, metadata and non-linear editing (NLE) systems. The codec’s 4:2:2 color sampling provides ultra-fine transitions in tone and color for maintaining the highest image quality needed for advanced post production processing. If you want to edit with MXF natively, get Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5…Or convert the Canon MXF to Final Cut Pro X can edit natively, say Apple ProRes 422 encoded MOV format. Here’s a detailed workaround for getting Canon MXF shootings into FCP X.

Preparation
1. Transfer the .mxf clips to Mac HDD.

2. Get Pavtube MXF to MOV Converter for Mac.

Transcode/Convert Canon XF105 recordings to Apple ProRes 422

Step 1. Launch the Pavtube Canon XF105 MXF video Converter for Mac.
Click “Add” and browse to a Canon .mxf clip and the software will add it to file list. Repeat the operation to load multiple .mxf videos.

Step 2. Click on “Format” and choose “Final Cut Pro > Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)”.

Step 3. Click “Convert” to start transcoding the Canon XF105 MPEG2 recordings to Apple ProRes with the Canon XF105 Video Converter for Mac
After conversion click “Open” to find .mov videos.

Some more helpful features of the app:
1. Settings- click to set video resolution(1920×1080/1440×1080/1280×720/720×480), bitrate（from 1Mbps to 20Mbps）, frame rate (24p/30p)

2. Editor (next to “Add” icon)- click to set deinterlace, denoise, mute, volume up, trim, crop, etc.

Load/Import converted Canon XF105 footage to Final Cut Pro X

Step 1. Start up Final Cut Pro X, follow “File > Import > Files”.

Step 2. Browse to the converted .mov video in the “Import Files” window. Press “Open” at the right bottom.

Now the Canon XF105 footage successfully imported to FCP X and you can get down to video editing.

Converting/Import Canon XF305 MXF files to Apple ProRes 422 and edit in Final Cut Pro

The Canon XF305 Professional Camcorder features 50Mbps MPEG-2 4:2:2 recording to universally available Compact Flash (CF) cards for unsurpassed image quality and efficient, robust workflow at an affordable price.Utilizing file-based MPEG-2 compression with an MXF File Wrapper ensures the widest compatibility with existing industry infrastructure, metadata and non-linear editing (NLE) systems.

Wanna edit the Canon xf305 MXF files in FCP?Convert the MXF into Final Cut Pro friendly codec first.As to the best codec for FCP editing,Apple ProRes 422 should be the top one codec packs.You can use the MXF to ProRes 422 Converterto convert MXF to Mov.

The following guide is written to help you converting/import/transcoding Canon xf305 MXF files to Apple ProRes 422 and edit in Final Cut Pro.

Step 1. Run Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac . Click “Add” button and import the Canon XF305 MXF files.

Step 2. Click on “Format” bar and follow “Final Cut Pro” template to set a FCP friendly format. For Full HD MXF files, you are advised to Follow “Final Cut Pro” template and “Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)” format. If you prefer smaller file size, choose “Apple ProRes 422 (LT) (*.mov)” instead. The “Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) (*.mov)” format offers file size at SD levels and is recommended for 480i/p and 576i/p shootings. The “Apple ProRes 4444(*.mov)” creates videos in lossless quality at huge file size, and is not recommended for home video making.

Step 3. Click “Browse” button to set a location on your HDD for the output video file. Make sure there are enough disk space for saving generated files.

Step 4. Click “Convert” to start transferring Canon XF305 MXF Files to Apple ProRes 422 codec. After conversion just click the “Open” button to locate converted video files for importing to FCP. As Apple ProRes codecs are natively supported by FCP, the rendering time is saved as well.

Import/convert Canon XF100 MXF to AIC MOV and edit for Canon XF100 MXF to AIC MOV

I have .mxf files from my new Canon XF100, when I take the MXF files to Final Cut Express to be edited, I failed. After searching google, I need a program to transfer the recorded files MXF files into something FCE can recognize .

The Canon XF100 supports the highest HD quality with Full HD 1920×1080 resolution with Canon XF codec, up to 50Mbps bit rate and 4:2:2 color sampling. If you would like to edit the recorded .mxf video on iMac with FCE, you need convert the MXF files to AIC MOV which is the free and useful part of the Apple Mac iLife.

While looking for solutions to import Canon XF100 MXF to FCE on iMac, I downloaded and tried several converters. Only Canon MXF Video Converter for Mac from Pavtube Studion works for me. I like the batch processing and joining of multiple mxf videos into one file. The editing feature to trim the recorded videos is great, as I can control the content for conversion.

To help those who may face the same problem like me, or want to rewrap MXF to AIC .mov on Mac for HD editing in Final Cut Express, I here list a few steps with the fast AIC video conversion.

1. Capture/Import MXF files to Pavtube Video Converter for Mac.
Connect Canon XF100 camcorder to computer via USB cable, and launch the 2011 best MXF to FCE Converter for Mac from Application folder. With built-in wizard, you can easily to capture MXF video footage from camcorder to the program. click the “Add” button to load .mxf videos. This Canon MXF Video Convetrer can convert Canon XF100 mxf export lossless compression video/audio compatible with FCE on Mac..

2. Choose MOV with Apple Intermediate Code AIC output format.

Click the “Format” option and choose ” Final Cut” > “Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*mov)” as output format with high quality for Final Cut Express. To get 1080 videos, we need to click the “Settings” button and choose 1920*1080 as output video size, Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) as output video codec.

3. Merge Canon XF100 MXF files into one. (optional)

Tick the checkbox for “Merge into one file”, and the Mac 2011 best Canon XF100 MXF Video Converter will join and combine the video clips into a single file as output.

4. Edit and trim Canon XF100 MXF videos. (optional)

Select the file you want to trim and click the “Edit” button, you will face the Edit window with original video and output video preview. You can enter exact time point as the set in and set out for trimming.

5. Convert Canon XF100 MXF to AIC MOV for FCE on Mac.

Click the convert button under the preview window, and the 2011 best Mac Canon MXF video converter will start the conversion from Canon XF100 MXF to AIC MOV for Final Cut Express on Mac.

Tips:
For some Mac users, when editing the MXF videos via the Editor windows of Canon MXF Converter for Mac, the video and sound may go output sync sometimes, making it somewhat difficult to find the trim location. But the output videos would play without sync problem after conversion.

Enjoy/Playing Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 AVCHD Lite HD Movies-720p MTS to 720p MP4

The Panasonic ZS7 opts instead for a roomy 3.0-inch LCD display with excellent 460,000 dot resolution on which images and videos are both framed and reviewed. The Panasonic ZS7′s lens has a maximum aperture that varies from f/3.3 to f/4.9 across the zoom range. The minimum focusing distance for the Panasonic DMC-ZS7 is ordinarily 50 centimeters, but drops to just three centimeters when switched to Macro mode.

To enjoy the 720p HD videos on computer, we shall use the AVCHD Lite format instead of Motion JPEG. However, after transferring the AVCHD Lite .mts files from DMC-ZS7 to computer hard drive, you may find the HD videos do not play on Windows laptop. But MP4 format is compatible to most computers. It is recommended that you use Panasonic AVCHD Lite converter to transcode 720p MTS to 720p MP4 for playback on computer. Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter is the best Panasonic AVCHD Lite converter with fast conversion.

Here I would like to demonstrate the quick steps to make it easy to enjoy 720p videos on Windows computer.

Step 1. Load Panasonic AVCHD Lite videos to Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter.
Run Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter as the Panasonic MTS to MP4 converter, and click the “Add” button to load .mts videos.

Step 2. Choose MP4 output format.
Click the “Format” option, and choose Common Video > H.264 Video (*.mp4) as output format, and the Panasonic AVCHD Lite converter will transcode MTS to H.264 MP4 with original video resolution 1280×720.

Step 3. Convert Panasonic AVCHD Lite to MP4.
Click the convert button under the preview window, the conversion from Panasonic 720p MTS to MP4 in H.264 codec starts immediately, and the output videos will be compatible to all media players on Windows like Windows Media Player, VLC media player, QuickTime Player.

Tips:
For Mac users using Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard, you can use the Mac Panasonic AVCHD Lite converter to transcode MTS to MOV for playback on QuickTime Player.

[MTS/M2TS to WMV]Convert AVCHD Camera MTS/M2TS Videos to WMV for After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a digital motion graphics and compositing software published by Adobe Systems, used in the post-production process of filmmaking and television production. Its main uses are the origination of 2D and 2.5D animation, visual effects compositing and finishing (image adjustement, color correction etc.). After Effects can also be used as a basic non-linear editor and a media transcoder.
Even though Adobe After Effects now supports AVCHD MTS/M2TS files import, however, I still face problems for the MTS files.

I shot videos with Panasonic AG-HMC 151 and the clips are saved in .mts extension from the camcorder. I can add .mts videos to After Effects project for composition, but the video playback is not smooth and it hops back and forth. I was informed that it must be the decoding issue for AVCHD videos. I then find Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter to convert the avchd mts footage to wmv for Adobe After Effects.

Step 1. Load Panasonic MTS videos to Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter.
When the .mts videos are captured and transferred from Panasonic camcorder to computer, we can easily add videos to the MTS to WMV converter. Click Add button to load .mts videos. If your camera exports .m2ts files, you can also load the videos to the AVCHD converter.

Step 2. Choose WMV output for After Effects.
Click the Format option and choose Adobe Premiere/Sony Vegas > WMV (VC-1) (*.wmv) as output format. I am choosing the Adobe Premiere group as Affter Effects imports like Adobe Premiere. The AVCHD converter will export wmv videos with original video resolution, and make the HD videos stable on After Effects.

I also click the Settings button and choose original from the Bitrate option, as I want the exported videos to keep the original video quality.

Step 3. Convert Panasonic MTS to WMV for After Effects.
Click the convert button on the bottom-right corner, and the AVCHD converter starts converting Panasonic .mts videos to .wmv in high definition for importing and editing on Adobe After Effects.

Tips:
Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter also helps you merge several video footages to one file. You can also crop and trim camera videos for output. If you are using the Apple Mac computer, just try the AVCHD converter for Mac.

[Sharing]Editing Sony HXR-NX5E to Edius 5 in Real-Time

NXCAM is Sony’s all-new product name for their entirely new Sony digital video production system. It’s not DV or HDV, it’s not XDCAM EX, it’s something else entirely. NXCAM is Sony’s AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) camcorder system, but there’s a difference: this is Sony’s ‘Professional’ AVCHD camcorder system. Until now Sony haven’t had any serious-level AVCHD products; quite surprising considering Sony jointly invented the AVCHD codec with Panasonic. But all that is about to change with their first professional hand-held AVCHD camcorder; the HXR-NX5E, under the all-new NXCAM brand.

The HD videos are generally saved in the following folder structure: AVCHD > BDMV > STREAM > 00001.MTS, 00002.MTS and so on. It is easy to download AVCHD files from Sony HXR-NX5E to Edius 5. But you may sometimes face difficulties working in realtime or using any filters or effects or playing Sony HXR-NX5E MTS on Edius 5.

One of the solutions is to update your computer to super fast PC. For example use Quad core, fast hard disk, a graphics card for the GPU to process video stream and a 64-bit operating system such as Windows 7. If you do not have these items, the timeline playback will stutter.
Another solution is you may try Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter to convert Sony HXR-NX5E AVCHD to MPG for editing on Timeline of Edius 5 without choppy playback.
Below are the simple steps for converting Sony HXR-NX5E MTS to MPG for editing videos in Edius with smooth playback.
1. Free download and run Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter as Sony HXR-NX5E to Edius converter, and click the Add button to load AVCHD files for conversion.

2. Choose HD Video > MPEG-2 HD Video(*.mpg) as output format, and click the button on bottom-right corner to start conversion.
If you use 1080/60i or 1080/50i as recording format, you will also want to deinterlace 1080i video to progressive mode by clicking the Editor button and check the box for deinterlacing under the Effect tab. If you are using 1080/25p or 1080/30p, you do not need to deinterlace videos.

M2TS to H.264 mp4-Import Panasonic HDC-SD60 HD M2TS to Adobe Premiere Elements

A more affordable model in Panasonic’s HDC series of camcorders, the HDC-SD60 ($429.99 list) sports a 2.11-megapixel MOS sensor and a 35.7-millimeter lens with 35x intelligent zoom. It’s about $300 cheaper than the HDC-SD600 ($729.99 list), and features a 2.7-inch LCD.
Panasonic HDC-SD60 records videos and capture photos onto an SDXC, SDHC, or SD Memory Card with 16Gb, 32Gb and 64Gb. Even though the AVCHD camcorder records 1080/50i video for PAL model, and 1080/60i for NTSC model, the audio is stored as Dolby Digital 2ch stereo and video up to 17Mbps.

You may face problem when trying to import the MTS files from HDC-SD60 to Adobe Premiere Elements, e.g. Adobe Premiere pops up error message for not supporting the .mts, or the quality of the rendered video footage is degraded. Here I would recommend you to use Pavtube MTS/M2TS converter to convert HDC-SD60 M2TS to MP4 for Adobe Premiere Elements. The Panasonic HDC-SD60 MTS converter does not only convert MTS to MP4 with perfect video and audio synchronization, but also deinterlaces mts with interlacing mode to progressive to get rid of choppy video playback on computer.
Well, just follow the steps below, and you can edit HD video shot by Panasonic AVCHD camcorders like HDC-SD60, Lumix DMC-ZS7, ZS3, HDC-TM350, HDC-TM700 with Adobe Premiere Elements 7, Premiere Pro CS3, etc.

Step 1. Load Panasonic AVCHD videos to Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter.
Transfer Panasonic HDC-SD60 .mts files from camera to computer hard drive. Run Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter as the brilliant Panasonic MTS to MP4 converter, and click the “Add” button to load .mts videos.

Step 2. Choose HD MP4 format.
Click the “Format” option, and choose HD Video > H.264 HD Video(*.mp4) as output format, and the Panasonic MTS converter will transcode 1080i MTS to 1080p MP4 with H.264 codec. There are also profiles for Adobe Premiere with formats like .wmv, .mpg and .mov.

Step 3. Convert AVCHD to MP4 for Final Cut.
Click the convert button under the preview window, the conversion from Panasonic HDC-SD60 MTS to MP4 for Adobe Premiere starts immediately. With the default settings, the Panasonic AVCHD converter will deinterlace and remove interlacing artifacts from HDC-SD60.

Convert/transcode Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 AVCHD MTS files to AIC for iMovie

The Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 is handheld digital camcorder released in early 2011 alongside the HDR-PJ30V and HDR-PJ50V. It offers 1920 x 1080 high definition resolution letting you record your memories in exceptional Full High Definition quality. Capable of 60p recording and playback via HDMI and compatible HDTV provide stunning clarity and incredibly detailed and smoother playback of your memories. The embedded 16GB flash memory can record and store up to 6 hours of high definition video footage (HD LP mode). The video format that most Sony HDR camcorders record are AVCHD or AVCHD / MPEG-2.

Apple claims that iMovie ’09/11 supports most commonly-used video codecs, including DV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, AVCHD and AIC. However, due to the wide range of media types, and the different ways manufacturers store video on these media types, not all AVCHD camcorders are compatible with iMovie ’09/11. In this case, the workaround for you is using a Mac AVCHD Converter to convert/transcode Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 AVCHD MTS files to AIC for iMovie.

What you will need?
Pavtube Mac AVCHD Converter

Guide on how to convert/transcode Sony Handycam HDR-PJ10 AVCHD MTS files to AIC for iMovie

Step 1: Free download Pavtube Mac AVCHD Converter, install and run it.
Once run the program, you can click “Add” button to load AVCHD MTS files. The Mac MTS converter supports batch conversion, so you are allowed to add multiple files to convert at a time. Meanwhile, if you wanna combine multiple files into a single AIC encoded .mov file, you can put a checkmark in the checkbox “Merge into one file”.

Step 2: Select Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov) as output format for iMovie
In order to convert AVCHD to AIC for iMovie, you just need select AIC (*.mov) as output format for iMovie. Please click on the dropdown menu of “Format”, and then follow “QuickTime Movie Format” > “Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)”.

By the way, the Mac AVCHD Converter also supports output Apple ProRes format for using in Final Cut Pro, you can visit how to convert AVCHD footage to Apple ProRes 422 encoded files for Final Cut Pro to learn more.

Step 3: Adjust audio and video settings
The Mac MTS converter enables users to adjust audio and video settings before transcoding MTS to iMovie AIC.Click “Settings” button, then you will enter the following interface, on which you are allowed to customize size, bit rate, frame rate, sample rate, and audio channel to your required ones.

Step 4: Convert/transcode AVCHD MTS files to AIC
Click “Convert” button to start transcoding MTS to iMovie AIC. With perfect audio and video synchronization technology, the Mac AVCHD Converter will never cause you any audio and video out of sync issues, which is much better than other similar tools in the market. When the conversion is finished, you can click “Open” button to get the final output AIC MOV files with ease.

How to convert Sony Handycam HDR-XR160 AVCHD/MTS Files to MOV for iMovie on Mac?

Take stunning 1920 x 1080 Full HD video with the compact HDR-XR160 Handycam camcorder. It features an “Exmor R” CMOS sensor for superior low-light performance and wide angle Sony G lens to take in more of the scene, plus 42x extended zoom for getting you closer to the action. Also equipped with a hard disk drive (HDD), you can record and store up to 54 hours of high-definition video footage (HD LP mode). There’s also a vibrant 3.0″ touch-screen display lets you compose and view your shots.

The video format that most Sony HDR camcorders record are AVCHD or AVCHD / MPEG-2. Do you want to convert Sony Handycam HDR-XR160 AVCHD/MTS Files to MOV for iMovie on Mac?The following guide will tell you how to do that.

1. Run Pavtube Video Converter for Mac and add your previously shot AVCHD video to the workspace.

2. Set the output profile to “iMovie” or manually choose the parameter that is available. The MOV format in H.264 codec for example.

3. Set exporting directory and start converting. After you finish, import the converted file to iMovie as a new event. Then you may enhance your movie with wonderful effects now and you can convert Sony Handycam HDR-XR160 AVCHD/MTS Files to MOV for iMovie on Mac.