So I’m starting to collect quite a lot of 4K videos from my Sony a9 and need to compile them a bit. I’m using Final Cut Pro 7 and wouldn’t buy FCP X since Steve Jobs already said in 2010 they are not going pro anymore. So, what’s the Sony a9 XAVC S to Final Cut Pro 7 best workflow.
The fact of the matter is XAVC and XAVC-S, or AVCHD, or any other similar format is very efficient for encoding video data into small file sizes. It is not however easy or quick to decode for high-quality finishing and post production processing. To edit Sony a9 XAVC S in FCP 7, a workaround is to convert XAVC S to ProRes, the most compatible codc for Apple’s Final Cut Pro.
Soured the internet, tried everything I could find and finally applied a utility- Brorsoft Video Converter for Mac, an easy-to-use yet professional XAVC S video converter to solve the issue.
This program features high efficiency and seamless conversion. With it, you can effortlessly convert Sony a9 XAVC S footage to ProRes encoded MOV files – ensuring maximum editing quality and efficiency when working with FCP 7. In addition, the program can also help you transcode any video files to Apple Intermediate Codec, DNxHD, MPEG-2 for smoothly editing with iMovie, Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere, etc.
How to convert and import Sony a9 4K XAVCS clips to FCP 7
Step 1. Import XAVC S videos to the software
Once run the XAVC S video converter, you can click “Add Video” button to load source files.
Step 2. Select the output format
Click “format” bar and choose “Final Cut Pro -> Apple ProRes 422(LT) (*.mov)” as Final Cut Pro compatible codec for editing XAVC S in FCP smoothly. ProRes 422(HQ), Pro Res 422, Pro Res 444, Pro Res 422(Proxy) are all the proper choice.
Tip: Tap “settings” to customize the output parameters- adjust the video size, bitrate, frame rate, audio sample rate, audio channel, etc to get a decent video for editing in Final Cut Pro. Usually 1080p is better choice for editing with Final Cut Pro 7.
Step 3. Start conversion
Click “Convert” button to start encoding 4K XAVC S to Apple ProRes MOV for Final Cut Pro 7. After short conversion, you can transfer your Sony a9 footage into FCP 7 for editing smoothly on Mac.
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