Most DSLR cameras and AVCHD camcorders’ recorded footages are in H.264 codec. However, a common problem is that, most software doesn’t support the editing of H.264 footage natively, for example, Final Cut Pro.
“I have some clips in H.264 codec recorded with my Canon 5D Mark III. Now I have problem editing these footages. It seems impossible to import H.264 video into FCP. Any help would be appreciated.”
Oct 16, 2011. Jul 27, 2020.
Don’t worry. To get H.264 video files work smoothly with Final Cut Pro, all you need to do is to convert H.264 footage from Canon DSLR cameras to a higher quality and less compressed Apple ProRes format. It is simple given that you work with the right tool, for example, Jihosoft Video Converter for Mac. This software offers the best practice to transcode H.264 to ProRes 422 codec and then import into FCP X/7/6. Read on to find out.
Part I: How to Convert H.264 to ProRes 422 Codec on Mac
Apr 22, 2013. Warning on OSX: Adobe changed their way of interpreting AfterCodecs ProRes 422, it has now a color shift on reimport in Adobe CC 2019 (only), please use ProRes 4444 Unable to Undo (CTRL+Z) when using automatic AE RQ Comments bug fix, now this feature has its own sub menu in 'Composition' top menu under 'AfterCodecs Settings'.
1. Free download this H.264 to ProRes Converter, install and run it.
2. Import your H.264 footages to the converter and you can preview the video inside the program. 3. Choose Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov) as the output format to edit with FCP X/7/6. 4. Start the conversion from H.264 footage to Apple ProRes 422 for FCP on Mac OS.
Download Prores 422 Codec Mac Os
Part II: How to import H.264 video into Final Cut Pro 7
You’re now ready to import the converted H.264 footages into Final Cut Pro for further editing. Following the below steps to get started.
1. Run FCP 7 on your Mac and start a new project. At the top of the Final Cut Pro Window, go to “File” > “Import” and then choose the “Files” option.
2. From the standard “Choose a File” window, choose the converted H.264 clips. Once the ProRes MOV file is located and highlighted, press the “Choose” button.
Tip: It may take a few seconds or even minutes depending on the file size. If the file is on an external hard drive, it will take even longer. Be patient.
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“Hey I shot some video that is all incapsulated in a AVCHD file. When I double click it, it goes straight to quick time. I tried to export out of quicktime but it doesn’t give me the option to export it at 422 Apple ProRes. So I was wondering what the best solution would be to get best quality and convert AVCHD into ProRes 422. Thanks.”
AVCHD MTS/M2TS ia format for High Definition (HD) video (for recording and playback) that uses 3.2″ mini-DVD discs. Data is compressed using a codec based on the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 standard. AVCHD discs can store video at many different resolutions and frame rates, including 480i at 60fps, 720p at 24, 50, or 60fps, 1080i for 50fps and 60fps, and 1080p at 24fps, 50fps, 60fps, etc. AVCHD is produced by HD camcorder like Panasonic HC-X920, Panasonic AG-AC30, AG-AC7, Panasonic HC-MDH2, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100, HC-V720, Panasonic HC-X1, Panasonic HC-X1000, Panasonic AG-AC8, AG-AC160, Sony NEX-VG900, Sony HXR-MC2500, Sony HDR-CX405, Sony HXR-NX100, Sony PXW-Z150, Sony HDR-CX455, Sony Alpha A6500/A6300/A6000, Canon VIXIA HF R700/R70/R72, Canon HF R60/R62/R600/R606, Canon EOS C100 Mark II, Canon HF G30, Canon XA10, Hitachi DZ-BD10HA, JVC GY-HM70U, GY-HM600, GZ-R70, JVC GY-HM650, etc are not the preferred formats by Final Cut Pro 6/7 and Final Cut Pro X. Even you will have problem for transferring and logging these MTS, M2TS videos.
Apple ProRes 422 is a standard-definition and high-definition lossy video compression format developed by Apple Inc. for use in post production. It was introduced in 2007 with Final Cut Studio 2 and is comparable to Avid’s DNxHD codec which has the same purpose and uses similar bit rates. This is the format I recommend for anyone shooting DSLR, HDV, AVCHD, XDCAM EX, XDCAM HD, AVCAM, or P2. Great image quality, with file sizes 30-35% smaller than ProRes 422 HQ. So for AVCHD in FCP X/7/6 edting, you are recommended to transcode Panasonic, Sony, Canon, JVC, Hitachi AVCHD MTS/M2TS to Apple ProRes 422 for further editing.
To transcode AVCHD to ProRes easily and quickly, you’re highly recommended to use Aiseesoft AVCHD Converter for Mac, a top AVCHD to ProRes Converter which is perfect in transcoding 1080p/1080i AVCHD to ProRes 422 to edit in Final Cut Pro, including FCP 6/7 and FCP X. In addition, it is developed with some easy and useful editing functions, such as deinterlacing 1080i files, joining imported clips together for easy ingesting, trimming section of your file, adding text/image/video watermark to your original files, replacing audio tracks, etc. With it, you can effortlessly get AVCHD files converted to ProRes codec and transfer your Panasonic/Sony/Canon/JVC AVCHD recordings to Final Cut Pro X/7/6.
Free Download AVCHD to ProRes Converter for Mac
Steps of Converting AVCHD to ProRes 422/4444 in a few clicks
Step 1. Run AVCHD to ProRes Converter for Mac. You can import AVCHD footage from your Panasonic/Sony/Canon/JVC camcorder or your computer. And this best AVCHD MTS/M2TS converter support batch conversion, you can load more AVCHD MTS/M2TS video files at once.
Step 2. Press the Format box and select one of the Apple ProRes codecs on the dropdown list. You are advised to choose “Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)”,“Apple ProRes 422 HQ (*.mov)” or Apple ProRes 4444 (*.mov) as the export.
Step 3. You can click “Edit” icon to edit AVCHD recordings via this AVCHD to ProRes Converter. If you need, you can trim, crop the video. Want to get 3D videos? Just adding 3D effect onto the HD videos.
Tip: Before AVCHD to Apple ProRes 422/4444 conversion, you can click settings button to customize the resolution, bitrate and other parameters as you want.
Step 4. Click the “Convert” button in the bottom of the program to start converting AVCHD to ProRes 422/4444. The AVCHD MTS/M2TS to ProRes Converter will convert Panasonic/Sony/Canon/JVC MTS or M2TS to Apple ProRes 422/4444 MOV with high quality.
About ProRes Codec
ProRes is a lossy video compression format developed by Apple Inc. for use in post production that supports up to 4k. It is the successor of the Apple Intermediate Codec and was introduced in 2007 with Final Cut Studio 2. Final Cut Pro (X,7,6) supported Apple ProRes 422 and ProRes 4444 codec editing well.
ProRes 422 Codec: This codec offers nearly all the benefits of Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), but at 66 percent of the data rate for even better multistream, real-time editing performance.
Prores 422 Codec For Windows
ProRes 4444 Codec: This codec offers the best quality for 4:4:4:4 sources and for workflows involving alpha channels.