XAVC transcoding with FCP X

10 Final Cut Pro X Startup Screen 600

Only 6 months after the launch of the Sony F5 and F55 and we’ve already seen a dramatic increase in the level of support for the XAVC 10-bit 422 codec by several mainstream NLE’s (if not all of them). For a full list of software compatible with Sony XAVC and Sony RAW checkout my recent article.

Earlier this year I also wrote a step-by-step guide on how to use a free copy of DaVinci to transcode HD/2K/4K XAVC or RAW footage into ProRes or really any myriad of codecs. This article will will show you how you can use either the full or trial version of FCP X to do the same thing. It will also show you how to get XAVC into FCP X if you wish to edit with it.

Final Cut Pro – X – Supports up to 4k XAVC as of version 10.0.8.
Notes:Requires XAVC/XDCAM Plug-in for Apple (PDZK-LT2) downloadable HERE. Needs OSX 10.8.3 or higher but I’ve run it on 10.8.2 without issues.

1.) Import your XAVC (4k or 2k source files) using the standard Import Media icon, or navigate to FILE -> IMPORT -> MEDIA from the menu bar.

XAVCproxy1

2.) Navigate to where your clips are located, and be advised that your FCP X will not be able to find the individual clip files on your computer if you have modified the structure of how it is on the cards. ie. you must keep XDROOT -> CLIP with all the associated files from the root folder of XDROOT.

XAVCproxy2

3.) If you turn on your background tasks (Command + 9) you can see the status of the conversion to ProRes 422.

XAVCproxy3

4.) Once your clips are processed and converted to ProRes you can find them on your MAC using the following similar path:

XAVCproxy4

  1. ConnerProConnerPro12-23-2013

    Final Cut Pro X makes a few important advances lately, can’t
    wait for the future!

  2. BenBen01-20-2014

    Hello,

    I would like to test XAVC 4K workflow in FCP X, but I don’t have a card structure. Can I download it somwhere or could you send me sample with all structure?

    Regards.

    • Dennis HingsbergDennis Hingsberg01-21-2014

      I’ve uploaded a sample card structure you can use to import 4k XAVC MXF files into Final Cut X. Just place your MXF file into the ‘Clip’ directory and keep the XDROOT as your main folder. Good luck and report back if it worked: http://www.starcentral.ca/forums/XDROOT.zip

  3. Scott ImlerScott Imler10-17-2014

    Dennis thanks for this have you noticed any difference in render speeds between FCP and Resolve while going from XAVC to ProRes

    • Dennis HingsbergDennis Hingsberg10-17-2014

      No problem, I hope you found it useful. In my experience Resolve seems quite slow at transcoding compared to FCP, also if your computer is not so beefy then I’d probably opt for using FCP.

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