As a non-linear video editing software which provides non-destructive editing of any QuickTime-compatible video format including DV, HDV, P2 MXF (DVCProHD), XDCAM (via plug-in), and 2K film formats, Final Cut Pro made up 49% of the United States professional editing market according to a 2007 SCRI study. Such strong user group still leads to some video format incompatibility issues with Final Cut Pro. This is why many people wonder the best video format for Final Cut Pro so as to edit video in it at liberty.>> Final Cut Pro Supported Video Formats for Editing
Well, Final Cut Pro might not work with some MP4 files sometimes due to the codec issue or other reasons. In that case, you might try to find a way to convert MP4 to Final Cut Pro compatible format like MOV, DV, etc.
MP4 is a final delivery lossy video format which is not suitable for editing in non-destructive video editing software like Final Cut Pro. Though Final Cut Pro 7 and Final Cut Pro X update to import MP4 video, it only support MP4 encoded with H.264. If the MP4 is encoded with other video codec, Final Cut Pro X/7 will still fail to import MP4.
See Also: Encode H.264 MP4 to H.265/HEVC MP4 | Play MP4 Files With VLC | Add MP4/MPEG Files to iTunes
How to Import MP4 into Final Cut Pro Successfully?
In order to solve can't import MP4 to Final Cut Pro issue and successfully import various MP4 files to FCP 7 or FCP X, a recommended solution is to convert MP4 to Final Cut Pro more compatible video format like Apple ProRes.
Pavtube Video Converter / Mac Version (TOP Video Converter Review) is just the ideal MP4 to Final Cut Pro Converter! It can easily convert all kinds of MP4 videos whatever recorded from cameras/camcorders or downloaded from website like YouTube, or from other sources to FCP 7, FCP X supported Apple ProRes.
Besides converting MP4 to FCP format, this powerful MP4 Final Cut Pro Converter also helps to convert other video formats like MOV, WMV, AVI, MKV, VOB, AVCHD, MXF, MOD, TOD, RMVB, 3GP, FLV, ASF, SWF and etc.
Furthermore, this ideal MP4 to FCP Converter also features advanced editing functions like trim MP4, crop MP4 black bars, rotate MP4 video, add subtitle/watermark/effect to MP4 files, increase MP4 audio volume, merge several MP4 files into one and etc.
How to Convert MP4 to Final Cut Pro Supported Format?
Below is a detailed guide on how to convert MP4 to Final Cut Pro more compatible video format like convert MP4 to Apple ProRes.
The trail-before-purchase is supported, just feel free to try it, it is 100% clean and safe:
Download and install Pavtube Video Converter on Mac (compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 2000 and Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan, 10.10 Yosemite, 10.9 Mavericks, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.7 Lion, 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.5 Leopard and lower versions). Run this program immediately. We choose the Mac version as the guide, Windows version as the same in the steps.
Notes:
1.When converting video to Final Cut Pro oriented format templates(e.g. Apple Prores), please ensure that your computer has Final Cut Pro installed, otherwise the converted files will have audio only without image.
2.If you are using FCP X, please make sure you have installed ProApps QuickTime Codecs, or you may get files with sound only without video.
Step-by-step Guide:
1. Run this program, you will find the interface is very brief, this program is very easy to use, now please click add files button to import the video files that you want to convert, you can add batch files at one time.
2. After you imported the MP4 files, please choose a video format for output. To edit MP4 files with FCP smoothly, you will need to choose FCP native supported video format, just click the format bar and choose Final Cut Pro -> Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov), you can also choose Apple ProRes 4444 codec MOV format if you need higher quality.
Tips: Read the difference of ProRes.
• Apple ProRes 422 – Higher quality than Apple ProRes 422 (LT);
• Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) – Keep original video quality for editing in FCP;
• Apple ProRes 422 (LT) – Get a smaller file sizes than Apple ProRes 422;
• Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) – SD levels – 480i/p and 576i/p. Used in offline workflows.
• Apple ProRes 4444 – Edit and finish 4:4:4 material.
Actually, different Apple ProRes codec corresponds to different needs. Here you can refer to this article "Differences among Apple ProRes codec".
3. It is available to adjust the output parameters, press the settings button on the main interface and then adjust the resolution, bitrate, frame rate, etc. But if you are not good at it, you’d better use the default parameters, they will ensure you a good balance between file size and image quality basically.
4. When everything is done, you can take a preview by hitting “Play” button. If you are satisfied with the final result, you can click “Convert” button to finish the conversion work.
After finish converting MP4 to Final Cut Pro video, simply import the converted MP4 files to Final Cut Pro for editing.
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