Importing video files and projects into Final Cut Pro X

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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.

fcp x

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.

import videos

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.

log and transfer

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.