What do I do?
Get an HD capture card... or shoot with a format that allows you to convert to ProRes Proxy, like RED, AVCIntra P2, AVCHD (I think).
Where do I choose the codec, when do I do it (before import/Log & Capture?)
If you have a capture card, it will be in the list of capture card codecs. If you don't, and you are importing one of the tapeless formats mentioned, it is in the Log and Transfer PREFERENCES (sprocket looking menu).
Are all my files duplicated into smaller files making my project larger
Duplicated from.... what? A tape? No, they are captured fresh from a tape. Tapeless? Yes, they are converted to QT files and put into the Capture Scratch folder on your media drive.
and if that is the case should I choose a new 'scratch disk' for my ProRes 422 (Proxy) files so they´re easier to bring on a laptop?
Put them on the drive you intend to use. Are you TRANSCODING already captured footage? What the heck are you doing? Can you give details?
ProRes 4444 - is it enough to just set this as a sequence setting and import my files?
No. You need to set your capture settings to that too...or import settings if the format allows it. Are you just mentioning that format because you want the HIGHEST QUALITY POSSIBLE? Are you trying to convert AVCHD to ProRes 4444?
Dude...go here and read up what ProRes4444 is for:
http://documentation.apple.com/en/finalcutpro/professionalformatsandworkflows/
Can it be that easy?
Depends...do you know what you are doing? Doesn't sound like it...so it may NOT be that easy.
Shane
< Edited by Host >
Dec 16, 2009 5:52 PM
The reliable workaround we've found so far is to transcode P2 MXF to Apple Prores for FCP by using Pavtube P2 MXF Converter for Mac. As for FCP X, Apple ProRes 422 is the best format to read. If not, Final Cut Pro will refuse reading the files or spending much time on the rendering process. Apple ProRes 422 LT, the successor of the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC), is a lossy compressed video intermediate codec used in post-production. It's a version of the Apple ProRes 422 Codec family that's mainly supported by the Final Cut Pro suite. In comparison with the popular H.264, ProRes 422 LT is simpler to decode and keeps higher quality. Apple ProRes is a high quality, lossy video compression format developed by Apple Inc. For use in post-production that supports up to 8K. It is the successor of the Apple Intermediate Codec and was introduced in 2007 with Final Cut Studio 2. The ProRes family of codecs use compression algorithms based on the discrete cosine transform (DCT) technique, much like the H.26x and MPEG standards. Apple ProRes QuickTime Decoder. Play Apple ProRes files through QuickTime. This MOV to ProRes Converter offers the best practice to convert MOV to FCP highly compatible Apple ProRes format within few clicks. Easy Guide to Convert H.264 MOV to ProRes 422 for FCP on Mac. Free download and install MOV to ProRes Converter Mac on your computer. Run the software and click “Import” to add the H.264 MOV files to it.
'I attempted to import .mxf files generated by my Panasonic AG-HVX201 P2 card to Final Cut Pro 7 for editing through Log & Transfer, without much luck, FCP 7 refused to accept those .mxf files. The MXF clips are about a concert and a birthday party. I just want to import P2 MXF to Final Cut Pro for further editing, and then burn them to a DVD using iDVD for saving. These days I've been trying to figure out how to get Final Cut Pro 7 to recognize my MXF recordings, but there is no-go. Can anyone kindly shed some light on this conundrum? Many thanks.'
People who are start using a P2 digital video camera like AG-HPX170 (NTSC version), AG-HPX171 (European version), AG-HPX300, AG-HPX370/371, AG-HPX500, AJ-HPX2100, AJ-HPX2700, AJ-HPX3000, and AJ-HPX3700 often have the same case as quoted above. The reliable workaround we've found so far is to transcode P2 MXF to Apple Prores for FCP by using Pavtube P2 MXF Converter for Mac. As for FCP X, Apple ProRes 422 is the best format to read. If not, Final Cut Pro will refuse reading the files or spending much time on the rendering process.
How to Convert P2 MXF to Apple ProRes 422 on Mac for Final Cut Pro ?
Notes:
1. Please ensure that the computer you are using to do P2 MXF conversion 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. The FCP X does not install the ProApps QuickTime Codecs automatically, so you need download and install the codec manually.
While importing MXF clips to Pavtube MXF to ProRes converter for conversion, please make sure you have the entire MXF file structure as it saved on your camcorder's P2 card. If you only have some loose .MXF clips, your files will have image only without audio. See MXF file structure on Panasonic's P2 card as below.
MXF file structure on Panasonic's P2 card
The above screenshot clearly shows .MXF clips are all saved in 'VIDEO' folder, while audio files are all stored in 'AUDIO' folder. When you importing .MXF clips from the correct file structure, Pavtube MXF to FCP Converter is able to recognize audio tracks from 'AUDIO' folder automatically, which ensures the generated ProRes 422 MOV files have both image and sound correctly.
Step 1: Click 'Add Video' button to import P2 .mxf files
Launch your MXF Converter for Mac on your Mac, this version can support Yosemite without any problem. Then Click 'File'>'Add Video/Audio' to load your files.
Step 2: Choose 'Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)' as output format
Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac has a preset option to choose a format specific to the Final Cut Pro, you can go for Apple ProRes 422 as your output format for FCP, if you want to go for more HD quality and don't care about the generated file size, then you can choose 'Apple ProRes HQ (*.MOV)'.
Tips:
For new users, if you don't know the differences among Apple ProRres codecs, then you can refer to this article for detailed information.
Step 3: Click 'Convert' button to convert P2 MXF on Mac
As soon as the conversion is finished, click 'Open' button to get the generated Apple ProRes 422 MOV files to FCP X for extending editing.
Userful tip:
-Here give a detailed article about how to transfer files into Final Cut Pro.
- If you have a plenty of MXF files and want to convert them as one, you can choose all of them , then click 'Merge into one file' before conversion.
Apple Prores Formats
- Under the 'Edit' UI, you can do simple edits like trim, crop, change aspect ratio, add subtitles or watermark and so on.