Convert Canon XA20 video to ProRes for FCP X

Summary: Follow this tutorial to learn the best workflow for importing and editing Canon XA20 MTS/MPEG4 files with Final Cut Pro by converting the video files to a FCP X, FCP 7 and FCP 6 most compatible format. Canon XA20: The Canon XA20 Professional HD Camcorder is a compact “run-and-gun” camera that is suitable for ENG, event coverage, independent and documentary filmmaking. The camera features a 1/2.84”, 1920 x 1080 CMOS sensor that captures video at various frame rates up to 59.94p, including a true 24p mode for a more cinematic feel. While it’s still AVCHD, and now supports 1080/60p in that format, it also boosts MPEG-4 support to a 35Mbps 1080/60p codec. Testing: Is anyone looking to get the Canon XA-20 that is upgrading from the XA-10 OR from a high end consumer camera? I have just received my XA20 and I am a very satisfied with the Dual-Format recording function, which can simultaneously record Full 1080p HD video at 60p in either AVCHD Progressive (28Mbps) or MP4 (35Mbps) format for crisp moving images, or record at a lower bit rate and transmit MP4 (3Mbps) format video to cover and quickly upload breaking news via wireless FTP file transfer. Well, what caused me disappointed is the Canon XA20 importing and editing issues with FCP X/7/6, no matter the AVCHD or MP4 footage. There are more than more problems occurred slow rendering, program crashed, can’t recognize the camera… Luckily, our testing confirms that Canon XA20 Video Converter for Mac successfully converts Canon XA20 MTS, MP4 footage. This means that files from the Canon XA20 can be converted and transcoded, and played, edited in applications like Quicktime Player, iMovie, Avid, Adobe, and Final Cut Pro easily without any issue.Canon AVCHD Converter Mac makes Canon XA20 mts/mp4 files editable This Canon XA20 Video Converter Mac gets to the juicy video and audio inside that XA20 mts/mp4 files, and can convert the outputs into NLE friendly format: Apple ProRes for FCP, Apple InterMediate Codec(AIC) for iMoive/FCE, MPEG-2(mpg) for Premiere Pro, DNxHD for Avid MC, etc. Unlike other applications, this video convert app does this without time consuming, quality-sapping transcodes - conversion is quick, lossless, and easy. Guide: Using Canon XA20 AVCHD/MPEG4 in FCP X, FCP 7 and FCP 6 Step 1: Install and launch this Canon XA20 to FCP Converter on your computer. Transfer your Canon footages to the converter. Tip: If you want, you can merge several video clips together by ticking “Merge into one” box. Step 2: Click “format” bar to choose the output format. a. For FCP: Click and choose Final Cut Pro—>Apple ProRes 422(*.mov) as the output format. Note: FCP 6 or earlier version only can support ProRes 422 or ProRes 422(HQ). FCP 7 or above can support Pro Res 422(LT), Pro Res 444Pro and Res 422(Proxy). b. For iMovie/FCE: Click and choose “iMovie and Final Cut Express—> Apple Intermediate Codec(AIC)(*.mov)” as the output format c. For Avid Media Composer: Click and choose Avid Media Composer—>Avid DNxHD(*.mov). d. For Adobe Premiere Pro: click and select Adobe Premiere/Sony Vegas > MPEG-2 (*.mpg). Step 3: Tap “settings” to choose or customize the output parameters, adjust the resolution, bitrate as you want. Set video size as 1920*1080, video frame rate as 25fps is better. (If the original recordings are 1080 60p, pls set 30fps) Step 4: Click convert button on the main interface to start transcoding Canon XA20 mp4/mts to an editable format for your FCP, Premiere, Avid, iMovie on Mac. After the conversion finished , you can click “open” to find the output file, then you can import converted files into FCP/iMovie/Avid MC/Adobe Premiere Pro for editing easily.http://www.hdmediaconverter.com/edit-xa20-avchd-mts-in-fcp-xfcp-7fcp-6/