Converting MP4 to ProRes 422 for editing in Final Cut Pro X

Summary: Facing problems when importing MP4 video files into Final Cut Pro for further editing? This tutorial just aims to solve FCP won’t import MP4 video issues.



When you add video files like MP4 to Final Cut Pro, you’ll be disappointed as Final Cut Pro might not work with some MP4 files sometimes due to the codec issue or other reasons. Let’s have a look at the related issues

Q1: I’m having trouble importing a .mp4 I ripped off a dvd my friend gave me of him playing lacrosse. i plan to make a highlight reel of him to send to colleges. Basically I guess I’m looking to figure out how to convert this .mp4 file to something that will play nice with final cut pro. Any help is much appreciated.

Q2: I’m trying to add an .mp4 file into Final Cut Pro 7 because I want to cut out a scene from a movie for a school assignment. But every time I try to add the file to the viewer I get an error “General error”, so I press OK and then sometimes another error comes up “Error: Out of Memory”, press OK again and nothing happens. Any suggestion to fix it?

If you’re in such a situation that meet issues while editing MP4 video clips(including YouTube MP4 videos, iTunes MP4 videos, Sony XDCAM EX MP4 Camcorder videos, GoPro MP4 footage, DVD rips in .mp4) in FCP, get a fix from this article.

First download and install Brorosft Video Converter for Mac, which is the best workaround for you. The program is an easy-to-use yet professional app which can be used as a MP4 video converter under Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.7 Lion, Snow Leopard 10.6, Leopard 10.5. It is free, clean and safe to install and use. With it, you can effortlessly transcode MP4 to ProRes 422 for Final Cut Pro X/7/6, AIC MOV for iMovie 08/09/11/FCE, MPEG-2 for Adobe Premiere Pro, DNxHD for Avid Media Composer, etc. It works well and converts flawlessly.

Step 1. Run the MP4 to FCP Converter, and then click the “Add” button to load kinds of .mp4 videos. Alternatively, you can directly drag and drop the MP4 files to the software.



Step 2. Click "Format" option and navigate the mouse cursor to choose "Format > Final Cut Pro > Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)" as the output format. It can bring the best workflow when you working with FCP on Mac.



Step 3. Click “Settings” button if you’d like to customize advanced audio and video parameters like Video Codec, aspect ratio, bit rate, frame rate, Audio codec, sample rate, audio channels.

Step 4. Simply click the "Convert" button to start converting MP4 to ProRes; everything else will be automated. If you have added quite a bunch of video files, it would take some time to convert. In such case, you can click Option and tick the box “Shut down the computer after conversion”.

You're done. Now your MP4 files will be converted into MOV files ready to be imported to FCP 6/7/X beautifully.

Additional Tip:

This MP4 to ProRes Converter app not only can encode .MP4 to Final Cut Pro, but also allows you to convert MP4 to Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, iMovie most edit friendly format for smooth workflow. Just choose a proper format from the profile list.

Related posts:

Convert and Import MP4 to iMovie
Import MP4 into Windows Movie Maker
How to edit MP4 in Adobe Premiere Pro