Edit H.264 in FCP 7/X - Import/Convert H.264 AVI/MOV to Final Cut Pro (El Capitan)

To successfully import H.264 files to Final Cut Pro 7, FCP X for further editing, what should we do?

Q1:Working with .h264 avi in Final Cut

"Anyone import and use h.264 avi files in Final Cut?

I tried to import .h264 avi files in FCP 5.1.4 and it gave me the error 'File Error. Unknown file.'

Is there something I'm missing?
Is there an upgrade that will recognize this file type?"

Q2:Video: MOV/H.264 format for FCP X

"For years I have used a Sony HandyCam with digital tape, inside of a Sony underwater housing to do underwater video. Great quality and editing it in Final Cut Pro is a piece of cake. I have had no compatability issues. Trouble is hauling the housing, the tapes, etc. I am thinking about buying an Olympus TG-2 IHS which records in MOV/H.264 format. One camera to do it all.

I am concerned about editing in FCP X since this format is a compressed format versus the digital tape. Does anyone have any experience to share with this format in FCP X?"

Final Cut Pro offers real-time performance for more than 150 filters and effects. It's amazing, huh? But what if you have some unaccepted H.264 videos? Don't let it be your playback hurdle. Try to convert H.264 to Final Cut Pro on Mac (El Capitan included).

Although there are many guys recommend the MPEG Streamclip, half guys give the feedback that the output videos from MPEG Streamclip can’t work well with FCP: “When I import the videos with this new codec and try to edit it, it still lags and it's annoying to edit in FCP.”.



So, let's try a 3rd party tool called - Brorsoft Video Converter for Mac

The program is an easy-to-use yet professional H.264 encoder for Mac. It's able to convert H.264 files from Canon EOS 70D, Canon 5D Mark III, GoPro Hero, Nikon DSLR to Final Cut Pro X, FCP 7/6 more compatible ProRes 422, ProRes 4444 video. With it, you may also encode H.264 to Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Premiere Elements, FCE, iMovie, Avid Media Composer and more NLE programs highly compatible formats for editing.

Note: It is another popular video converter app for converting H.264 videos for Final Cut Pro. It provides the optimal presets ProRes 422, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422 LT, ProRes 4444. You can choose a codec based on your FCP version. I tired the software and found the output videos works in Final Cut Pro smoothly with the best quality as I want. Here I’d like to share a detailed guide on encoding H.264 to ProRes for FCP with Brorsoft Video Converter for Mac.

Converting H.264 files to edit in Final Cut Pro X

1. Launch the H.264 to Final Cut Pro Converter, you can click "Add Video" button to load source files. Convert supports batch conversion, so you are allowed to add multiple files to convert at a time.



2. Click the "Format" bar and select Final Cut Pro> Apple PreRes 422(*.mov) as output format. This format is specially designed for FCP, so that you can edit your original H.264 video in Final Cut Pro perfectly.



3. Adjust the video and audio parameters, including the Bitrate of Video&Audio, Video Size, Sample Rate, Frame Rate, Audio Channels, etc., by clicking the Settings button on the main interface for getting the best quality.

4. Click the Convert button to start transcoding H.264 footage for FCP X with the best H.264 encoder for Mac.

After the process completes, click "Open" button to find the generated videos, and then you can transfer the converted H.264 files to FCP X or FCP 6/7 easily and quickly.

More Guides:
Play H.265 in WMP
Play H.265 in VLC
Convert H.264 to H.265
H.265 Codec and iMovie
H.265 Codec and Premiere
How to Convert and Import H.264 to iMovie
How to Open and Edit H.264 in Sony Vegas Pro
Converting H.264 files to edit in Final Cut Pro X