JGB7

Q: Canon MXF files in Final Cut Pro X

I just purchased a new Macbook Pro with OS X El Capitan version 10.11.5. I am a video editor coming from a PC with Adobe Premiere CS6, so I purchased Final Cut X to do some editing. The version of Final Cut X I am running is 10.2.3.

 

I have begun importing a combination of MP4, MTS, and MXF files into Final Cut X so I can start editing. I am impressed that Final Cut recognizes and imports all of the native footage without having to convert or install 3rd party plugins. The only problem I seem to be having is that I can not figure out how to import the MXF files from my Canon C300 as single large clips. I can only bring them in as spanned clips.

 

In Adobe Premiere CS6, I can use the media browser to import 1 clip that is say 56 minutes long (one continuous recording). In Final Cut Pro X, I only have the option of importing each of the 7 minute clips separately. I know they are spanned when they are recorded into 4 GB chunks but is there any way to import them into Final Cut Pro X where they are not spanned, but as 1 clip? I am new to Final Cut Pro X, so maybe I am just missing how this is done. I couldn't find any information on the internet, so hopefully someone here can help.

 

Joe

Final Cut Pro X, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), Final Cut Pro X (10.2.3)

Posted on Jun 18, 2016 4:42 PM

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Q: Canon MXF files in Final Cut Pro X

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  • by BenB,

    BenB BenB Jun 20, 2016 8:52 AM in response to JGB7
    Level 6 (9,936 points)
    Audio
    Jun 20, 2016 8:52 AM in response to JGB7

    Are you importing directly from the camera card, or are you copying only the video clips to your hard drive first?  FCPX wants to see the whole camera card format.  There used to be a Canon plugin for FCPX, but I don't think it is needed any longer.

  • by JGB7,

    JGB7 JGB7 Jun 20, 2016 11:23 AM in response to BenB
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 20, 2016 11:23 AM in response to BenB

    I created a duplicate file structure on my hard drive. Every folder and file is the same so it appears as though reading off the card. The files import great without any problems at all, but I was just used to the Adobe Media importer knowing which files were part of the same recording. Instead of showing 12 files for instance in the import list, it would show File 1 (start of 1st recording) and File 8 (start of 2nd recording). I would simply import those 2 files (which represent 2 recordings) and all 12 spanned clips would come in as 2 files. As it stands now, I have to import all 12 clips and place 1-7 back to back in the time line to create the first recording and 8-12 to recreate the 2nd recording. It works well and the the clips go together perfectly but I would prefer not to have all 12 spanned clips in my event.

     

    I am thrilled that Final Cut no longer needs the Canon Plugin at least. Before using Final Cut X I used to read about it being a pain to get these MXF files up and running.

  • by James Cude,

    James Cude James Cude Jun 20, 2016 2:02 PM in response to JGB7
    Level 4 (1,424 points)
    Jun 20, 2016 2:02 PM in response to JGB7

    Make sure you install Pro Video Formats 2.0.4 and Canon Plug-in 3.1 from this support page:

     

    Import XF and XF-AVC media from Canon cameras with Final Cut Pro X

    https://support.apple.com/HT205764

  • by JGB7,

    JGB7 JGB7 Jun 20, 2016 4:45 PM in response to James Cude
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 20, 2016 4:45 PM in response to James Cude

    Thanks James. I will look into that.

  • by rseredyn,

    rseredyn rseredyn Jun 22, 2016 7:27 AM in response to JGB7
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 22, 2016 7:27 AM in response to JGB7

    Hi Joe

    Based on my experience I think you can't import the clips as one clip. Maybe I'm wrong, but FCPX import is organized in the "clips logic".  But: there's easy way to connect the clips. Import the 12 clips  (as you wrote) in one Event, then create 2 projects in this event. In first project put clips numbers 1-7 in timeline and create Compound Clip, in the second project make the same with the clips 8-12  - create Compound Clip based on clips 8-12. Compound clips give you simmilar posibilities for further edit (color, effects, transitions etc.) as one separated clip.

     

    Regards

    Rafal Seredynski


    iMac 5K, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), Final Cut Pro X (10.2.3),