How to import .mpg video into FCPX?

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Level 1

5 points

How to import .mpg video into FCPX?

Moving over from the PC side, and I've got a ton of .mpg video I need to edit in FCPX. What's the best way to convert it so that FCPX will import it?

Final Cut Pro X, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 2, 2011 10:35 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Filip_kbh

Level 1

4 points

Jan 30, 2014 1:17 PM in response to seancfromnyc

Here is how to do it - and you don't need to buy any software:

1) Open your .mpg file in Quicktime

2) Choose "Export" as 720p

Now Quicktime exports your file to a .mov file that can be used in FCP or iMovie.

Enjoy!

Filip

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Answer 2

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,992 points

Jul 2, 2011 10:39 AM in response to seancfromnyc

.mpg doesn't mean much. You need to give specific information about the media exact specifications. MPEG-1, -2, -4, what codec, size, rate, etc. You might need to convert it before you can bring it into Final Cut.

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Answer 3

seancfromnyc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 2, 2011 11:13 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Unfortunately, I didn't shoot it, and the person who did isn't available. Guess I'm going to have to covert it, more or less blind. Any suggestions on a converter app that might be smart enough to handle this?

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Answer 4

Jul 2, 2011 11:59 AM in response to seancfromnyc

You can find out what type of codec was used in the MPG file if Quicktime will play it. Open the file in Quicktime and then open the inspector window. It will show you the codec used.

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Answer 5

seancfromnyc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 2, 2011 12:02 PM in response to Thomas Emmerich

Tried that, thanks...QT won't play it. :-/

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Answer 6

seancfromnyc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 2, 2011 12:09 PM in response to seancfromnyc

Okay, a friend of mine told me to try http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en to get the video information, and here it is. What could convert this for FCPX?

Format : MPEG-PS

File size : 2.78 GiB

Duration : 47mn 34s

Overall bit rate : 8 371 Kbps

Video

ID : 224 (0xE0)

Format : MPEG Video

Format version : Version 2

Format profile : Main@Main

Format settings, BVOP : Yes

Format settings, Matrix : Default

Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=15

Duration : 47mn 34s

Bit rate mode : Variable

Bit rate : 8 300 Kbps

Width : 720 pixels

Height : 480 pixels

Display aspect ratio : 4:3

Frame rate : 29.970 fps

Standard : NTSC

Color space : YUV

Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0

Bit depth : 8 bits

Scan type : Interlaced

Scan order : Top Field First

Compression mode : Lossy

Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.801

Stream size : 2.64 GiB (95%)

Audio

ID : 189 (0xBD)-128 (0x80)

Format : AC-3

Format/Info : Audio Coding 3

Mode extension : CM (complete main)

Muxing mode : DVD-Video

Duration : 47mn 34s

Bit rate mode : Constant

Bit rate : 256 Kbps

Channel(s) : 2 channels

Channel positions : Front: L R

Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz

Bit depth : 16 bits

Compression mode : Lossy

Stream size : 87.1 MiB (3%)

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Answer 7

Jul 2, 2011 12:41 PM in response to seancfromnyc

Your file is MPEG2 which cannot be played in Quicktime without Apple's Quicktime MPEG component for $20. But that will only get you playback unless you have Quicktime Pro.

I suggest trying iVI Pro which can convert many formats. The standard version is available on the Mac App Store for $3.99. The Pro version can only be had from the developer's site because it can import DVD VOB files and Apple won't allow that on the Mac App Store.

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Answer 8

Jul 2, 2011 2:34 PM in response to seancfromnyc

I would suggest that you download and install MPEG Streamclip from Squared 5 which is free.

You can drag your clip into MPEG Streamclip. MPEG Streamclip will tell you if you need the $20 Apple QuickTime MPEG2 Playback Component. If so, you can download this from Apple.

Then, in MPEG Streamclip, use FILE/EXPORT USING QUICKTIME to export in ProRes 422 or Apple Intermediate Codec.

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Answer 9

yuyuxier

Level 1

10 points

Oct 8, 2013 2:40 AM in response to seancfromnyc

Convert your mpg videos to mov with avideo converter.

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Answer 10

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,992 points

Oct 8, 2013 4:14 AM in response to yuyuxier

Don't buy this. Use the free MPEG Streamclip. It will convert to QuickTime in a professional codec.

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Answer 11

Oct 9, 2013 2:01 AM in response to seancfromnyc

Yeah, you can convert to Quick Time supported video formats:- avi, mpeg-2, mpeg-4...

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Answer 12

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,992 points

Oct 9, 2013 2:24 AM in response to ziselxier

You don't want to convert to AVI or MPEG-4. Where are the ProRes codecs? Where is DVCPRO 50? Terrible list. Don't buy this product when you don't need it.

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Answer 13

Mar 20, 2014 6:42 AM in response to Filip_kbh

This worked for me, thanks.

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Answer 14

ajkelli

Level 1

0 points

Apr 19, 2014 2:50 PM in response to seancfromnyc

How do i convert it?

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Answer 15

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,992 points

Apr 19, 2014 3:12 PM in response to ajkelli

How do you convert what? MPEG is a framework used in multiple video formats with multiple codecs. Are you talking about MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and what exact specs?

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