Importing Canon MXF files to FCP X

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fbcbootie Author

Level 1

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Importing Canon MXF files to FCP X

Canon XF300.

Mountain Lion 10.8.2.

Final Cut Pro X

Many threads seem to point to needing a converter for these files before FCP X will read them.

I've seen a thread or two more recently where someone suggests FCP X will import MXF files directly with no conversion needed. I would like that, but can't seem to verify it works with my scenario. It sure doesn't seem to for me.

Canon has drivers and sofware on their site for the Lion OS, but nothing listed for Mountain Lion, leaving me to believe the drivers are not yet available or not necessary.

When I try importing my footage directly from the camera in the File/Import/Media... screen, FCP X tells me:

"No Importable Files"

"None of the selected files or folders can be imported."

So, can MXF files be imported directly into FCP X or not? If so, what am I missing?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Oct 29, 2012 9:29 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,968 points

Oct 29, 2012 10:35 AM in response to fbcbootie

The threads you're reading may be obosolete.

What version are you using?

You can now import and export MXF files using third-party plug-ins. For a list of supported media files, seeSupported media formats.

You need to get the Canon plugin.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4724?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

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Answer 2

fbcbootie Author

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Oct 29, 2012 12:16 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks Tom.

What version of what? My OS is 10.8.2. My Final Cut is Pro X 10.0.6.

The last link you posted takes me to an article for importing from a Sony XD Cam. Mine is the Canon XF300 but I can't find anything on it.

From what I'm reading on other forums, Canon's FX plugin doesn't appear to work with Mountain Lion. I have sent an email to Canon and await their response.

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Answer 3

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Oct 29, 2012 1:44 PM in response to fbcbootie

According to the Canon siteit doesn't seem to be available for 10.8, but I can confirm it works well in 10.7. Hopefully you'll hear something encouraging from Canon.

Good luck.

Russ

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Answer 4

fbcbootie Author

Level 1

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Oct 30, 2012 4:34 AM in response to Russ H

From canon today:

Thank you for contacting Canon product support regarding a plugin for your XF300.

Unfortunately, no status updates have been provided for the availability of the updates for the Final Cut Pro plugin. I deeply regret the inconvenience this has caused.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your XF300.

Sincerely,

Richard

Technical Support Representative

.

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Answer 5

Oct 30, 2012 6:47 AM in response to Russ H

The plugin installes on 10.8, but I don't have a camera archive from a Canon XF(300) to test with.

If anyone can provide (a small) one, I'll be happy to test..

Update: It was the Sonu plugin that installed.. the Canon has a OS check.. :-/

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Answer 6

fbcbootie Author

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Oct 30, 2012 11:14 AM in response to Jakob Peterhänsel

I got the Sony plugin to install but still cannot import from the Canon XF300.

It really gripes me that they (Canon) can't even tell me if there is a driver in the works or not.

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Answer 7

Nov 8, 2012 5:52 PM in response to fbcbootie

I have a brand new Canon XF300 camcorder. When it was purchased in September 2012, the Canon website said Mountain Lion compatible software would be available mid October. Canon has changed that to "There is no software/utility available for this OS". I have contacted Canon tech support via e-mail and phone about once a week the last 4-5 weeks asking when updates will be made available. The standard answer is always that they (tech support) have not been provided any updated information from the Canon development team. That was until two days ago, when I finally was able to speak to a supervisor who claimed that the problem is not with Canon, but rather with Apple. He claimed that Apple has not provided Canon with the necessary information and plug-in material. As a consumer, I´m caught in the middel. It is time for these two to work this out. It should not take months and months to develop updates third party software after an OS release. So, is this an Apple problem, or is it a Canon problem?

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Answer 8

fbcbootie Author

Level 1

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Nov 9, 2012 4:14 AM in response to tor-eddie

It may be Canon or may be Apple's problem, but ultimately it is ours. I'm content that they'll add it when they want to add it I guess. Until they do, I'll keep converting my mxf files using a third party converter (bigasoft is the one I'm using) and get the footage in that way. It's an extra step and a headache that way but is my only choice. I've let canon know it is these kind of things that will make me look at another brand next time. This should be relatively simple for Canon to solve... If one company (bigasoft, etc...) can get the necessary info from Apple or wherever to figure out how to create software to convert the mxf file, a company the size of Canon should be able to pull it off, too.

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Answer 9

Nov 19, 2012 10:08 AM in response to fbcbootie

fbcbootie,

when you use bigasoft to convert, are you converting to "ProRes422" or are you able to use "native" format? I understand that when you are using Canon´s XF utility and plug-in with Mac OS versions prior to 10.8, you have a choice of importing your video either as "native" or "ProRes422". If you are using the "native" format, the files are supposedly about 200% smaller than the "ProRes422" format, and without changing the quality. This is significant when it comes to storage space. Using "native" is also a time saver because reformatting to "ProRes422" takes far more time.

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Answer 10

Dec 3, 2012 4:14 PM in response to fbcbootie

Guess what, Canon finally seems to have released XF300 software compatible with OS 10.8 (Mountain Lion). I received this e-mail yesterday (December 2, 2012) from Canon customer support:

"We appreciate your continued correspondence regarding the plugin for your XF300 under Mac OS 10.8.

Actually, it appears that the update was just published that does support your configuration. You can find it on our web site at this address:

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/professional_cameras/hd_vide o_cameras/xf300#DriversAndSoftware

I appreciate your patience in this matter.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your XF300. Thank you for choosing Canon."

Thought I´d let you know.

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Answer 11

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Dec 3, 2012 7:01 PM in response to tor-eddie

Good.

Russ

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Answer 12

Dec 19, 2012 3:25 AM in response to fbcbootie

You can try Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac to transcode to ProRes 422 codec, and then you can import without rendering.

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Answer 13

Mar 18, 2013 1:47 AM in response to fbcbootie

As Apple Inc.’s desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers, OS X Mountain Lion (version 10.8) is the ninth major release of OS X. It’s quick, familiar, cheap, and drenched in iOS goodness. However, after updated and installed Mountain Lion on Mac, many Final Cut Pro (mainly FCP X and FCP 7) users found they could not import mts, mxf, ect files into FCP anymore.

You can try to redownload and reinstall the FCPX. If not, you can contact after-sales service to get a free way to solve the problem.

You also can ignore the problem and download and insatll a MXF Converter to convert MXF to FCP's antive format ProRes before importing. I have been using Brorsoft MXF Converter for Mac, it work fast and it can keep the original video quality for editing. Besides, the conversion process will help you to save the rendering time. The most important is that it has five types of Apple prores codecs for choosing.

http://www.brorsoft.com/mxf-converter-mac/index.html

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Answer 14

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,968 points

Mar 18, 2013 1:54 AM in response to brown198754

Completely unnecessary. Don't waste your money on this.

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Answer 15

Mar 18, 2013 2:14 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks for your reply, can you tell me your the best and free way? PLEASE.

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