"I'm looking for a method to convert files from mp4 from the new camera SONY a7s to a Final cut pro native format, any recommendations on converting software? I was also hoping to join several clips into one intact file for editing in my Final Cut Pro 6. I'm running Yosemite. Thanks!"
The Sony alpha A7s is a small full-frame 12 Megapixel mirrorless stills camera, using the same body and design as the 24 Megapixel A7 and the 36 Megapixel A7r. The camera is also capable of shooting 4K video while delivering it to an external recorder in 8 bit 4:2:2. It takes Sony's FE mount lenses (if you want full frame) and other A7 series accessories.
Let's check its file formats:
Still Images: JPEG, RAW
Movies: MP4, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Audio: AAC LC, AC3, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM
How about Final Cut Pro?
Final Cut Pro is one the most popular non-liner video editing software on Mac, released by Apple. Its powerful video editing feature helps lots users to fulfill their wanted visual effect. However, Final Cut Pro is really picky on video codecs.
There's no doubt that MPEG-4/H.264 encoded MP4 files are not well recognized by Final Cut Pro. You may encounter problems like longtime log-and-transfer, jerky video playback, frames out of order...etc.
To solve this problem, the best solution is converting Sony a7s MP4 footage to Apple ProRes codec for Final Cut Pro with a reliable Sony A7S to FCP Converter- Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac.
How to convert Sony Alpha A7S MP4 to Apple ProRes codec for Final Cut Pro 6/7/X
Step 1. Connect Sony Alpha A7S to Mac
Note to keep your camera on during all the conversion. Or you can just use a USB cable, copy the camera footage to Mac HDD .
Step 2. Import Sony A7S H.264 MP4
Launch MP4 to Final Cut Pro Converter on Mac, hit "import" icon to choose load video files from camera directly or load folder from HDD.
Step 3. Choose ProRes as output format
There are 6 types of Apple ProRes formats in Apple ProRes family: Apple ProRes 4444 XQ, Apple ProRes 4444, Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 LT, and Apple ProRes 422 Proxy.
- Apple ProRes 4444 XQ is the highest-quality version of Apple ProRes, and it can preserve the detail in high dynamic imagery.
- Apple ProRes 4444 is an extremely high-quality version of Apple ProRes and features full resolution, and it is used for storing and exchanging motion graphics.
- Apple ProRes 422 HQ is a higher version than Apple ProRes 422, and Apple ProRes 422 LT is a more highly compressed codex than Apple ProRes 422 and it is perfect for conditions where storing capacity and data rate are quite needy.
As a more highly compressed codex than Apple ProRes 422 LT, Apple ProRes 422 Proxy is used for offline workflows that ask for low data rates but full resolution is still required.
Here Apple ProRes 422 is just fine and it is enough to produce better multi-stream and real-time editing performance. Click the format bar to follow "Final Cut Pro" and "Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)."
Tip: You can hit "Edit" icon on the top bar to trim/crop output video files.
Step 4. Convert Sony a7s H.264 MP4 to FCP
Hit the big red "Convert" icon to start conversion. Note the converted file size could be 2~3 times larger than original (if not trimmed) due to codec characteristics.
How to import converted ProRes MOV to Final Cut Pro
Run Final Cup Pro on your Mac, and import converted ProRes MOV videos to Final Cut Pro , and then you can edit them without any smoothly.
