How to import Canon C300 MXF footage into FCP X (Final Cut Pro X)

To import Canon C300 footage into Final Cut Pro X, th easy workaround is to use third party software to convert C300 MXF to ProRes codec. Here is how-to.



Featuring a unique Super 35mm Canon CMOS sensor, revolutionary Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor and 50 Mbps 4:2:2 codec, the EOS C300 provides outstanding cinema quality movie capture. Compact, modular and compatible with Canon's existing line-up of EF and new EF Cinema lenses as well as accessories from third parties, the stunningly simple to operate EOS C300 is designed to please cinematographers for any production large and small, on location or in the studio, from shoestring to Hollywood budgets. The piont here, many users are facing issues and find it a painful experience to import C300 footage into Final Cut Pro (which includes the FCP X, FCP 7, FCP6 or ther former). Below, I am looking at how to bring Canon C300 footage into Final Cut Pro.


While searching for solutions, you can easily find AbelCine's Solution: Use Canon XF Utility download clips off your original media from a CF card (The C300 records to Compact Flash cards) and backing up the clips in a unique folder based on the date and time of the transfer. Everything ready? No! Next step you'll need to install Canon XF plugin and finally launch Final Cut Pro to begin the import process.

I have to tell you the importing way is a tedious process, which needs you patience. Fortunately, there is an alternative easy way to fix the issue. Since FCP is designed to work best in ProRes, the easy wokraround is to use 3rd-party software to convert Canon C300 MXF to ProRes codec for Final Cut Pro.

To get the work done, the best program I can recommend is Brorsoft MXF Converter for Mac, which can convert C300 MXF files to ProRes 422 ensuring maximum editing quality and efficiency when working with Final Cut Pro. I like the batch processing and joining of multiple mxf videos into one file. The editing feature to trim the recorded videos is great, as I can control the content for conversion. If you're editing Canon XF Camera or Panasonic P2 or Sony XDCAM MXF clips with Final Cut Pro, chances are you already installed this great free utility. If not, download it it from here.

If you think the first step is a tiring work or your computer doesn’t support pulgins well, I believe the second way can easily solve the incompatible troubles for importing and editing C300 MXF footage within FCP X/7/6. Below is the fast guide to convert and import C300 MXF footage into Final Cut Pro with ProRes codec.

Step 1 -> Download, install and launch Brorsoft MXF Converter for Mac, and import MXF files into the program

Note: Before conversion, you need to transfer MXF files from your Canon C300 to Mac Hard Drive, then click the "add files" button to browse to import MXF videos.



Step 2 -> Click the format bar, and move mouse cursor to "Final Cut Pro > Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)" as output format.



Step 3 -> (Optional) You can click "Properties" to adjust the audio stream ID if you find the C300 MXF no sound. Besides, you can click "Settings" button to adjust the resolution, bitrate, etc. Just customize the parameters to meet your need.



Tip: You can customize the video/audio settings for Final Cut Pro: 1920*1080 vide size; 30fps frame rate(for original 60fps videos) or 25fps frame rate(for original 50fps videos).



Finally, click "Convert" button and your MXF files will be converted into ProRes .MOV files ready to be imported into FCP.

You're done. Now importing and editing Canon C300 footage in Final Cut Pro X or FCP 7/6 is flawless.

More Tricks forEditing MXF files on Mac:
How to convert MXF to AIC MOV for iMovie
How to transcode MXF to MPEG-2 for Premiere
Transcode MXF to DNxHD for Editing in Avid MC