Final Cut Pro Can't See/Import BPAV files? Resolved

Searching online we can find many people failed to import BPAV files to Final Cut Pro for various issues. In this article, we aim to offer you the easy workaround to help you bring BPAV to Final Cut Pro X, FCP 7 for editing flawlessly. First, let's look at some BPAV files to FCP typical issues:

Q1: FCPX can't see/import my BPAV files!

I got some recordings from a Sony XDCAM EX camcorder. They are still in the BPAV folder format on the disk and seem invisible to FCP X. I really need to get this sorted as soon as possible. Any help?

Q2: Can't import BPAV file into FCP 7

I'm trying to import Sony EX3 XDCAM footage BPAV file into FCP 7. I'm trying to import using the Log & Transfer function but I keep getting the following error msg: "BPAV" contains unsupported media or has an invalid directory structure.

Google turns up several results. We tried to follow these instructions and now share the testing results below.

Method 1(only for FCP 7 users): One possible way suggested online to solve the issue is put the BPAV folder in another folder, name it something. In FCP log and transfer, navigate to the newly created folder, NOT the BPAV folder, it might work.

Result: We tried the solution, but it didn't work.

Method 2: The second common way we fond out is to install Sony XDCAM Transfer application. Launch XDCAM Transfer and it should find your camera and show you the clips on the camera. Check your preferences to see where XDCAM Transfer is going to put your converted media files. XDCAM Transfer is just re-wrapping the files in a QT wrapper that FCP can understand.

Result: Tried it, but NOT working.

Method 3: The final workaround we got is to find a video converter tool like Brorsoft Video Converter for Mac to convert the MP4 within the BPAV file to ProRes, which is the best edit format for Final Cut Pro(no matter FCP 7or FCP X).

Result: Tired the way, it takes some time for conversion, but it works anyhow.

Overview: This program can work as a professional BPAV file converter for Mac. It allows you to convert BPAV .mp4 to Apple ProRes for FCP with several simple steps. Besides, it allows you to do some premiere editing work on Mac before transcoding like cropping, trimming, adding watermark, etc. Now download it and follow below steps to convert BPAV files to Final Cut Pro.

Guide: Transcode and Import BPAV files to Final Cut Pro

Step 1: Install the BPAV to Final Cut Pro converter program on Mac and run it. Drag the .mp4 clips within BPAV to the software. Or you can also click "Add" button on the top of the main interface to import video to the program.

Step 2: Go to "Format" bar and choose "Final Cut Pro > Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)" as output format for Final Cut Pro X or FCP 7.

Tips: Adjust video, audio settings

Click the "Settings" button and customize proper video/audio parameters including Video size, bitrate and fame rate and more.

Step 3: Click "Convert" to start transcoding BPAV files to ProRes for FCP. After conversion, you can play or edit BPAV clips in Final Cut Pro without losing any quality in a flawless way.