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Sony camcorder SD card 2GB problem and Import to FCP 7/X


    Memories are unique: that’s why capturing them is so important. Nowadays, there are more and more people would like to choose a stunning camcorder, with innovative features that make shooting easier, to professional-quality lenses and advanced image processors for optimum picture performance, making the difference between a good memory and a great one. After recording, in most cases, you may need to import the recoded videos to editing software for advanced editing before sharing with your families and friends. While, SD card storage and importing problems always brings the users a painful experience. In this article we will share our test on Sony camcorder SD card storage details, and offer the best way for importing Sony HD footages to Final Cut Pro 7/X for smooth editing.


    First of all, take Sony HDR CX760V for example


    In this test, we use Sony HDR CX760V camcorder, in HD recording model, we recorded as long as 1hr22min, it just produces 1 file in the camcorder, after we connected the camcorder to Mac via USB wire, the SD card produces 2 MTS files, one is 2GB (53min), another is 1GB (30min), so Sony camcorder’s SD card could support up to 2GB in a single file.


    sony-avchd-2gb.gif


    Import SD card’s video to Final Cut Pro X


    We import the video to FCP X directly from camcorder, the FCP X shows a file which last 1hr22min, there’s no problem in importing process, but after importing, the computer becomes slow.


    Import SD card’s video to Final Cut Pro 7


    We import the video file to FCP 7 via Log & Transfer method, there’s no problem.


    Details in importing Sony video to Final Cut Pro X


    In the importing process, FCP X will create a new substituted file which points to original media file, or create a copy of the original media file. After importing, FCP X will transcode, optimize and analyze the file in backstage.


    sony-avchd-2gb-event.gif


    1. If you choose import first and then transcode (not choose transcoding/video/audio), that’s the rewrap process, the 3GB file will last 5 minutes. FCP X will rewrap the original Sony AVCHD video to AVC codec MOV file, and the original video’s AC3 audio will change to PCM. After importing, the preview will not so smoothly and the computer becomes a little slow.


    2. If you choose to transcode video to ProRes codec at the same time you importing, the FCP X will still rewrap, and then it will convert Sony AVCHD to ProRes codec in the backstage. 3GB file will become to 70GB with ProRes codec, and it is very slow, it only gets 10% converted when 20min passed.


    sony-avchd-2gb-background.gif


    Why we need to transcode file to ProRes before editing? It is because ProRes codec is best for FCP editing, you can edit smoothly and encounter no problems with this codec. For details please visit this article.


    Here we recommend you to try Brorsoft Video Converter for Mac, it will help you transcode Sony HD files like MTS/M2TS/MOV to Apple ProRes codec MOV format without quality loss. Plus, this software runs fast, and you can customize the output video’s parameters, like resolution, bitrate, frame rate, audio codec, etc as you need. It will uses less time and create lower volume file compared to FCP, video and audio quality and synchronization are perfectly guaranteed. A correct way to import AVCHD to FCP for you.


    Details in importing Sony video to Final Cut Pro 7


    When importing Sony AVCHD files to FCP 7 via Log & Transfer method, it will transcode the video to ProRes or Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC), the reason is stated on Apple official website:


    “Final Cut Pro does not have native editing support for AVCHD footage. You can use the Log and Transfer window to transcode AVCHD footage to an Apple ProRes codec or the Apple Intermediate Codec during transfer.”


    We import 3GB AVCHD file to FCP 7, the importing process goes to 25% when 15min passed, and at the same time it has produced a 20GB MOV file.


    Conclusion and solution


    As you can see above, Sony recorded video usually under 2GB, and FCP will load it by transcoding it to PRORES codec. In the whole process, the transcoding will take much time. So in this case, you can try our AVCHD to ProRes converter to save your time and the rich output codecs are optimized for Final Cut Pro 7/X.


    Related guides:


    How to import Sony XAVC to Final Cut Pro
    Sony Alpha NEX Cameras MTS in FCP 7/X
    Import Sony NEX-FS700 AVCHD to Final Cut Pro 7
    Sony Handycam 1080p video to Final Cut Pro