How to import Sony PMW-F55/F5 XAVC to Final Cut Pro?
1. How to Import XAVC to Final Cut Pro?
What is XAVC format
The XAVC format complies with H.264 level 5.2,
which video essence is encapsulated in an industry
standard MXF OP-1a wrapper, accompanied by
audio and meta-data elements. The primary
objective in adopting the XAVC format is to
develop a family of professional production tools
that can economically handle High-Frame-Rate
(HFR) HD and 4K imaging formats.
Camera that use XAVC format
Sony has announced two CineAlta cameras that
will support XAVC, which are Sony PMW-F55 and
Sony PMW-F5. Both cameras record XAVC with a
color depth of 10 bits and 4:2:2 chroma
subsampling. The Sony PMW-F55 record XAVC
with 4K resolution at 60fps at 300 Mbit/s and 2K
resolution at 120 fps at 400 Mbit/s. The Sony
PMW-F5 can record XAVC with 2K resolution at
400 Mbit/s.
2. Software that support XAVC format
Adobe Creative Suite 6, Avid, Final Cut Pro X, Grass
Valley’s EDIUS Pro 7, Quantel, Rovi MainConcept
SDK, Sony Vegas Pro 12
How to transfer XAVC video to computer
The XAVC video footage are recorded on a SxS PRO
+ media card, and the only universal connectivity
for these cards is the Sony SBAC-US10 and Sony
SBAC-US20, you can connect your card to either
Windows or Mac computer with these USB
external adapters, then copy the XAVC video
3. footage from the card to your local computer.
XAVC plug-in:
XAVC Plug-in for Apple (PDZK-LT2): This Camera
Import Plug-in provides support for XAVC files shot
on Sony SxS card, allowing viewing and editing
capability in Final Cut Pro X.
XAVC Plug-in for Avid (PDZK-MA2): This AMA plugin provides support for XAVC in Avid Media
Composer, Symphony and NewsCutter products,
allowing viewing and editing capability.
As a new camera recording format, the XAVC has
not got good popularity yet, there are many media
applications and portable devices do not support
it. Therefore, if you want to make full use of the
XAVC video, you can convert XAVC to MP4 which
can be played on Quicktime, iTunes and many MP4
portable devices or convert Sony XAVC to AVI for
free playing and editing with Windows Media
Player, Windows Movie Maker(Windows Live
Movie Maker).
4. For those users who want to do some professional
video working work with XAVC video footage, you
can transcode XAVC to Apple Prores Codec or Avid
DNxHD to import Sony XAVC to Final Cut Pro or
Avid Media Composer.