Edit Panasonic P2 MXF files natively in FCP

Many camcorder producers have released their high-end products to attract video editors with high tech in their camcorders. You'd know that professional camcorders series usually use MXF container format to record videos instead of AVCHD format, which is often used in family expenses camcorders. 

MXF is a special HD video format which has been put to use in many high-end camcorders such as Canon XF series and Panasonic P2 HD series (including AG-HPX170, AG-HVX200, AG-HPX300, AG-HPX370, AG-HPX500, AJ-HPX2100, AJ-HPX2700, AJ-HPX3000, and AJ-HPX3700, etc.). Files are saved onto the P2 memory card in MXF format allowing direct data transfer to broadcasting and production system. 

 

However, those files in MXF format have proved to be not so well-suited when they are about to be edited in Final Cut Pro, see the below question: 

"The footage came from a Panasonic DVCPRO HD P2 camera. I have converted many files from this same camera with no problem but for some reason now it has no audio. I cannot find that screen you have referenced below. Is there a way someone can help walk me through this?" 

To edit Panasonic P2 footage with FCP, you have to convert P2 MXF to FCP natively supported video format like MOV with Apple ProRes Codec. Here we recommend you the best P2 MXF to FCP Converter for Mac which can help you to transcode Panasonic P2 MXF to Apple ProRes .mov format for FCP on Mac OS X quickly and easily. Here comes the detailed guide. 

Notes: 

1. Please ensure that the computer you are using to do P2 MXF conversion has Final Cut Pro installed, otherwise, the converted files will have audio only without image. 

2. If you are using FCP X, please make sure you have installed ProApps QuickTime Codecs, or you may get files with sound only without video. The FCP X does not install the ProApps QuickTime Codecs automatically, so you need download and install the codec manually from http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1396. 

3. While importing MXF clips to Pavtube Mac MXF Converter for conversion, please make sure you have the entire MXF file structure as it saved on your camcorder's P2 card. If you only have some loose .MXF clips, your files will have image only without audio. See MXF file structure on Panasonic's P2 card as below. 

 

The above screenshot clearly shows .MXF clips are all saved in "VIDEO" folder, while audio files are all stored in "AUDIO" folder. When you importing .MXF clips from the correct file structure, Pavtube MXF to FCP Converter is able to recognize audio tracks from 'AUDIO' folder automatically, which ensures the generated ProRes 422 MOV files have both image and sound correctly. 

Step 1. Click "Add Video" button to import P2 .mxf files 

 

Step 2. Choose "Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)" as output (Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac has a preset option to choose a format specific to the Final Cut Pro) 

See also: Types of Apple ProRes Codecs | Apple ProRes Info & Tips | Working with Apple ProRes Codecs 

 

Step 3. Click "Convert" button to convert P2 MXF to FCP Apple ProRes on Mac, including the latest Mac OS X E1 Capitan, Yosemite 10.10, 10.9 Mavericks, etc.

As soon as the P2 MXF to FCP conversion is finished, click "Open" button to get the generated Apple ProRes 422 MOV files to FCP (X)for extending editing. 

Further Reading: 
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XAVC .mxf to Avid Media Composer Solutions on Windows/Mac