Converting Video Files to APPLE PRO RES 422

If you’re shooting on your own digital camera, especially if it’s a Canon DSLR, chances are you’re recording video in a format called H.264. While the H.264 format, and other “delivery formats” like MP4, are great for keeping file size down to a minimum, they’re terrible to edit in using Final Cut Pro 7, and can cause all kinds of erratic behavior—most commonly rendering and exporting problems. You should ALWAYS convert to a different format BEFORE you begin editing. We suggest APPLE PRO RES 422. Here’s how:

1. In the Finder, go to Applications, and open up Compressor.

A box will pop up asking you to “Choose a template for your batch”, just hit CANCEL.

2. With Compressor open, go back into Finder and highlight the H.264 files you

want to convert. Drag and drop them into the main window where it says “Drag Settings and Destinations Here” (or it might say “Drag a File to Create a Job”). Compressor allows you to convert multiple clips at a time, but it can be a little finicky if you try to do too many. Best to keep it down to 10 or 15 at a time if possible.

3. Now we need to tell Compressor what settings to convert to. If the Settings

window did not open when you started Compressor, go to the top of your screen and choose Window > Settings.

In the Settings window choose Apple > Formats > Quicktime. Grab the Apple ProRes 422 setting and drag it onto your clips. If all your clips are highlighted, the setting will apply to all. Note: Apple ProRes 422 HQ, LT, Proxy, and Alpha offer slight differences, but we’ll stick with Apple ProRes 422.

4. Click Submit. Another window will pop up, asking you to name it. Don’t worry about that, just hit Submit again.

One by one, your converted clips will kick out onto the Desktop. It will take a few minutes per clip, so hang tight. If you want to monitor the progress choose Window > History.

5. Once your clips are done converting, make sure you move them to a safe place—

either the  Save  Here  disk,  or  whatever  hard  drive  you’re  working  off  of.    

These  are  the  clips  you  will  now  work  with  in  Final  Cut  Pro.      That’s  it!