Currently, there’re two basicMXFtypes: one is those where the essence (media) is stored in the same file as the metadata that refers to it. The other is that where the essence is stored in separate files to the metadata, while these files have External essence.
Take the below two cams for examples:
Let’s seeCanon XF100. In the folder of AA0230, the essence is the AA023001.MXF, while the other files like AA0230.CIF, AA0230.CPF, AA0230.THM, AA0230.XML, AA023001.SIF is unimportant. AA023001.MXF can be separated for archiving.
Here comesP2. From the below pictures, you can see video and audio files are separated in different folders. And also, it’s no difficult to find one video will have four audio tracks. For archiving, you need to keep the whole structure of video and audio.
As we all know thatP2 MXFis a self-container format which is unacceptable to many editing software, likeFCP,Sony Vegas,Avid DNxHD, etc. There’re so many video converters that’s able to handle video converting. Yep, these video converters can do conversions fromMXF to FCP, transcodeP2 MXF to Quicktime. But they’re not professional MXF converters, you may judge from the conversion speed, output quality. Video/Audio unsync issue is the most trouble to video converter users.
If you’re a P2 user, then, I bet you can’t agree with me more. Once, a friend of mine who hasPanasonic AG-HPX370often contacted me with complains about her issue of dealing with conversion ofPanasonic AG-HPX370captured P2 MXF videos. All of her converted files will have no sound.
How to find a suitable converter for your P2 MXF files? A program especially designed for P2 MXF conversion is the best choice. Here I recommendUFUSoftP2 MXF Converter for Mac. With this P2 MXF converter, we can make it possible to editP2 MXF in FCPwithout rendering.
This guide focuses onconverting P2 MXF to FCPfriendly format, mainly telling you how totranscode P2 MXF to ProRes 422.ProRes, as FCP’s native format, is the best choice for FCP editing.
How toconvert P2 MXF to ProRes for FCP?
Notes: keep the whole structure of Audio and Video folders.
1.Add P2 MXF files from the folder of Video.
2.Choose ProRes 422 (*.mov) as output format from Final Cut Pro category.
3.Specify the output path
4.Startingconversion from MXF to ProRes.
After super fast conversion is done，load ProRes to FCP for versatile editing, doingtransition, addingkey frame, etc.