Conversion software for MXF files to import to FCPX

Forgive the newbie question, but I've read the manuals, searched the web and have not found a solution. I recently purchased a Sony PXW-X70. The MXF files it produces are not playing nice with FCPX to say the least. I'm looking for a workable solution to get my files into FCPX so I can get to work.

The only foreseeable solution (unless someone has a better idea) is that I need to do a file conversion. If so: What conversion software would you recommend for converting the MXF files this camera produces into a Prores file for FCPX? There's a lot of software out there, and much of it appears suspect.

Many thanks.

Hi Nathan, welcome to the forum.

To import XAVC video in FCP X you will need to install a free plugin from Sony:

support.apple.com/nl-be/HT202252

- Ronny

The X70, like the X7S, shoots XAVC-L, not XAVC-S, so despite looking like it would work, that plugin Ronny linked to won't work. There is currently no way to get these XAVC-L files into FCPX other than externally transcoding to ProRes. We're told this will be solved with either an upcoming plugin update or rolled into the next FCPX update.

The transcoding can be done by:

Sony Catalyst Browse (free) with the caveat that although Sony finally created an update that does batch transcoding instead of one file at a time, this batch transcoding seems to add a gamma shift that slightly flattens the image - lower contrast and lighter blacks.

EditReady - Divergent Media (ClipWrap folks) $49 (What I'm using)

Sony Catalyst Prepare - $200

There may be others, but these are the only ones I know about. The truly annoying part is that originally Avid could not import these either, but Sony has already created a plugin for that. And Premiere would already import the files native. Ironically, Sony Vegas will not import them either although that's being fixed in the next update within the next month.

If it records in XAVC-L, David is correct. In that case the only advice I can give at this moment is: don't spend any money on any transcoding software.

- Ronny

Thank you, gentlemen for the replies. Very helpful. Yes, I do have that Sony plug-in installed as well as the Pro Video Formats 2.0 update installed. As an audio guy learning video, learning some of these quirks and learning about new formats has been an adventure.

ddixon wrote: The X70, like the X7S, shoots XAVC-L, not XAVC-S, so despite looking like it would work, that plugin Ronny linked to won't work. There is currently no way to get these XAVC-L files into FCPX other than externally transcoding to ProRes. We're told this will be solved with either an upcoming plugin update or rolled into the next FCPX update.

The transcoding can be done by:

Sony Catalyst Browse (free) with the caveat that although Sony finally created an update that does batch transcoding instead of one file at a time, this batch transcoding seems to add a gamma shift that slightly flattens the image - lower contrast and lighter blacks.

Perfect! I had downloaded Sony Content Browser 2 being told it would import to FCPX, but Sony CB2 doesn't seem to care for the XAVC-L files either beyond simple display of the clips. Good to know what the proper software is!