Import H.265 files into Final Cut Pro

H.265 will surely become the mainstream video codec soon. If you got some H.265 files and want to edit your H.265 videos on Mac OS, FCP could be your good choice. But can FCP support H.265 codec? The answer is NO. Currently, H.265 codec lacks of compatibility with the Apple ecosystem including FCP program.

To be able to ingest H.265/HEVC video to FCP for further editing, you will need to transcode H.265/HEVC video to a Mac friendly format first, such as Apple Prores encoded MOV format, which FCP will recognize and handle well. The article is the very one working on the H.265 to FCP Mac conversion.

To transcode H.265 to FCP format easily and quickly, Dimo Video Converter Ultimate for Mac, a professional yet easy-to-use Mac H.265 encoder, is highly recommended. This program features high efficiency and seamless conversion. By running it, there is no need to set the codec yourself, the program has an optimized preset for FCP (Apple Prores will be included) which is also included in windows version. With it, you can convert H.265 files to Apple Prores Codec encode MOV files, ensuring maximum editing quality and efficiency when working with FCP.

Besides, the H.265 encoder also can convert H.265(HEVC) files to more editing tools with professional codec, like AIC for iMovie, MPEG-2 for Adobe Premiere Pro, DNxHD for Avid Media Composer, etc. What's more, the built-in video editor allows you to modify your videos by trimming, flipping, adjusting video effects and more. Below is the step-by-step tutorial on how to make H.265 codec compatible with FCP.

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How to convert and import H.265 video to FCP(X)

Step 1. Import H.265 files

Install the H.265 to FCP converter. For mac users, drag the program icon to the "Applications" tab after installation and save the converter on your Mac hard drive. Launch it and then you can directly drag and drop the H.265 file to the converter, or go to "Add file" button to load the H.265 video.

Step 2. Choose FCP as the output format

Click "Select Format" bar to choose the format for output. For editing H.265 in FCP, you can choose "Format > Editor > Final Cut Pro 7 or Final Cut Pro X; it's best for FCP editing.

Step 3. Start H.265 to FCP conversion on Mac

Now click the "Start" button, and then leave the Mac H.265 encoder to do the rest automatically for you. After the H.265 to FCP Mac conversion, go to "File" > "import" > and then you can freely use your H.265 files in FCP(X).

Tip 1 Before conversion:

If you are using FCP X, please make sure you have installed ProApps QuickTime Codecs.

Tip 2 Before conversion:

Click the Settings icon to adjust video and audio parameters on the Profile Setting as you need to get the best quality video. You can set video resolution(1920X1080/1440X1080/1280x720/720X480), bitrate(from 1Mbps to 20Mbps) , frame rate (24p/30p) as you want.

Tip 3 Before conversion:

Tip 1 After conversion:

If you wanna view edited videos from FCP on iOS devices, you can import the video and in the output format window, you should choose Device > Apple > iPhone or iPad; and then the H.265 movies are converted to iPhone iPad formats. After that, you can eventually share and play H.265 videos on iOS devices.

Tip 2 After conversion:

To make ISO from FCP project, check here to get the detailed ISO creating guide.

Have more questions about how to import H.265 files into Final Cut Pro, please feel free to contact us>>