Convert Sony XDCAM EX MP4 footage to After Effects CS4, CS5, CS6 for editing

As a Sony XDCAM EX camcorder user, are you annoying the import problem with After Effects CS4? The article will tell you how to make Sony XDCAM EX MP4 footage working well in After Effects CS4.
  
Adobe After Effects CS4, the popular postproduction tool for video professionals, is good at digital motion graphics, visual effects and compositing. And it is often used in the post-production process of filmmaking and television production, and used as a basic non-linear editor and a media transcoder. The options in After Effects expand to work with the latest video formats, including P2, XDCAM EX, and XDCAM HD, as well as Web applications.

However, when you import some Sony XDCAM EX MP4 footage with full HD resolution as either 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720, you may still meet some import problem. 

“Question 1: I'm having a nightmare trying to use MP4 file from my EX3 in After Effects CS4. When I import the raw footage, it shows up clearly, and even plays properly in RAM previews, but when I export, it freezes for a bit, then skips several frames, then repeats the process till the end of the video.” - Esther 

“Question 2: I recently got some Sony XDCAM MP4 videos from a customer and wanted to edit them in AE CS4 but i cannot open it. it just keeps saying it's of an unsopported format. How do I fix this?” - Lewis

CS4 is a rather old version of After Effects and, as such, doesn't support many of the things it supports now.

You have two options:

1) Get the new version of AE (you can download a 30 day trial from Adobe);

2) Use Adobe Media Encoder, Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate, MPEG Streamclip, or any other video converters to reencode your Sony XDCAM MP4 footage into a format that After Effects CS4 can use. 

Personally, I have used Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate one year, and it’s a very affordable, fast, easy to use one software. It can help me convert Sony XDCAM EX mp4 files to AE CS4 compatible format, make XDCAM EX MP4 footage working well in After Effects CS4.

It is capable of converting a variety of video formats to another format. And meanwhile it supports to convert the latest Blu-ray/DVD disc, ISO/IFO image files, MKV, AVI, VOB, Tivo, WMV, M4V, MPG, 3GP, MTS, MXF, TS, FLV/F4V, etc. videos to proper formats for playing on all mobile devices (like Android, iOS and Windows 8 tablets or samrtphones, etc.) or hd media players; and convert to windows editing software (like After Effects C4/C5/C6, Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere, Avid Media Media Composer, Avid Xpress Pro, Windows Movie Maker, CyberLink, etc.). CUDA acceleration will give you faster conversion speed. Go to free download and install it now. (Mac users should go to iMedia Converter for Mac.)

Surprising news! To welcome summer holiday, we have hold Pavtube Summer Sale. Get it now you will have 20% discount for Video Converter Ultimate and iMedia Converter for Mac; 30% off Blu-ray Ripper and Blu-ray Ripper for Mac; Free DVD Ripper and Video DVD Converter Ultimate; 50% off DVD Creator and Media Magician, etc. Try it now!

How to convert Sony XDCAM EX3 MP4 file to After Effects CS4?

1. Load MP4 footage from Sony XDCAM EX camcorders.

Three ways for loading: click “Add video” to load source from Sony XDCAM EX, click “Add from folder” to import the entire folder, or directly drag and drop mp4 files to the app.

  
Tips: If you want to join several mp4 videos into one, “Merge into one file” will help to convert multiple videos into one output video.

2. Select the proper format for After Effects CS4.

Click “Format” menu to choose output format. Go to “Adobe Premiere/Sony Vegas” to select “MPEG-2 (*.mpg)” as output format. Alternative formats are WMV, AVI, MOV, etc.

 

Note that the converted file will usually be large in size, cause its native codec and give the best image and performance. If you want to compress the file a little, you can also click the “Settings” icon to design the parameters like bit rate, frame rate, resolution, etc. Manually. (But for the best output video quality you’d better keep the original settings of source files.)

 

3. Start MP4 to MPG conversion

Finally, click the “Convert” button; it will start converting Sony XDCAM EX MP4 files to MPEG-2 for Adobe After Effects CS4/CS5/CS6 immediately. 

When all conversions finished, click “Open” to locate the generated files, you may go ahead to create your own masterpiece with Adobe After Effects and then upload it to YouTube for sharing with the worldwide!
  
Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate other features:

1. It can rip and convert latest DVD and Blu-ray disc. And it is a great tool to backup discs: “Copy the entire disc” will 1:1 backup the whole movie with original structure, and “Directly Copy” can copy the main movie of the disc without menu and titbits.

2. You are allowed to edit the video, such as trim, crop, add watermark of text, image and video, attach subtitle, etc.

This integrated software will give you more than you have to do. Try now with 20% discount coupon.

Refer to convert Sony XDCAM file to other editing software as below:

• Transfer Sony XDCAM EX MP4 footage to Aperture 3 on Mac Mountain Lion 10.8
• Convert Sony XDCAM Multi-track MXF to ProRes MOV for FCP (X)
• Adobe After Effects CS6: Sony XDCAM EX Readability Glitch

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Lossless Blu-ray to M2TS Backup vs Blu-ray to MKV Backup: Which one is the best backup method?

The article mainly introduce two different ways to backup Blu-ray without any quality loss: Blu-ray to M2TS backup and Blu-ray to MKV backup, which one is the best lossless backup method? Display their features for your reference. Go to find the one you like.

Backup Blu-ray collection has become a prevailing method to keep Blu-ray from being scratched and make it easier to manage and access. There are various ways to backup them, such as backup intact Blu-ray main movie into M2TS,Blu-ray to lossless MKV backup, backup the entire disc and so on. You may be confused about what is the differences among them and wonder which on is better. Here I will introduce two main methods to backup Blu-ray: Blu-ray to M2TS backup and Blu-ray to MKV backup.

Now, we need to find a best Blu-ray backup program for help. Many programs can do intact M2TS backup or lossless MKV backup, but it is a little hard to find an all-in-one too with both of them. Recently Pavtube studio released newPavtube ByteCopy, which can meet almost all your needs for backup. It can backup the 100% intact Blu-ray main movie into a M2TS file and meanwhile it support to output lossless multi-track MKV with chapter mark from original Blu-ray.

Free download a trial version and install it on your PC or Mac:

• Pavtube ByteCopy
• Pavtube ByteCopy for Mac

When you have inserted Blu-ray disc into Blu-ray drive, run the application and then import the Blu-ray source into it. Now let’s go to find the two different methods to backup Blu-ray.

Method 1: Directly Copy Blu-ray to M2TS with original quality

Go to “Format” menu you will find “Copy” option; choose the only “Directly Copy” there for output. Then hit “Convert” button on the main interface to start Blu-ray main movie to M2TS backing up.

Once completed, you will get a M2TS backup keeping the same quality with original Blu-ray.

Method 2: Lossless Multi-track MKV backup

In the same dropdown list of “Format” you can find “Multi-track Video” option, choose “Lossless/encoded Multi-track MKV (*mkv)” for output. Then go to start conversion by clicking big red “Convert” button.

In this way, you will get a MKV backup without quality loss.

However, which one is better for backup backup, Directly Copy for M2TS backup or Lossless Multi-track MKV backup? I will show you some similarities and differences for your reference.

Similarities:

Multiple tracks preservation: Both of them are capable of retaining all the multiple audio and subtitle tracks from original Blu-ray in output files. So you can select any desired tracks in backup file when you playing or editing them.

High quality: They all keep the high quality picture of original Blu-ray, which will bring you the same visual enjoyment as Blu-ray. 

High efficiency for conversion: The high speed for conversion is their common features, which will help to save more time than converting to other recoded videos. With Directly Copy, to backup a Blu-ray main movie only takes 30 minutes. It is an incredible speed for backup high quality Blu-ray

Differences:

Directly Copy creates 100% intact Blu-ray main movie except for menu and the M2TS backup contains all the multiple audio and subtitle tracks, which is exactly the same as original Blu-ray. What you get is a complete decrypted Blu-ray main movie without any recoding. 

Lossless Multi-track MKV is able to select any of multiple audio and subtitle tracks for output according to your different requirements. Moreover, it will remain the chapter mark from original Blu-ray, so you can choose the chapter as you like when playing it in media player. The limitation is that MKV file is created by resealing M2TS file, so the quality won’t be the same as original M2TS files.

Above all, I personally think Directly Copy is the best way for Blu-ray backup and it is the 100% intact backup. Everybody has different needs. If you need chapter mark or want to remove undesired tracks from original Blu-ray, Lossless Multi-track MKV is also a good choice. Just go to choose what you like.

Tips: Not all media player can support M2TS and MKV with multiple streams. You are recommended to try powerful Free VLC Player if you haven’t found a suitable one. And the chapter mark selection can be supported as well.

• How to play ripped Blu-ray movies in VLC Media Player by chapters

More highlights in ByteCopy:

• Full Disc Copy will help to 1:1 backup the whole Blu-ray with original structure;
• Rip latest Blu-ray/DVD including 3D/2D Blu-ray;
• Backup Blu-ray/DVD main movie with original quality;
• Support rip Blu-ray/DVD to multitracks MKV, MOV, MP4 and Apple ProRes(only for Mac);
• Convert Blu-ray/DVD movies for Android, iOS, Windows 8 devices;
• Blu-ray/DVD movie before conversion, like trim, crop, add watermark, add subtitles, etc.

Surprise! Welcome to Money Saving Software Bundles to find big special sale on much software bundled with ByteCopy, like ByteCopy + Video Converter Ultimate, ByteCopy + DVD Creator, ByteCopy + VidPie, ByteCopy +MXF MultiMixer etc. And it will help to save up to $35.1. Now go to find the preferable one and get special price.

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Convert QuickTime .mov to iMovie on Mac OS X Mavericks/Mountain Lion

This guide introduces the best workflow to import QuickTime mov to iMovie on Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks or Mountain Lion for smoothly editing.

Q: “I have some standard MOV files and enjoys playing back them smoothly in QuickTime Player. But when I import them to iMovie and want to edit, now the videos seem to randomly switch frame rates during playback. Did you do anything wrong?”

A: iMovie is really picky on video formats as well as video codecs. For example, normal mov files are not supported natively so that you cannot playback smoothly your quicktime mov in iMovie. The best compatible codec for iMovie is Apple InterMediate Codec(AIC); in this case, you are suggested to use Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mavericks to convert QuickTime MOV to AIC MOV for editing in iMovie.

How to transcode Quicktime MOV files for editing in iMovie?

The above introduced Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac program, which is not only able to convert various HD videos (including Quicktime mov, MKV, MTS, MXF, AVI, VOB, MPG, 3GP, Flash videos etc.) to AIC, but also convert them to Apple ProRes for FCP, DNxHD mov for Avid Media Composer/Xpress Pro, convert to MPG/AVI/MOV for Premiere Pro, convert to various video formats for editing, playback, sharing, storing and burning, etc.

First download a free trial version and install it on your Mac(including 10.9 Mavericks and Mountain Lion 10.8).

Let’s start to quick convert QuickTime MOV to iMovie compatible codec on Mac.

1. Load .mov files.

Run Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac, then click the top left two icons to load individual mov videos, or import the entire folder.

2. Choose the proper format for iMovie.

Click the drop-down list besides “Format” and choose “iMovie and Final Cut Express > Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)” as the best format for editing in iMovie. Click “Browse” to choose output path.

  

Tips: Click the Pencil-like icon on the top to trim, crop, edit audio, add 3D effect and subtitles.

3. Custom video/audio settings for iMovie.

Click the “Settings” and customize output video size, bitrate (decide video quality and size), frame rate and other specs. You’d better set the video frame rate as 30fps, video size as 1920*1080 to keep the best quality for editing in iMovie. 

4. Start Quicktime mov to AIC mov conversion.

Click the “Convert” button to start converting Quicktime mov to AIC mov for iMovie. Wait for moments and you will get the best video. Click the “Open” button to locate the converted video and then import them to iMovie for editing on Mac Mountain Lion and Mavericks.

5. Import video files to iMovie.

Launch iMovie, choose “File” > “Import” > “Movies…” and choose the path above:

• Steps: How to import video files to iMovie on Mac?

 


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Convert Canon XA20 MP4/MTS files to Final Cut Pro X with best quality on Mac

Canon XA20 is one of the high-end camera which is newly released on mid-June, 2013. This professional camera shoots Full HD 1080 60p/60i/30p/24p footages in AVCHD MTS format and 1080 60p/30/24p as well as 720/360 30p/24p in MPEG MP4 format.

Shutterbugs and professional editors must be very excited to watch these HD footages and see it edited to be the most perfect ones on your own hands.

So here comes the problem you may concern: how do Mac users edit Canon XA20 MP4/MTS files in Final Cut Pro X?

“Can't import short clip recorded on the XA20 into Final Cut Pro X on my mac book pro. Reads mpeg file as imcompatible file. Followed all directions, using their CD loaded software. Any help appreciated. 

Problem source: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5172201?start=0&tstart=0”

  
Theoretically, FCP X supports both of these two format footages as it's said in Apple store. In fact, Final Cut Pro does not prefer to work with .mts and .mp4 for that it appreciates MOV files especially encoded in Apple ProRes. So, if you find it doesn't work and you don't want to bother so much about the further setting of FCP X, you can take my advice into consideration. That is, you can use some third-party software to convert your Canon XA20 MTS/MP4 footages to Apple ProRes 422 MOV, the best supported format for FCP x. If you want to try, use Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac. It has excellent quality of videos as it applies advanced audio and video sync technology, which is a native format for FCP X

People usually use the best Mac HD Video Converter to convert the incompatible format files for editing in their mac editing softwares or transferring to their tablet/phone/tv etc. devices for playback, maybe in your situation, you can have a try as well. If you don't know how to use, here we have an easy way to get it working within a few clicks; follow this guide to see how to convert Canon XA20 MP4/MTS files for editing in Final Cut Pro X with best quality on Mac(Mavericks, Mountain Lion included).

First, You can try the free trial version to test the functions.

Step 1. Load Canon XA20 files.

Connect Canon XA20 camcorder to your Mac via USB, or insert your SD card to Mac, browser the .mts files from AVCHD > BDMV > STREAM. Load your 1080/60p .mts or .mp4 files from XA20 or local computer which you have copied from camcorder before into Pavtube HD Converter for Mac. P.S. There are two ways for you to import files: add video directly and add the entire folder.

Step 2. Click “Format” and choose "Final Cut Pro", you will see several "Apple ProRes presets". The ProRes 422 outputs low quality videos comparing with others, but the converted videos are smaller in size. Usually the ProRes 422 HQ is recommended for its good video quality and perfect video/audio sync settings.

Step 3. Click “Settings” to customize output video size, bitrate, frame rate and other settings at your needs.

Tips: You are allowed to adjust output video and video parameters. However, if you have no idea about profile setting, keep it as original recordings will provide you the files with less quality loss, and keep default settings is also a good choice for your to get a high quality files. 

Step 4. Now just click the big red “Convert” to start converting Canon XA20 MP4/MTS clips to FCP X preferred format. Click “Open” to locate the converted video directly for Final Cut Pro X.

In this way, you will have no difficulty in importing and editing Canon XA20 MTS/MP4 footage into FCP X with excellent audio and video quality. You can enjoy sharing edited video with friends and taking any individual frames you want. 

Wish you can solve your problem soon and good luck~

More Tips:

Tip 1: This Mac Canon MTS/MP4 to FCP X Converter also includes the editing function to let you trim, crop, edit audio, add 3D effect, add watermark and subtitles before conversion.

Tips: In order to get customized videos, you can attach subtitles to your videos.

The free Subtitle Edit will help you to edit your own subtitles then put it into videos.
  

• Subtitle FAQs: How to free permanently attach subtitles to videos/movies?

Tip 2: If you want to burn Canon XA20 MTS/MP4 videos to DVD on Mac, Pavtube DVD Creator for Mac is recommended. 

Tip 3: If you are using other Mac editing softwares, like iMovie, FCE, Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects CS6, Apple Aperture 3, Kdenlive, DaVinci Resolve, iPhoto and more, please view the follow guides:

• Convert Canon XA20 50/60p MTS and MP4 clips to iMovie/FCE 
• Import Canon XA20 1080/60p AVCHD to Avid Media Composer
• Get Canon XA20 1080/50p mts video files to play with QuickTime
• Share Canon XA20 videos on Youtube with subtitles

Canon XA20 Test - 60p

 

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Quick Blu-ray Backup: Only 30 minutes Backup 27GB Blu-ray main movie to M2TS without conversion

As Blu-ray is more and more prevailing, many Blu-ray collectors may encounter the below trouble:

“I needed a Blu-ray Ripper to rip my good collection of Blu-ray for storage - I prefer digital versions that last longer and are more portable, than physical disks.”  -  Curme

“I’ve set up a NAS at home and wanted to have all my DVDs/Blue Rays readily accessible rather than going through loads of CDs. I’ve also placed them on a portable 2.5” drive so I can take them with me on holidays.”  -  Austin

Because every time you play Blu-ray in Blu-ray drive, the disc will suffer little quality loss. And it is a huge task to keep it safe and seek the disc when you need. So a digital backup will help to save the storage space of blu-ray collection, and make it easier to access and carry with. For instance, you could keep the blu-ray backup in different according to different years, so you can find the desired movie easily without going through your storeroom.

When searching in google, a variety of programs are listed. You may find DVDFab for assistance. When you choose to output m2ts files, you may need to wait one hour and a half for conversion in a general way. Even choosing output profile with AudioCopy instead of AC3 will take almost one hour to convert. And quality loss is inevitable. So you will face long time for conversion and quality loss from original blu-ray when backup with DVDFab. It is so frustrated when it goes to your collection with thousands of blu-ray.

Now, a fast way to backup 100% intact blu-ray main movie is perfect for you. With it, you can backup 27GB blu-ray main movie only in 30 minutes. It will help to copy the intact main movie with all multiple audio and subtitle tracks from original blu-ray and save an m2ts file without any quality loss. Let me show you how to do it and you will find the workflow is so easy.

Go to get Pavtube BDMagic and install it. 

Tips:
1. If you are a Mac user, please turn to Pavtube BDMagic for Mac. (here is a guide)

2. Due to Pavtube Summer Holiday Sale, you can get 30% off for it now, save $15. This discount will expire on Aug.31, 2013, so hurry up to get if you like. Do not miss it!

I will take Windows version as an example and it also applies to Mac version.

Amazing speed for backup blu-ray main movie on Win/Mac

1. Load Blu-ray disc.

When you have inserted the disc into Blu-ray drive, run the Best Blu-ray Copy/Ripper and keep networked. Click “Load file” icon on the top left to import blu-ray.

After successful load, hit the main title recognized automatically you are able to preview the whole movie in the preview windows. 

2. Choose Directly Copy.

Click “Format” menu you will find lots of video formats listed. Here you are recommended to choose “Directly Copy” for output because it will copy the intact main movie from Blu-ray to M2TS at fast speed.




3. Backup/Copy with amazing speed.

Click the “Convert” button to start backing up Blu-ray to M2TS in original format without conversion. When finished, you will get a generated m2ts file and Open button will show you the location of it. 



Note: During backup, a conversion box will show you detailed information like exact progress, time elapsed, time left, estimated size, etc. Because of no recoding, 27.44GB blu-ray main movie backup just need about half an hour. Amazing speed for backuping up!

Another way to Backup entire Blu-ray:

Full Disc Copy is a good way to backup the entire Blu-ray disc. It is capable to 1:1 backup the whole blu-ray preserving original structure and chapter marks and you will get one folder containing BDMV and CERTIFICATE folder. If you want copy the entire blu-ray for backup or creating ISO file and DVD, you can try it now and see further reading about how to make Full Copy of Blu-ray

If you have no idea about how to play the generated m2ts files, you can count to the free VLCPlayer, which support various video formats and generated BDMV folder. And it has VLCPlayer for Mac available for Mac users.

Workflow is so easy and quick, and it will provide you intact main movie of Blu-ray to M2TS backup at fast speed. Now just go to enjoy it.

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